oil tank tap

... shouts of horror (not from me) but a tap from somwhere like Screwfix should fill the bill. They come in a range of BSP threads.

Also you want a full bore valve, so the hole in the tap matches the pipe bore or it becomes a flow restrictor.

Did that change a few years ago on my central heating radiator isolation valves, made a big difference in one leg of the system to the heat up time.

I remember seeing on this site a while ago an oil stop valve with a set of contacts built in.

The contacts were wired into the ignition circuit such that there was no spark if the oil stop valve was closed.

Perhaps someone can find that old posting and put it up again/

Mike 

there is a auto valve that screws into the Commando oil tank outlet. I read about it very recently, and can’t recall who sells it... maybe Holland Norton Works? It might fit??

There are a quite number of suppliers of these items. A quick search found these. Though I know of at least two other which I can't find right now. Anyhow you're lucky to have a single as they survive a few miles without the tap turned on. Roller bearings don't need much oil. A twin with plain bearings needs a good oil flow immediately.

https://shop.kingpincomponents.co.uk/oil-tap-with-cutout-switch

https://www.feked.com/wet-sumping-oil-pipe-tap.html

https://www.themagnetoguys.co.uk/oil-tap-with-cut-out-switch

I have the Kingpin one, complete with screw-in gauze filter, so it's neat and effective and safe. No more wet-sumping and mess on starting.

I'll go for the Kingpin version for my Mk3 Commando which emptied the whole oil tank over lockdown, a fair amount of which then migrated to the primary chain case and onto the floor (I have a belt drive so the chain case is permanently open at the bottom).  Does anyone have a photograph of their installation on a Commando and type of fitting used, please.

Hi 

I recently saw this brass oil tap fitted to an es2 but the owner couldn’t help as not fitted by him . It would be great if some one could identify where to get them from 

If you forget to turn on the tap you have bought a bottom end overhaul.

There are types of oil tank taps available that you have to use your ignition key in and the key cannot be removed if the tap is closed.

A little searching should find them

Mike

never heard of an ignition key one. It doesn’t logically make sense either....

The ignition key can only be removed to then be able to be used to turn the ignition on if the oil tap is open. It's a failsafe device, it does make sense as long as any other ignition keys are marked with check oil tap first.

Leaving the ignition key in the bike might possibly invalidate your insurance if it is stolen. Certainly does in the small print of my bikes policies. Comes under the label of inadequate security..now if you have it chained up with a length of shipyard chain that may well be an arguable point, but why make life harder?

Worth checking out though if you go this way. 

What ever you use makes sure it operates correctly ie, locks in the fully open position or the circuit breaks if the valve shuts slightly from the open position, not when it shuts fully. 

The pros and cons of an isolation valve have been discussed many times; the use of it may  need a little more thought.  

My 99 and SS both have taps as the sump plugs are not meant for pulling out every month. I  open them when preparing to ride out and they may be open for a couple of weeks if I intend using them fairly frequently.   It is only when they are going to be parked up for a while do I close them. 

My fellow riders open and close it like a petrol tap, as soon as they stop.  It becomes a  routine like fuel tap on, ignition on etc.

It just depends how you manage your machine.  Consequences recognised, but benefits mean I  can go out on any machine instantly without oily fingers and a clean up job on containers... and  floor... and cans... etc...

My Commando has a Mick Hemmings flow control valve, a nice solution that has been there  some 20 years and no oil supply or wet sump issues.

PS: What ignition key....

Cheers

Jon