TE 250/310 outter Oil line protection guard.

[robertaccio]

Thanks for reminding me Reveille. I sometimes forget why a Michigan guy for example may spend hours in his garage polishing alloy bits only to eventually (months later after the thaw) go out and thrash his bike in the woods...

 

[Johnrg]

Why not just extend the existing style shield up a few inches (double the height/top of cylinder) with a brace/tab added that mounts to the engine mount and another case screw and shaped to deflect? Granted makes oil servicing a PIA...

 

[stretchrcr]

This is not the torn off hose crash damage issue or even a failure at all, you had a banjo bolt come loose, that is a maintenance issue, or an OEM torque issue, nothing failed. (not a broken bolt, leaking hose fitting or stripped threads etc)

Agreed, but the vulnerability of the exposed line is what I'd like to address. While the cause of the failure I experienced is a little less obvious compared to the examples where the line is severed, the result is the same. After the TC failure which I suspect was due to an impact from my boot, I went and closely inspected my brand new TE310 and found it to be tight. However, with a few impacts with my bare hand I was able to knock it loose and remove the banjo bolt. There’s a lot of leverage on the top bolt via the oil line and if it’s moved, even slightly, it can begin leaking and even fall out. I drilled and safety wired the bolts to the line so at least they wouldn’t be able to turn more than a few degrees. That makes me much more comfortable, but rerouting the line so it’s completely protected would be ideal. I’m not down on these bikes, in fact I absolutely love my 310, I just think this is something that can be protected and this is a great place to discuss creative solutions.

 

[Johnrg]

Safety wire is a good solution for the banjo. Any road race prep mandates all fluid fasteners and brake stay bolts to be wired. I would think also if one sleeved some short hose over the oil line and secured with safety wire it may help pull the line in

 

[Laura]

Since starting this thread, this is my third oil line (the second one got a kink in it somehow) and I really wanted peace of mind that this problem wouldn't happen again. I hate having to look down every time I go through some knarly stuff. Thanks to everyone for sharing thoughts and ideas. Frankly I don't give a damn about whether this problem happens to one of us or 1000 of us. It cost me a whole pile of money to fix, and if I/we can help save one other person from having to go through this, then some good has come from this thread.

 

[Mike-AK]

The external oil line was a stupid idea in my opinion. They pared down the weight of the X-Lite, sacrificing dependability and durability, yet the overall weight of the bike is not significantly different than other bikes in its class. I'd rather have had the engine weigh 3 or 4 pounds more and had more durable bearings, a secondary oil pump, and internal oil galleries. I don't think separate crankcase and transmission oil sumps are too much to ask for either. I personally think separate oil supplies for the engine, transmission, and clutch would be a good idea. Friction modifiers would be good for the engine and gearbox.

 

[Tinken]

I can fix this.

 

[Mike-AK]

I can fix this.

"My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools."

 

[Motosportz]

The external oil line was a stupid idea in my opinion. They pared down the weight of the X-Lite, sacrificing dependability and durability, yet the overall weight of the bike is not significantly different than other bikes in its class. I'd rather have had the engine weigh 3 or 4 pounds more and had more durable bearings, a secondary oil pump, and internal oil galleries. I don't think separate crankcase and transmission oil sumps are too much to ask for either. I personally think separate oil supplies for the engine, transmission, and clutch would be a good idea. Friction modifiers would be good for the engine and gearbox.

The last generation was pretty much that. People said it was to heavy. (it did still have a external oil line though)

 

[Tinken]

I like the external oil line on the 310. The oil line to the crank and transmission is internal, just above the oil filter. I have an external line on my 525 MXC, never had a problem with it and it makes life simple for oil coolers.

 

[joedirt]

The external oil line was a stupid idea in my opinion. They pared down the weight of the X-Lite, sacrificing dependability and durability, yet the overall weight of the bike is not significantly different than other bikes in its class. I'd rather have had the engine weigh 3 or 4 pounds more and had more durable bearings, a secondary oil pump, and internal oil galleries. I don't think separate crankcase and transmission oil sumps are too much to ask for either. I personally think separate oil supplies for the engine, transmission, and clutch would be a good idea. Friction modifiers would be good for the engine and gearbox.

there are other bikes out there with what you are asking for...you should buy one.

 

[Johnrg]

and buy extra head gaskets too!

 

[Mike-AK]

there are other bikes out there with what you are asking for...you should buy one.

I'll decide what I should or shouldn't do, but thanks for your opinion.

 

[Tim Randall]

What's the fix in mind Tinken?

 

[rabskyline]

I'll make something for this, as soon as I seen it when the xlite came out, it was obvious that it was an accident waiting to happen and render people stuck in the middle of nowhere or with a big repair bill.

Where we ride is sometimes very overgrown, tight single trail with lots of branch stubs that have been broken, cut, snapped etc and they will skewer a radiator easily(seen a few) and rip this wiener of a hose clean off and leave you buggered ! I've also seen one that taken an obvious few hits and has damage so it's certainly vulnerable.
A steel snapped one would be perfect if it contoured the head and block so it's in tight and also solid .

As I see it, it doesn't need a cage or covering up, it just needs a deflector to push anything past it as you move forward, that me a systems one is the right idea, it'll push a branch away from and around it.
Hats easy or make, il be into it at the weekend !

 

[Kenneth Webb]

Sounds like a good accessory for one our sponsors to design and market. Luckily I ride in rocks, sand and cactus so chances of ripping the line are low, but insurance would be good to have.

 

[rabskyline]

I made up a little guard, needs to be smoother curves and a bit wider at top and middle but would work, took me an hour yesterday.

I've painted it black but won't fit it, I'll make a better one off this as a basic template.

 

[AlwynMike]

I made up a little guard, needs to be smoother curves and a bit wider at top and middle but would work, took me an hour yesterday.

I've painted it black but won't fit it, I'll make a better one off this as a basic template.

Looks almost as good as your Avatar

 

[Kenneth Webb]

Looks almost as good as your Avatar

Nah, not even close. That avatar could blow the lid off a dead man's casket!

 

[Jimmy250]

Why not just extend the existing style shield up a few inches (double the height/top of cylinder) with a brace/tab added that mounts to the engine mount and another case screw and shaped to deflect? Granted makes oil servicing a PIA...

View attachment 37239

Anyone know the part # for
the banjo bolt, cracked mine last week