Manifold Nipple Repair Plan

[montuckymatt]

Hi Cotten,
Sure enough you did. I got a set from you last fall. They have performed flawlessly.
I had a previous set of cylinders from Paul that also leaked around both nipples. He stood by his work and replaced the cylinders free of charge. Unfortunately, he must not bench test them as the new ones leaked as well. After reading some of the other posts, im just happy I got my cylinders back at all.

[T. Cotten]

... That paired with a set of cottonsmanifold PEEK seals have me back on the road...

Did I cut you a set, Matt?

I'm not sure. These were a paul friebus mod aka big port cylinder set. Front cylinder has been fine rear leaked around the nipple after 100 miles. I think the fresh paint was what kept it from leaking initially. Now fluid weld is doing the job....so far so good.

So Mr. P didn't test his benchwork, Matt?

Cutting threads into the casting too deep shouldn't matter, as it is the back of the larger portion of the nipple that should butt up against a face cut upon the casting. Preferably with a thin lip like a Knuck.

At least his rivets sealed?

....Cotten

[montuckymatt]

I'm not sure. These were a paul friebus mod aka big port cylinder set. Front cylinder has been fine rear leaked around the nipple after 100 miles. I think the fresh paint was what kept it from leaking initially. Now fluid weld is doing the job....so far so good.

[govmule84]

Gov, thanks for posting this thread and I look forward to hearing updates. I've been battling similar problems with a leaking rear nipple on mine as well. Currently I was able to seal up a couple of small nipple leaks with fluid weld. That paired with a set of cottonsmanifold PEEK seals have me back on the road. I'm worried about longevity though. I plan on a more long term solution of pulling the nipples and installing new as soon as the weather turns if need be. Unfortunately looking at mine it seems that the threads for the KR nipples were cut too deep as the threaded nipples dont have a shoulder to press against and seal. Cheers!

How are those supposed to seal? I'm unfamiliar with them.

[montuckymatt]

Gov, thanks for posting this thread and I look forward to hearing updates. I've been battling similar problems with a leaking rear nipple on mine as well. Currently I was able to seal up a couple of small nipple leaks with fluid weld. That paired with a set of cottonsmanifold PEEK seals have me back on the road. I'm worried about longevity though. I plan on a more long term solution of pulling the nipples and installing new as soon as the weather turns if need be. Unfortunately looking at mine it seems that the threads for the KR nipples were cut too deep as the threaded nipples dont have a shoulder to press against and seal. Cheers!

[T. Cotten]

Yes, Gov,...

Antique stuff is different.

And I agree it would be a bad career choice.

It was for me.

....Cotten

[govmule84]

I didn't understand your point regarding family or a local customer as it relates to due time. I meant that I would report back at a time in the future after things have some time to settle and bed in, whether for better or worse.

I think the issue with antique stuff is that unlike modern motorcycles where OEM parts are readily available and "replace with known good part" is not very hard, antiques have a pretty broad range of conditions and a wide spread of owner expectations. It's rare a modern motorcycle has seen much fckery, and thus they're often just generally more straightforward to repair.

At least that's been my experience. There are occasional jobs I'll do on older motorcycles, but I get kind of picky about them. If I can't make money, then my wrenches can rest.

[T. Cotten]

...I'm not sure what you mean about the "due time," sir. ..

Weren't those your words, Gov?

No matter how long it takes, please let us know how it goes...

It may not be sudden.

....Cotten
PS:

... I'm not sure I would make repair of antiques a business venture....

You would have to be out of your mind,.. trust me on that.

[govmule84]

I gotta ask, Gov,....

Is this for yourself, or a customer, or ?

Gawd forbid its family, or even local: The 'due time' is forever.

....Cotten

Personal bike. I'm not sure I would make repair of antiques a business venture. Modern bikes? Different story; work on those for cash often.

I'm not sure what you mean about the "due time," sir.

I'll check back in with more miles and months under my belt; success or failure is immaterial. We learn by way of many data points. My engine will be a data point for someone else.

[T. Cotten]

Right on. Thanks for the input.

I'll report back in due time.

I gotta ask, Gov,....

Is this for yourself, or a customer, or ?

Gawd forbid its family, or even local: The 'due time' is forever.

....Cotten

[sny]

Good to know. Thanks for posting your results.

Copper didn't work out for a few reasons. I tried a few ways and a few forms, and it just wasn't working.

Next up was the Gasoila E-seal. This stuff is... awesome. I called one of their chemists and talked to him for a minute, and he seemed to think this would be no problem for their product, which was apparently developed for far more demanding situations.

I cleaned everything up with alcohol and let it sit for a day, then applied the E-seal, then let it cure for 24 hrs. Made a rivet plug of E-seal and capped it with RTV, let that cure, then hit it with another cap.

Held to 15 pounds. I put the bike back together with Bruce's PEEK intake seals and took it for a ride, seems to be doing just fine after some carby dialing. I got a retorque on the head bolts today. I wanna get some miles on it, but for right now, it appears as though this was my magic bullet.

Time will tell.

[govmule84]

Right on. Thanks for the input.

I'll report back in due time.

[T. Cotten]

I think we have a basic disagreement on problem solving.

The original method of sealing these that HD used is not up to snuff for me. You seem to be recommending... just doing it that way.

I never said that, Gov!

Even Indian used a sealer.

And my rivet suggestion is quite different.

Again, I wish you good luck for the long run.

....Cotten

[govmule84]

I think we have a basic disagreement on problem solving.

The original method of sealing these that HD used is not up to snuff for me. You seem to be recommending... just doing it that way.

That's a foregone conclusion. Doing the same thing over and over again that doesn't work in the hopes that one day it will is not how I operate.

To recap:

• E-seal is a different product than what you tested. It is literally designed for fittings used at filling stations per Gasoila's chemist. Presumably, they understand that gasoline can act as a solvent.
• Immersion is not the same as exposure.
• Bruce's rings seem to be sealing up just fine, and he certainly seems to sell a lot of them. I have no plans to slag him or his product. You're free to do so whereever you like, but given that (presumably) we're all here because we like old bikes, I'd ask maybe you not do that on this thread because it's A) counterproductive and B) not real cool.

[T. Cotten]

My philosophy is to not give P4gas anything to eat, Gov!

If you can help it. Because somewhere or someday some fuel or combination of fuels, plus Time, will eat anything it can.

Unless Bruce is here to see my observations, I'll only wish you better luck than his that cross my benches.

....Cotten