DIY Network

'48 Indian Motorcycle: Oil and Fuel Lines; Safety Bars From "Classic Rides" episode DCLR-308

Chris Matthews installs the new fuel lines on the '48 Indian.

Now that the fuel tanks are on, Chris and Craig can do a final install on the oil and fuel lines. The oil lines run from the tanks to the engine, and back. The fuel lines run from the tanks to the carburetor.

Materials and tools:

complete set of SAE or metric line wrenches
MIG welder
welding safety gear
new fuel lines
new oil lines
teflon tape

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Following is a summary of the basic steps for these installations, as seen in Classic Rides, episode 308.

Note: This is a summary of steps included in the automotive restoration procedures shown in this episode of Classic Rides. These are general guidelines for restoration procedures on this particular make and model of motorcycle, and for the level of restoration selected for this project. There may be variations in procedures depending model, condition of vehicle, level of restoration undertaken and the types of replacement parts or upgrade kits selected. Always follow proper safety precautions, and read and follow manufacturer's guidelines, diagrams and safety notices that come with any replacement parts or kit that you select.

	New fuel lines, installed

Oil and Fuel Lines

• Set the fuel lines in place and finger-tighten them onto the fuel tanks and carburetor pick ups. Be careful when threading on the connections that they do not cross-thread.

• Using the line wrench, tighten all the connections.

• Now you can move over to the oil lines. Just like with the fuel, attach them by hand first.

• A line will run from the tanks to the engine, then from the engine back to the tanks.

• With all the lines set and finger tight, go back and tighten them with a line wrench.

• On the oil side, we also install a breather line and the drain petcock. On both of these we also will be using Teflon tape on the threads. This will help create and tight seal.

• Tip: The key to using Teflon tape is to thread it on in a direction so when the piece is tightened the tape does not bunch up. The easy way to do this is to apply the tape in the opposite direction of how the thread tightens.

• The breather threads up into the tank, as does the drain.

• Snug these with a line wrench and we are set.

Safety Bars and Horn

We encountered a problem with our safety bars: they were cracked, which would make them unsafe. Luckily Chris Matthews is able to weld them so that they'll be as good as new. Once the safety bar is repaired, we install it along with the horn.

• The first step is to repair the crack that we found on the mounting bracket.

• We lay some tape around the edges of the crack. This will prevent any welding splatter to get on the chrome bar. The rest of the Safety bar can be covered with welding glove.

• Set the MIG welder to the correct voltage and feed, and then lay a bead down on the crack. Once the crack is filled, let the bar cool and it is ready for installation.

• The Safety bar is held to the frame of the bike with u-bolts. So set the bar in place, and the u-bolt will go around the frame and pass through the mounting bracket.

• Place all the U-bolts and thread a lock-washer and nut on each bolt, then tighten them evenly with a wrench.

• The horn mounts to the frame of the bike, near the upper mounting point of the safety bar.

• Two bolts hold the horn on, set them in place and then tighten.

RESOURCES :

Welders
Lincoln Electric
Website: www.lincolnelectric.com

Kiwi Indian
Website: www.kiwi-indian.com

V-Twin Mfg.
Rims, Spokes, Hubs, Tire Irons and Truing Stand
Website: www.vtwinmfg.com

Motorcycle Lift
Handy Lift
Website: www.handy-lift.com

Various Tools
Eastwood
Website: www.eastwoodco.com

Hepavac Asbestos Vacuum
Bullseye
Website: www.bullseyecorp.com

Parts Washer
Safety Kleen
Website: www.safety-kleen.com

Chrome Polish
G & H Metal Finishers
282 Dakota St.
Paterson, NJ 07503

Belt Grinder
Ellis Manufacturing
Website: www.ellissaw.com

Powder Coating Shop
Best Signs
Phone: 865-922-5247
E-mail: bestsigns@tds.net

Coker Classic White Wall Tires, Tubes and Spoke Covers
Coker Tires
Website: www.coker.com

Gaskets/Headers
James Gaskets
Website: www.jamesgaskets.com