The best part about working on your bike...

swooshdave · Dec 14, 2020

...is the test ride after you are done.

Back a few months ago I noticed a bit of oil on my back wheel area. I traced it to the oil tank. Fearing the worse (split tank) I took everything apart. I had some worn out upper tank mounts so those got replaced. After thoroughly cleaning the tank there was no signs of any cracks. But the banjo seals (in this case aluminum washers) were very suspect. I put everything back together. As I like to do I omitted the bottom bolt and instead (like my other bike) used a thick silicone pad under the tank.

And then went for a test ride, otherwise known as an excuse to get out on the bike. Since I haven't found any oil where it shouldn't be I feel I have this issue resolved.

This was filmed in September back when we had some wildfires in the area. We did see some burned areas but nothing horrific. I'm sure it was plenty scary for the people living up in the hills as the fires got very close to some houses, although no houses were lost (at least in this area).

Thanks to @Mike T for filming this!

maylar · Dec 14, 2020

swooshdave said:
...is the test ride after you are done.

An old mechanic buddy once told me to never put your tools away until after the test ride.

Those aluminum washers can be replaced with Dowty washers. I got a box of assorted sizes from Amazon.

kommando · Dec 14, 2020

Yep, those aluminium washers slip out of position on the banjo, get chewed up on one side and stop sealing, dowty's grip the thread and stay in position and seal properly.

From a post I made a few years ago

Metric Dowty washers

M26 for the oil tank banjo, 2 off per tank.

M30 was for the large sump plug, 1 off per sump plug.

26 and 30 are the ID in mm.

seattle##gs · Dec 14, 2020

are these washers thicker than the stock washers? Any problems?

htown16 · Dec 14, 2020

Colorado Norton Works does a tank mod that will eliminate the cracking problem. Had it done to my 74.

kommando · Dec 14, 2020

seattle##gs said:
are these washers thicker than the stock washers? Any problems?

Yes and no.

EstuaryBoy · Dec 14, 2020

..... is the cheap labour rate

swooshdave · Dec 14, 2020

EstuaryBoy said:
..... is the cheap labour rate

Almost free!

swooshdave · Dec 14, 2020

maylar said:
An old mechanic buddy once told me to never put your tools away until after the test ride.

Those aluminum washers can be replaced with Dowty washers. I got a box of assorted sizes from Amazon.

I don't see any on Amazon big enough. M26 and M30 according to the other post.

Tornado · Dec 14, 2020

kommando said:
Yep, those aluminium washers slip out of position on the banjo, get chewed up on one side and stop sealing, dowty's grip the thread and stay in position and seal properly.

From a post I made a few years ago

Metric Dowty washers

M26 for the oil tank banjo, 2 off per tank.

M30 was for the large sump plug, 1 off per sump plug.

26 and 30 are the ID in mm.

Can you confirm M26mm ID? I can only find M24 & M27mm "bonded sealing washers" on-line, no M26.

swooshdave · Dec 14, 2020

Tornado said:
Can you confirm M26mm ID? I can only find M24 & M27mm "bonded sealing washers" on-line, no M26.

I found those sizes on eBay. Out of England no less. Probably because I search for Dowty!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bonded-Dowty-Seal-Self-Centering-Washer-GERMAN-METRIC/260755134924\

Not sure why bonded sealing washers are not popular in the US. Probably because we didn't design them...

alan hodge · Dec 14, 2020

best part? drinking beer and listening to classical music on the radio in my garage

Tornado · Dec 14, 2020

THx...seeing them on Ebay.ca....just not on Amazon.ca.

marshg246 · Dec 14, 2020

Searching for stat-o-seal will get many more hits than Dowty or bonded sealing washer.

texasSlick · Dec 14, 2020

seattle##gs said:
are these washers thicker than the stock washers? Any problems?

Some are thicker and will cause problems, especially on banjos. I use Dowty seals whenever the thickness allows.

Slick

Edit: look here for Dowty, or bonded seal sources

Useful Links: Universal Parts and Accessories

Lucas bullet (0.188) connectors: http://www.triple-c.com/Products.cfm?pa ... arch=lucas http://www.britishwiring.com/Bullets-Sn ... w=5&page=3 bullet (0.180 & 0.156) and other connectors: http://www.waytekwire.com Tube fittings, Dowty seals: http://www.fittingsandadapters.com/...

www.accessnorton.com

kommando · Dec 15, 2020

There is no ISO standard for Dowty washers unlike nut bolts washers bearings etc, the dimensions do vary by source so ask for a datasheet before purchasing if the source is a first time purchase.

I bought the M30 from here for the sump plug, they need winding over the thread on like the copper washer does once flattened by use.

Metric Self Centring Bonded Dowty Seals Washers

The bonded seal is a metal washer with a vulcanised rubber insert for use in high pressure applications where other means of sealing are unsuitable

www.advancedfluidsolutions.co.uk

maylar · Dec 15, 2020

Pretty sure I used a 1" size

Amazon product ASIN B07CKTP5TY

kommando · Dec 15, 2020

maylar said:
Pretty sure I used a 1" size

Amazon product ASIN B07CKTP5TY

In the UK at least the imperial sized ones are based on BSP pipe sizes, so bigger gaps between sizes and like on the petrol tap fittings 1/4" does not mean a washer with a 1/4" ID so again you need the datasheet.

Craig · Dec 15, 2020

I get mine through former Moto Guzzi dealer ..... would think all dealers would have access to them .... don’t use them on sump , never occurred to me , everywhere else they are needed though ...on all the bikes

EstuaryBoy · Dec 15, 2020

I just took the filter bolt and banjo to my local hydraulic hose factors.... No more than a couple of pence for the right size

The best part about working on your bike...

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