Forum

[jefrs]

Scalyback - if you can decide what size the thread is, what you're going to tap to, I can post the drilling size for the tap. If it is a bottomed hole, we used to grind the end of a HSS flat on the bench grinder (so it's essentially a router or milling tool), it will follow the original hole assuming it's close in size. You don't want to drill through whatever it is that is being greased; gauge the depth and set a stop (tape on drill bit). Measure twice, cut once.

[Adrian]

Excuse me for pointing this out, gents, but we somehow seem to have run up a TWO PAGE thread on grease-nipples...



A.

[Dennis C]

But Adrian, Grease nipples are fascinating.Shall we go for three ?.

[Adrian]

I'm very much afraid we will...

[Count Johnny]

Here's a start.

[Scalyback]

I don't want either of my bikes looking odd out in public with no nipples.



I only got to drill through the outer of the top of the centre stand anyway, can take spindle out. The spindle diameter thins in the middle portion, so perfect place for the grease nipple.

[ChrisD]

Hi all,
In a moment of weakness, when I last stripped the undercarriage of my 1996 500cc iron barrel, I fitted a grease nipple to the centre stand. There’s a little space (about 1mm) in the centre of the stand for it to project (the bolt is shouldered) and greasing works well.
As I recollect, I bought the 45’ angled nipple with 1/4 bsp (so the shop said) and had threads cut to suit in centre of the stand. But since the nipple is better steel than the Indian stand, if it didn’t fit, it would just cut its own threads anyway.
All you have to remember is to ensure that no more than ~1mm projects inside the stand when it is fitted - I also used one of the wave washers from the rockers to match the curve of the stand tube. You must then remember to unscrew the nipple that 1mm or so if you ever want to remove the stand again (don’t ask how I know not to forget that, but a 2lb club hammer finally succeeded!).
You also have to locate the nipple so it clears the rest of the undercarriage – especially if you’ve fitted one of our hosts “centre stand stop” (PN 35060) – to which incidentally I added a projecting bolt so I have a handle to rotate the stand stop for a perfect fit.
Cheers, ChrisD

[jefrs]

Should it not be possible to file off the end of the nipple so it does not protrude?

[Scalyback]

I assume these are the same universally? They have a spring that pushes on a ball bearing inside. This stops the grease from oozing out again, after you take the grease gun off. It's like a one way valve. My first encounter with one of these was on a Southern Railway ground signal. It seemed blocked, so being me, I drilled it out, only to realise my mistake later when the grease would always ooze out a bit after 'gunning'.



They are all like that aren't they?

[Dennis C]

"They are all like that aren't they?"

Yes but that probably won't stop the resident experts on everything dissagreeing.