Cylinder Wall Oiling System

[Orgasmatron]

Does anyone have (or can tell me where to find) a diagram of the cylinder wall oiling system that fits under the fuel tank, so that I can put it back together correctly.
I seem to have most of the bits (but perhaps not) and it would appear that the sprung plunger is operated by cable and (perhaps or perhaps not) a lever on the handlebars.
I had a look at Technicalities and various photographs of TT Reps, but can’t find anything.
Some of the fittings don’t make a lot of sense to me (but then neither does the meaning of life, the universe and everything – I know the answer is eleven, but I even struggle with the answer) ; questions like, ‘how do I seal off the cable exit from the cap on the oil tube to stop it leaking oil?’- ‘what type of lever is used to operate it – if indeed a lever is used?’- ‘are the Grays responsible for the madness currently affecting humans – especially politicians – I saw the movie, so I know about these things’.
A bit of input from those in the know, would be greatly appreciated (feel free to comment about the Grays as well).
Chris.

[BRIAN MARSHALL]

Hi Chris, On four works TT bikes I have blanked off the system by various means, but kept all the pipework and operating lever, cable, etc., so that it looks all original. If restored to original spec. they do leak, and there is always a risk of enough oil seeping into the cylinders to cause a ‘hydraulic lock’ and serious engine damage. the lever on the handlebars is the same as the valve-lifter lever on a four-stroke bike of the era, and on the left-hand side. I’m just about to do the same on my current rebuild, a December 1928 TT Rep.
Now the Greys, (Grays only if you are American). When I was in the RAF Regiment I was an anti-aircraft gunner, using Oerlikon twin-barrelled, 35mm, radar-controlled guns.
The subject of UFOs, “Flying Saucers”, etc., was part of the training, and we were shown a series of blurry 1950s (?) aircraft gun camera film clips of ‘things’, but everything was covered by the Official Secrets Act, and we were clearly being given only a very limited amount of information on a ‘need to know’ basis. “The Truth is Out There…”

[chris wastell]

I’m afraid I don’t really know anything about cylinder wall oiling but I am going quite gray (grey) 🙁

[Orgasmatron]

Brian,
I was seriously considering blanking off the system, so will do as you suggest (with internal non-visible plugs of some sort).
However, I still need a diagram to indicate how it should be put together, so that it looks original.
With regard to the Greys, the movie was American, hence ‘gray’.
Chris.

[BRIAN MARSHALL]

You don’t need any internals, just a pipe coming out of the front end and a cable into the rear end, all sealed with Araldite or something similar, then put the internal gubbins into a polythene bag, to go into the toolbox to be handed over to a future owner, who may be masochistic enough to want to restore it to working order ! At least the history of the bike is preserved for the future, and it all looks correct and original.

[Orgasmatron]

I seem to have all (or most) of the bits, so I might as well try and put it together.
The only grey (gray?!!) area is the sprung plunger, which has a leather cup on one end and the hole to take the cable nipple the other end. Mine has a black threaded plastic spacer, which the spring rests against at the rear of the plunger (the spring rests on a washer at the front of the plunger) but this obviously needs to screw into a spacer tube that will allow the plunger sufficient travel to work ; it would need to be very thin walled.
Alternatively and possibly preferably, I could get a tube made up (3/8″ id and 3/4″ od) to act as a spacer for the plunger to run in. I would need to know the correct length though.
Suggestions anyone?
Chris.

[BRIAN MARSHALL]

Hi Chris, Have you got the threaded brass thing that has a captive ball bearing in one end, that acts as a one-way valve? On one of my 1928 TT bike restorations all the internals of the cylinder wall oiling pump were missing, and Richard Blackburn supplied me with all the missing items.
Brian

[Orgasmatron]

Brian,
I appear to have everything other than the spacer previously mentioned. The non-return valve is located at the outlet, where the feed pipe is screwed in.
I also found (in the box that held all the cylinder wall oiling system parts) a plastic sleeve, which is made from a sheet of plastic and the joint simply butted ; surely, this cannot be the spacer.
I don’t think that Richard has any parts left.
Chris.

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