This is the rubber 'T Piece' connector pipe nd ferrule fittings that was fitted to Norton OHV Singles from 1948-51 (i.e. upright gearbox models with the 1948 onwards OHV engine design, and including all 500T trials models) - that was fitted to the Oil Feed Return Pipe assembly, and was used to feed oil directly to the rockerbox on that engine type.
This is an exact replica of the original Norton T pipe, copied from an original Norton 'New Old Stock' T-piece connector, manufacutred from modern oil resistant Nitrile rubber. It also comes with good quality BSP plated ferrule fittings - of the correct size and type comparable with orginal Norton fittings (please note, it is best to use a crimping tool with these fittings to ensure a leakproof fit)
Price is for the 4 piece set: i.e. Nitrile T-Piece, 2 x 1/4 BSP ferrules and 1 x 3/16" ferrule.
Note: this listing is for the Nitrile rubber T-Piece with original style ferrule fittings (which normally require crimping). However, if you have your own fittings, or want to use lockwire or modern zip tie fittings instead - we also sell the same nitrile rubber T-piece on its own - See Item Listing 1304.
Background Information (Updated October 2025):
We are particularly pleased to be able to offer this product. I know it only looks small and insignificant - but if you own a 1948 onwards Model 18 or ES2, with newly updated (Edgar Franks designed) engine type and an upright gearbox - then you probably know that this particular OHV engine type was the first OHV model to employ a seperate oil feed to the rockerbox. And prior to the introduction to the 'Laydown' Norton gearbox (approximately 1950-51, but at which time the OHV and SV oil tank design was also amended) - then a special rubber 'T-Piece' was incorporated into the Oil Feed Return Pipe assembly, which allowed a seperate (3/16" OD) copper feed pipe to be routed directly to feed oil to the rockerbox.
As many owners of these models will be aware - over the years, the original Norton rubber T-pieces will wear and perish/split - particularly around the root of the 'T' . . . and although it may look like a quite easy piece to find - the original Norton design T-Piece is now extremely hard to find . . . and if you are lucky enough to find one, the chances are it will be long perished and not worth fitting!!
With this in mind (and with the prospect of shortly being able to offer complete Feed/Return OHV and SV upright gearbox oil pipe sets - expected for early 2026) - we decided to embark on the task of asking our specialist rubber manufacturers (who have made many of the special nitrile rubber parts we offer on our site) to make the moulds of the original Norton T-piece and remanufacture it exactly as the original design.
I am fortunate to have held back (from my own previous restorations) two original Norton T-Pieces from 1948-50 period . . . which I can just vaguely acquiring from an autojumble with my father sometime in the early 1970's!! Although I have used others since - one of these I always held back 'just in case!' - and it was this definitive example (along with another on an assembly to confirm dimensions) that was used as the pattern for the example shown here.
We paid careful attention to ensure both internal bore and external OD dimensions were copied exactly from the original - and actually - I asked the manufacturer to ensure that they even copied the tiny mould 'pimples'' that are visible on original Norton T-Pieces on one side (if you have an original T-Piiece . . . have a look for them, all original examples I have in my possession have these pimples - see the photos on this listing!).
The result is a very nice rubber T-piece that replicates the original Norton design exactly, and should last for many more years - important if you are concerned your original piece is shown signs of cracking or perishing.
Note - if you have a later 'laydown gearbox' OHV model - with the intrduction of this gearbox type they also revised the oiltank and fiitings - easily identifiable because the feed and return junctions came out of the oil tank at a 45 degree angle (unlike the horizontal exit of the upright gearbox). This later type also changed from a rubber T junction fitting to the rocker box, to a brass banjo fitting, that located behind the oil tank junction pipe fitting. At the moment we have no plans to replicate that later banjo type . .. but you can email us on our sales@raingvincent.co.uk if you wish - we will consider for the future.
As well as Norton's - many other manufcturers also used seperate feed pipes to rockerboxs or other oiling points. I am sure this fitting is similar (if not the same) as those fitted to other marques - so if you are checking if this T-piece will fit your application - both larger ends are designed for standard 1/4" BSP bore pipe, while the small T outlet is designed for 3/16" BSP pipe.
Final Note: As with so many of our parts - we take great effort to reproduce period parts just as per original, and only make them in small quantites. Because we use a top quality rubber manufacturing company - the initial outlay for drawings, moulds etc is considerable - and our final batch quantities are small - therefore, these may not seaem as cheap as other mass produced fittings sold by major auto factors - but please bear this in mind and hopefully you would prefer this, rather than them not being available at all And finally - we do not supply these parts to anyone else, so if you see similar T pieces advertised - they have not come from us!
