Oil Lines for 1946 EL Steel? Copper?

[sirhrmechanic]

Hi:

I am doing some light restoration work on my '46 EL. It has an oil filter fitted and several of the original steel lines have been replaced with braid lines. Those kind of need to go. For one thing, one rests on the exhaust header. And they look terrible.

Bending steel lines is kind of a nightmare. And when I did my '64 FLF, I could not get the aftermarket lines to fit worth a darn. I also spent a ton of time trying to get steel lines bent to fit and am still not happy with the result.

So wondering: A. Is there anyone who makes a "Good" aftermarket steel oil line kit that will fit an EL with oil filter. B. Has anyone done these lines in copper? I can bend copper like nobody's business, but in this application, will that stand up or am I asking for trouble (stress cracking?). My JD has copper fuel and oil lines and they give no trouble at all.

Any input or thoughts appreciated.

Cheers,

Sirhr

[Robert Luland]

http://www.denniscorso.com/index.htm

You can by direct from them. Hope this helps, Bob L

[BONES47FL]

Old Dude has oil lines with no fitment problems, as well...Bones

[Chris Haynes]

To answer your question, steel replaced copper in 1941.

[koanes]

Chris, Could you expand on what you know about copper vs steel in oil line construction? I just retubed a couple of early knuck top oil lines, one of which appeared to have been plated with nickle originally. Both lines were copper, but very rough. I have a nice oem line as well that is steel. To clarify my question, were the all the lines (gas, top oil, oil tank) copper tubed prior to 1941? Were any of these lines nickle plated? Thanks, Kyle

[Chris Haynes]

The lines were nickle washed, not electroplated. As far as I know now copper was used through 1941. I have a couple banjo top end oil lines that are copper and the remains of a 1938 type feed line that is also copper. H-D did sell replacement banjo lines made steel.

[sirhrmechanic]

Thanks all, especially Chris. That answers my questions!

I'll order a set of (US-Made) steel rather than try to bend up copper.

FYI, the "Dull" nickel or 'wash' plating is also known as Watts Nickel and can be replicated really, really closely by D&D Restorations plating shop in Ohio. We have British car oil/engine lines done in this dull nickel and it is a nice finish. D&D's plating is not inexpensive, but it is incredibly good!

Cheers,

Sirhr

[Steve Slocombe]

Dear Chris, that's an important piece of information for me, so please let me know where the 1941 date comes from.

Dear Sirhr, I know the VL oil lines are flat nickel plated copper, like the JD, and have been trying to reproduce them but the soft copper tends to crush in the hand oiler line loop. If you're a whiz, how about bending up some VL oil lines for me in copper? Please Email me separately off this forum if interested.

The other wrinkle is that the 0140 oil line nipple nuts do not have the step on them for the VL. I've been cutting down the later style Colony nuts, but maybe there's another way to go. Chris, do you also know when Harley changed from the unstepped to the stepped oil line nipple nuts?

I've previously been misled by having nos steel VL hand oiler lines sprayed with silver paint. Thinking about it, these must be wartime production when Harley had no copper and no nickel. I feel so much better for getting these pieces of trivia off my chest! Thanks guys, seasonal greetings and best regards.

[Chris Haynes]

[QUOTE=Steve Slocombe;104835]Dear Chris, that's an important piece of information for me, so please let me know where the 1941 date comes from.
It comes from personal observation by looking at original machines over the years.

Chris, do you also know when Harley changed from the unstepped to the stepped oil line nipple nuts?
Nope....

[Steve Slocombe]

Thanks Chris and I'll try to keep my eyes open for these features when looking at original bikes from 1936 on.

[Chris Haynes]

Thanks Chris and I'll try to keep my eyes open for these features when looking at original bikes from 1936 on.

A magnet helps.

[Matt McManus]

I have seen several original 1941's with aluminum oil lines on OHV and UL models

[Chris Haynes]

I have never seen an aluminum oil line on any stock H-D.

[Matt McManus]

I have personalluy had two 1941's that had aluminum oil lines an EL and UL. I also know of an original paint oil line that has aluminum oil lines. I have talked about this with others in the past and it seem that a lot of people that have had original 1941 model bikes stated that they had aluminumoil lines.

[Chris Haynes]

I also know of an original paint oil line that has aluminum oil lines.

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