Silca or Vintage Pump Repair: Replacing the leather gasket
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
- Cheap fix for most Silca or Vintage Pumps
If you are restoring a Silca pump or vintage pump that fails to pump air, in most cases you can repair the pump by replacing the old leather gasket. We show you how this is done to fix pump as well as a quick DYI cleanup of the inside of the cylinder itself.
1. The first step is to remove the cylinder cap either by unscrewing the cap or removing several bolts that hold the cap on. Remove the piston and examine the gasket for wear (irregular edge, fraying, tears, general wear).
2. To order the correct size replacement gasket, measure the cylinder inside diameter, preferable with calipers rather then a straight edge ruler, to obtain an accurate measurement. Order the replacement leather gasket a few millimeters larger (replacement cost is often under $5). How does one insert a larger gasket into a slightly smaller cylinder opening? Leather treatment will allow the needed flexibility as well as seal around the gasket as one uses the pump.
3. Remove the old floor pump gasket which is held on by a hex nut and the associated washers. After removal, clean the end of the piston, washers and hex nut. I use rubbing alcohol on a clean cloth and stay away from degreasers since any unseen residual degreaser will degrade the replacement leather gasket.
4. To condition the gasket, one can use leather boot conditioner such as mink oil, Bicks, Obenauf's Heavy, or other leather conditioner. Vaseline or a light synthetic motor oil will also work. Rub the condition into the gasket until it become soft. Go slowly, working in the conditioner until the gasket can easily be turned it inside out. Takes about 15 - 20 minutes - continually adding more conditions and rubbing firmly.
5. Clean the inside of the cylinder itself with some rubbing alcohol. I use more rubbing alcohol on the end of the sleeve of an old long sleeve shirt and an old coat hanger that has been straightened. I then push end of the sleeve portion into the cylinder with the coat hanger and turn the shirt sleeve as I withdraw the sleeve.
6. Once you leather gasket is flexible, re-attach the gasket, washer and hex nut. Tighten the nut firmly but don't use gorilla force or you'll damage the gasket.
7. Replace the piston with the new treated gasket by carefully working the gasket, at an angle, into the cylinder and the straighten the plunger and lower the piston into the pump as in the video.
In most cases, such floor pump service will restore pump without the need for an expensive repair kit. One should check and recondition the leather gasket as part of you bicycle maintenance. Now you're ready to fill your bike tires and go cycling
I have the newer superpista pump, really like how it can be rebuilt. Burnt through a lot of cheaper pumps that aren’t fixable
Silca Pista Plus is a great pump that should last a life time (and therefore worth the cost). Rebuild kits and parts are readily available from Silca. Good choice. Regards and safe cycling, Tony
Holy moly thank you sir I never knew you could buy new leather gaskets for old bicycle
I dunno how many I've come across over the years but threw away because I didn't know you could buy a new gasket
You can purchase them on-line from Amazon and a number of different sources. Just be sure to measure the diameter and purchase the correct size gasket. Silca, Joe Blow, Lenze and some other manufacturers also sell additional parts and rebuild kit. Regards and safe cycling, Tony
@@tony10speed yes sir thank you very much
Thank you! Fixed my mom's vintage pump by following this. Bought a new leather gasket on amazon and they sent me one 1/8 inch smaller than I ordered but I managed to stretch it out to the appropriate size with vaseline and armorall.
Great work. Lubricate it each year. If it fails, go with the proper size and the lubrication will actually make it slightly smaller and fit snug. Regards and safe cycling, Tony
Finally a use for my 14mm wrench.
🤔
Good explanation ,
Thanks.
You saved my pump sir!!
Great. Simple but effective tip. Thanks again.
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Regards and safe cycling, Tony
Thank you very much!
You're Welcome. Also visit our TH-cam home site at:
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Regards and safe cycling, Tony
Thanks Tony
You're welcome. Visit our TH-cam home site at:
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Regards and safe cycling, Tony
Thank you !
You're Welcome. Also visit our TH-cam home site at:
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Regards and safe cycling, Tony
Is it difficult to condition the leather gasket?
Conditioning the leather takes about 15-20 minutes. Keep re-applying the conditioner and working it into the leather. It will seem like you're getting no where, when, all of a sudden it becomes flexible.
can we use something else for the washer?
If you mean the leather gasket, no. The gasket is cheap and readily available.
@@tony10speed This gasket is not at all available here. so can I try putting together layers of butyl tubes or cut it out from old tyre itself.
@@tuxnoel Never tried that but if it works, please let me know. I would be very interested. Regards, Tony