'32 VL Hand oil pump operation

[Steve Swan]

Thanks, Steve, and Steve!

Both oil lines are leaking at the connection to the tank. My first job was to drain the oil from the tank and inspect the fittings. I understand the connections are originally soldered in. I don't want to break the solder joints by over-tightening. Any ideas on eliminating the leaks? I haven't drained the tank yet. Once I do, I'll loosen and look at the fittings. Someone recommended
TFC dope. I have no idea what that is though. Is it a lubricant to prevent the threads from seizing, or something to seal the threads?

Anyway, I started to fiddle with the hand pump - shiny object distraction. And that's when I noticed it didn't extend from the closed position.

Good information on the recommendations regarding efficient use of the hand pump.

-Loch

i believe TFC dope is the white teflon tape that plumbers use for sealing pipe threads? i use this white teflon tape to seal the threads of ferrule joints of where the oil pipes connect to engine and tank. if you don't have a roll, you should be able to source it at the hardware store.

[loch]

Thanks, Steve, and Steve!

Both oil lines are leaking at the connection to the tank. My first job was to drain the oil from the tank and inspect the fittings. I understand the connections are originally soldered in. I don't want to break the solder joints by over-tightening. Any ideas on eliminating the leaks? I haven't drained the tank yet. Once I do, I'll loosen and look at the fittings. Someone recommended
TFC dope. I have no idea what that is though. Is it a lubricant to prevent the threads from seizing, or something to seal the threads?

Anyway, I started to fiddle with the hand pump - shiny object distraction. And that's when I noticed it didn't extend from the closed position.

Good information on the recommendations regarding efficient use of the hand pump.

-Loch

[Steve Slocombe]

Steve is right, and sometimes it helps to unscrew the threaded top collar from the tank a few turns. The hand pump on the VL is more or less a relic and used only for putting fresh oil in the cases after draining them. Any advice in the handbook to put in extra pumps for deep wading or long hills can usually be ignored, as the throttle controlled mechanical pump does the work. However, the hand pump can still cause you grief, as it works with a simple ball and spring check valve at the bottom. On an older bike this can drain oil into the crankcases when standing, and confuse you into thinking the mechanical pump needs adjusting. Remove the hand oil line and check for drips, then pump the remaining oil into a can and remove that check valve for service.

[Steve Swan]

loch, idk if the VL hand pump is same as JD, but if it is, then there is a pin in the bottom, and a notch in knob that needs to align with notch in order to pull up the pump rod/ Hope this might help.

[loch]

Basic question, I'm going through the '32 VL. I am somewhat unfamiliar with it. I expected the hand oil pump to operate similar to the fuel valve on our '50 FL, e.g., twist the knob counter clockwise and then pull up to release the reserve fuel. In this case, twist to release the rod for pumping action. But looking at the photo and diagram in Steve's book, the hand oil pump rod doesn't appear to be threaded at the bottom. When I pull the knob up it doesn't move. I will only rotate. I've also rotated the knob with a slight upward pressure with no luck.

First I need to understand how it supposed to operate when functioning correctly.