Petrol taps & pipes

Petrol pipes were usually made from copper pipe with soldered unions and incorporated a single coil to combat fractures caused by vibration. Red Hunters were usually fitted with a braided flexible pipe, including the KH but some had a copper one. We can supply some pipes to the original design and can make others if dimensions and details of fittings are supplied. There are 42 petrol pipes listed between 1933 and 1958, any patterns for those not listed, gratefully received, a new one will be our gift to you in return. We can also supply a length of copper pipe and fittings for home assembly, please supply details. We can also supply a similar kit for flexible pipe with either crimp type ferules, for which a special crimping tool (TOOL-28) will be needed or with hose clips. Note that clear plastic pipe is not suitable for use with un-leaded fuel as it will deteriorate over a long period.

The threads on petrol taps are British Standard Pipe or BSP; the tank end size is given first. All four stroke Ariels use a 3/8″ BSP thread in the tank and a ¼” BSP thread on the tap outlet except the MKII with SU carburettor 1954-58, which used a 3/16” thread. BSP thread sizes are confusing because the size relates to the bore of the pipe, not to the actual thread size. All sizes are 19 TPI except the 1/8 size, which is 28. Nominal thread sizes are shown below. For a comprehensive list of petrol taps and their comparative sizes and applications, see our tech sheet here