Oil cooler fittings

[saaz]

Ok, a general question...

I just fitted a cooler off a newer bike that originally had banjo fittings. I put in 14mm x 1.5pitch adapters to convert to a barbed fitting to clamp on hoses. There is a slight annoying leak out from the threaded fitting that thread tape and gasket sealer does not totally stop. As the original fitting had a banjo and washers for both sides of the banjo fitting I assume I will have to fit some sort of washer/fibre washer to seal it as the taper thread and sealant does not totally work.

Any other ideas? It is a low pressure GS1000 setup.

[Anonymous]

Get some old hoses off a bike that had banjos. They need to have a longish plain pipe after the banjo but before the flexible hose. Cut off the flexible part of the assembly leaving a banjo with a plain section of pipe on it. Clean it up thoroughly and you should be able to attach your hose to the banjo using normal hose clips.

I used this method many years ago on a GPZ900R (plain bearing, high pressure) and it worked fine. The original pipe cracked and the Kwak part was a silly price. I bought a set of hoses intended as replacements for a fraction of the price, and they came just as plain hoses with hose clips, the intent being to fit them as above. It does work fine. I doubled up the hose clips, but probably didn't need to.

Hope this helps.

[saaz]

Thanks. I had thought of this, but as the cooler is set up as full flow I have some doubts about the flow capacity of the banjo bolts I have. But I will think about it....

[Anonymous]

Of course the ideal solution is to get an M14x1.5 male adaptor from the parallel thread to a barbed hose fitting, and use a Dowty seal (Bonded washer) to seal the fitting.
I've learnt from long experience with pipe fittings that someone, somewhere out there will make the correct item. Its just a question of finding them!
You will never get a taper thread fitting to seal reliably in a parallel thread.
Industrial suppliers will be your best bet. Also you may need to use 2 parts, for instance:
1 x M14/ 3/8 NPT (or whatever) male/female and
1 x barbed/ 3/8 NPT male/male

On the banjo flow issue, you could test their flow rate by hanging a 2 litre pop bottle, full of water, upside down attached to a piece of the pipe you're going to use. Time how long it takes to empty.
Then fit one of the banjos into the line and time it again.
The absolute figures don't matter (because there are too many difference between the test and reality) but you will know the percentage difference caused by the banjos and can then decide if this is acceptable. The head of pressure should be no more than the system pressure, even on a GS, as long as you don't use 30 foot of pipe!
I wouldn't have thought the banjos would have caused a significant restriction in flow myself.

[saaz]

Yep, I am going looking tomorrow for ideal solutions!

The banjo bolt only has two smallish holes to feed into the cooler, vs one large one with the barbed fitting. As the GS needs flow rather than pressure, I am erring on the side of caution.

After 20 years of no need to fix anything, I suppose this and having to redo the carbs is suitable punishment!! An annoying oil leak around the copper head stud washers is also extra pennance..the bike is complaining about mu lack of attention in recent decades!!!

[Anonymous]

I admire a man who can resist the urge to meddle! Just ride!

[saaz]

I have gone crazy..also going to replace the coils! The bikes need some cosmetic attention and a good clean....