1972 B50 SS - getting closer to restart, but need help on lot of little things

DAVE BRADY · 13 May, 2025, 18:14:51

Hi,

You probably know that there is a range of 5/16 bore copper pipe fittings available. Perhaps playing with a selection of 90º and 45º angles may help to formulate a better arrangement.

Dave.

ReturntoFlight · 14 May, 2025, 22:29:39

Yeah - haven't seen small diameter soft copper fittings - I may not know what I'm thinking about. Have seen extraordinary devices in the aerospace world (satellites, rocket motors, etc) - probably need to find some small brass/bronze Ts and experiment a bit.

Others must have been through this when setting up to feed from the rear of the frame in addition to the front?

Different topic - here's a photo of my clutch - are the springs at about the right height? Still have to wire the adjusting screws.

ReturntoFlight · 16 May, 2025, 23:02:42

I'm going to keep posting - hoping for kind souls to comment!

So, simply did not like the look of the oil feed T above the frame. Agonized over trying to improve fit below - decided to shorten the side to the T going into the engine feed pipe a bit - half of the barbs - in order to move the T further towards the engine - hope it holds. Then cut the bash plate a bit to get sufficient clearance to be able to install it - the T clamps rest against it, but I can install the plate. Hated doing this, but it just looked so bad above the frame.

Attaching photos of installed - will continue to futz with it to improve look. While the oil hose to the rear of the frame will hang below the frame crossmember, it should generally be clear of road debris? I don't think there is room to put a 90° on it ... a T with a 90° turning up would be perfect :-)

Thoughts?

rhyatt · 17 May, 2025, 06:13:29

looks neat enough every time i start my bike i check the oil return

ReturntoFlight · 17 May, 2025, 16:02:55

Thanks, rhyatt.

Off the beaten path ... stumbled on several threads re advisability of using alloy float valve needle vs brass ... mine is still brass ... worth swapping? Would wait until I had it running, again, though.

rhyatt · 17 May, 2025, 16:57:31

As long as the float needle has the viton tip.

ReturntoFlight · 17 May, 2025, 19:15:31

It does - and, the thing ran so well - prior to me shutting it off to investigate what I think was lack of oil flow - hesitant to change anything right now.

ReturntoFlight · 17 May, 2025, 20:24:20

Update on center stand!

OIF Triumph stand appears to work perfectly - had tried the BSA part (83-3170), was new build - was so touchy it would roll off even pushed with one finger.

Read lots on here and other places that the OIF Triumph 83-2627 center stand worked well. Contacted The Bonneville Shop in US - fellow said had not heard of it, but since they had good prices, I bought it.

Photos should show perfect fit and stance - front tire touching but can turn the bar with some effort, and rear tire is about 2.5" off the floor.

Dan_B33 · 23 May, 2025, 21:00:24

All looks splendid.
Central stand looks perfect fit.
All so clean like surgeons room.

When I grow up I wanna be You.

Inspiring indeed.

Looking forward to see it running.

Dan

ReturntoFlight · 27 May, 2025, 18:46:04

Thanks, Dan.

Forced holiday with wife, so starting to itch to get back to it.

Do most folks with center stands remove the side stand? Given the ease of getting it on the center stand, I don't see much need for the side?