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Grease for Silca Pista Leather Cup

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Grease for Silca Pista Leather Cup

Old 07-22-14, 08:05 AM
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tjkoko
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Grease for Silca Pista Leather Cup

What's the recommended grease for the leather cup to the Silca Pista? Someone mentioned Proofhide, another recommends silicone grease, and another recommends white grease which I assume is Lubriplate.
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Old 07-22-14, 08:10 AM
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Originally Posted by tjkoko
What's the recommended grease for the leather cup to the Silca Pista? Someone mentioned Proofhide, another recommends silicone grease, and another recommends white grease which I assume is Lubriplate.
I've used whatever bearing grease was on the workbench since my three (one Pista & 2 frame) were new in the '70's, works fine.
Like the old Brylcream commercial said: "Just a dab will do ya."

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Old 07-22-14, 08:35 AM
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Don't use proofhide. It's designed to penetrate and soften leather, and can lead to the breakdown of the piston.


You don't need anything special, and aren't trying to grease or soften the leather, just provide some lubrication where the leather slides against the cylinder. If you want a specific product, buy waterpump grease (sold in rural areas) which is impervious to water and won't hurt leather or rubber. But you don't need to do that. I add one drop (no more) of olive oil (it's an Italian pump) and pump and spin the piston to spread it around the cylinder wall. That's good for a few years.
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Old 07-22-14, 08:37 AM
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Technically the silicone grease would be best. Petroleum based greases break down the leather over time. Even neatsfoot oil damages the leather even though it is the traditional treatment.
But I don't really think it matters. People have been pouring oil in the top of pumps for hundreds of years.
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Old 07-22-14, 09:29 AM
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@FBinNY once again comes in with advice that's both on-the-money and funny.
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Old 07-22-14, 09:47 AM
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I've used leather boot grease .. pump still works, 30 years On.

Ditto the Medai .. for s/v tubes

Last edited by fietsbob; 07-22-14 at 11:07 AM.
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Old 07-22-14, 10:53 AM
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I've been squirting engine oil in my Medai Top Super pump and my Coleman lantern for about forty years.

Pump oil (Jobst Brandt)
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Old 07-22-14, 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Grand Bois
I've been squirting engine oil in my Medai Top Super pump and my Coleman lantern for about forty years.

Pump oil (Jobst Brandt)
I miss Jobst.
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Old 07-22-14, 11:17 AM
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Originally Posted by FBinNY
Don't use proofhide. It's designed to penetrate and soften leather, and can lead to the breakdown of the piston.

You don't need anything special, and aren't trying to grease or soften the leather, just provide some lubrication where the leather slides against the cylinder.... I add one drop (no more) of olive oil (it's an Italian pump) and pump and spin the piston to spread it around the cylinder wall. That's good for a few years.
Natural (food) oils like olive and peanut oils contain acids hence their rancidity upon exposure to air. It it acid that breaks down leather??? Does Proofhide contain acids, too???

But I spread some regular olive oil from Wallys onto the leather washer for the first time ever since I've first purchased it in 2004. The washer wasn't dried out to begin with but I'll bet with the new application of oil, it'll provide a tad better seal.

Last edited by tjkoko; 07-22-14 at 11:23 AM.
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Old 03-19-20, 12:09 AM
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I cleaned the old oil and grease out (nearly all of it) of my mid 80's Silca Floor pump leather cup using ajax dish soap with toothbrush. So now that its pretty dry and suede like agian, what would be a good conditioner that will not weaken the leather? MIneral oil? 3 in one oil? Or just use vaseline? I have idea leaving it dry and just lubing outside rim would leave it prone to tearing apart when in use?
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Old 03-19-20, 12:30 AM
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Corn oil lasts a long time. Might have to soak it if your leather is dry.
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Old 03-19-20, 05:41 PM
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Silca Pump Oil
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Old 03-19-20, 05:48 PM
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This is much like the "what chain lube is best" threads that we all dread. That some sort of oil like substance is used and the washer is revisited periodically will be so much better then the majority of pump washers lives. I use whatever grease/oil is handy, often Park or Phil as they live on my bench. Andy
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Old 03-19-20, 08:28 PM
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I've read somewhere not to use any petroleum based lubes in/on pumps. I bought my Silca floor pump in the early 80s. I've used it at least once a week. I use Neatsfoot oil on the cup and I don't ever remember replacing it. I know I had to clean out the check valve once.
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Old 03-19-20, 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by gearbasher
I've read somewhere not to use any petroleum based lubes in/on pumps. I bought my Silca floor pump in the early 80s. I've used it at least once a week. I use Neatsfoot oil on the cup and I don't ever remember replacing it. I know I had to clean out the check valve once.
This! The check valve is, perhaps, one of the most neglected aspects of inflation. Grime and corrosion are the issues. Of course with Presta valves one has another check valve in the inflation system. Not so with SV. Andy
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Old 03-20-20, 12:24 AM
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Originally Posted by RGMN
Many thanks for that link. A mystery solved. I have a bottle of that, but the label had worn off from rolling in the bike toolbox. I thought it was airgun oil. But that is definitely it!
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Old 03-20-20, 08:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Andrew R Stewart
This! The check valve is, perhaps, one of the most neglected aspects of inflation. Grime and corrosion are the issues. Of course with Presta valves one has another check valve in the inflation system. Not so with SV. Andy
check Valve? Wheres that located. I to have a Silca from the 80s. Thanks KB
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Old 03-20-20, 09:03 AM
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Originally Posted by kcblair
check Valve? Wheres that located. I to have a Silca from the 80s. Thanks KB
At the base of the piston.
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Old 03-20-20, 04:35 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnDThompson
At the base of the piston.
The piston , being the leather cup ?? Or down in the tube, I'm trying to visualise. I'll take a look. Than you for the help. KB

Edit:I see a large nut, on the brass fitting, that the pressure gauge is attached, I'm I getting close ? KB

Last edited by kcblair; 03-20-20 at 04:46 PM.
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Old 03-20-20, 04:43 PM
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At the base of the cylinder. Between the interior and the hose connection. Without a functioning check valve and when attaching to a SV the air in the tube would try to push the pump piston/handle up, no added pressured air would stay in the tube. Andy
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Old 03-20-20, 04:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Andrew R Stewart
At the base of the cylinder. Between the interior and the hose connection. Without a functioning check valve and when attaching to a SV the air in the tube would try to push the pump piston/handle up, no added pressured air would stay in the tube. Andy
Thanks Andy, now I see it. I remove the brass fitting that the hose is attached, Now, what or how do I clean it ? Thanks. KB
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Old 03-20-20, 08:01 PM
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If the check valve is clean then Bob's your uncle. If dirty with grime clean off with grime cutter (solvent?) If rusty try removing the rust, fine steel wool perhaps. Some will have a ball "bearing" on a spring and this spring can break or otherwise become non functioning. Some can be a molded bit of plastic and the back pressure of the tire closes it against it's seat.

Is there a problem with your pump? Or are you trying to just understand it? Andy
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Old 03-21-20, 06:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Andrew R Stewart
If the check valve is clean then Bob's your uncle. If dirty with grime clean off with grime cutter (solvent?) If rusty try removing the rust, fine steel wool perhaps. Some will have a ball "bearing" on a spring and this spring can break or otherwise become non functioning. Some can be a molded bit of plastic and the back pressure of the tire closes it against it's seat.

Is there a problem with your pump? Or are you trying to just understand it? Andy
Thanks Andy. Pump works fine , as I only use it for PV. This thread caught my interest. Several years ago , I replaced the leather cup and rubber washer in the brass head. got some spares parts, before my LBS closed.

So, should I just leave it alone ? Than You. KB
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Old 03-21-20, 08:58 AM
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As others say "don't fix a running bike". I say leave the check valve alone if there's no problem. Andy
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Old 03-21-20, 09:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Andrew R Stewart
As others say "don't fix a running bike". I say leave the check valve alone if there's no problem. Andy
Thank you, Andy. I'll leave it alone . KB
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