Making Custom Oil Lines

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Making Custom Oil Lines

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Making Custom Oil Lines - 7/3/2005 6:50:56 AM

HDF Tech

Posts: 14559
Joined: 5/14/2005
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Submitted by Skip: (pococj)

Most folks go to the braided stainless stuff when they customize. That's OK, but it's pretty commonplace now. Here's a cheaper alternative to try:

Get some clear braided nylon tubing. It comes in 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8 inch sizes, just right for most fuel and oil line applications. Buy some Rit clothing dye at the local grocery store. Cut the tubing to the lengths needed. Score one of your ol’ lady’s kitchen pots (stainless seems to work better than aluminum) big enough to put the tubing in, slap it on the stove top, add the dye, heat it up (don't boil), and start sluicing the tubing thru the dye. Keep the tubing covered and let it soak until you get a darker shade than desired. Pull it out, let it drain, and wipe it down. The dye will soak thru the braids and soak into the plastic as well.

I've made both oil lines and fuel lines. Sometimes the gas "dissolves" the dye in the fuel lines and it reverts to clear; sometimes it stays colored. Haven't exactly figured out why, but I s‘pose it has to do with the dye not completely penetrating the reinforcing threads. But the oil lines will stay colored for the life of the lines. You can contrast or match the color of your bike. Use some fancy hose clamp ends and you'll have a nice custom touch added to your bike.

< Message edited by TCSTD -- 7/3/2005 10:49:27 AM >