Oil - Monograde Or Multigrade?

Previously wrote:

Hi Anna. The main noticeable difference from a mono-grade to multi-grade will be in starting the engine from cold once up to running temperature, there will not be any difference as both oils will be at the same viscosity so pumping energy required will be the same.

It is not recommended to change to a modern multigrade, high detergent oil from an old style low detergent mono-grade as this can loosen up the debris in the sludge trap and cause problems. So if you have used the mono grade for quite a long time, it would seem best to stick with it until you do a full engine rebuild and internal clean up.

I think the feeling that you are experiencing that the engine seems to âlikeâ the multi-grade can only be the effect of lower power loss from the oil pump but this would only manifest itself during the warm up period or very cold running conditions. Once hot there will be difference as I have already said.

High quality synthetic multigrades can offer lower friction levels so using these will augment the perceived improved running of the engine at all temperaturesâ?but the difference will only be very slight.

The negative aspect of multi-grades will be the increased wet sumping you will experience especially if your pump is worn. Depending on your type of usage this may not matter but if you have a bad problem already with the mono-grade, the thinner when cold, multi-grade will seep past the pump gears at a faster rate to fill the crankcase over a shorter length of non running time.

Les H

P.S. Inoticed your article on the MYSTERY ENGINE in the latest CBG mag....had any replies yet?

BTW, I have often wondered if you are the female rider on a Norton Atlas in the photo inRoy Bacon's Twin Restoration Book, page 21... are you that lady?

hello les well we have heard not yet about that Jack E Moore prototype twinNortonengine ,Built 1946, As for the lady on the Norton Atlas I did look a bit like her when was younger But I raced and rode a 61 99SS cafe racer style the engine was re-built by a friend Eric Creaser He Gas flowded the cylinder head and fitted 10:1 High Compresstion Piston and got me a five speed gear box this was back in the 1970s The bike went like a rat up a drain-pipe Yes it was very fast and I use to ring its neck down the old A1 too race meeting I would run it on Duckhams Q 20/50 with 5 star petrol and a cup full of Castrol R in the tank the Bike all was got me Home , On one night I picked up a young man hitchicking and got him on the back of the bike and rode back to Goole we was doing well over 100mph back then when I dropped him of in Goole His knees went too jelly he said By thats a fast bike ? it was all fun back then ? As for my Norton Manxman 650 It was re-built in 2009 and I re-furbbed the oil pump and presser- releaf valve So I know every things Ok in there I have try it on Millers 50 But it did not like starting ? So when it came too changing the oil again I went on too Millers 20/50 which it seam to like as it starts in the first two kicks and theres a good return too the tank , all Nortons wet sump abit but its noting too worrie about you need a harf pint in the sump anyway too splash feed the crank and bearing and camshaft went starting the bike it all get back too the oil tank in one way or nother ? And I am against putting any taps or other devices in the oil line ,Its like put a taps on you heart valves ? I have been riding Norton Motorcycle on and of for 40 years now, And not had much trouble with oil pumps , Yours Anna J Dixon

Previously wrote:

Hi Les. With referance to your question to Anna was she the lady sat on the Atlas on page 21 of Roy Bacons book . Well l have that very atlas in my collection it used to be Nortons test bike and they are the first entry in the old log book thanks Colin P,S. and keep on answering all the questions it makes good reading

hello les and colin well I was Not the lady on that Norton Atlas , But I wish I was ? But I can do better than that As I own a very rare Norton manxman 650 from the first batch sent to the USA , And a 1954 Domie 88 both these bike I have rebuilt my self ,so a lady good with spanners Too,and a gas welding torch,Andas for the re-built Nortons There was not much farmed out, so the paint work engine and gearbox rebuilts and wheel building and re-wiring ,I did myself, only a-bits that was farmed outthat wasa-bit of machiningtoo engine parts and the re-chroming nut &bolts and kick-start and gear lever ? but I am still sorting out the 1954 88 domie ? as I had to make the mudguards but were nearly there but then there the petrol tank bottom to weld back in ? that will be a bit tricky ? and we have a Ford Tranist Van To ? for our branch bike brake downs but we have not had any yet ,But I have Helped guys with newis bikes that have broken down , one was a 06 Aprilla V twin with the Clutch gone the other was a Yamaha with a Back wheel punture ? and a Suzuki that had run out of fuel his fuel gauge had stopped reading, And our Old Norton's are Still going strong so much for new bikes ? as for lady riders I think they should be band from riding big heavy bike that they cannot handel , classic and vintage bike are Ok for ladies But was it Not Pa,Norton that targeted His Machines Too Lady riders ? yours Anna J Dixon

Previously wrote:

Hello again Anna. I'm very impressed with your mechanical abilities, you seem to have turned your hand to almost everything including welding, well done. When you get the chance, I think many here would love to see some photos of your bikes.

As you are so enthusiasticwith metal work and engineering,do you ever get to watch "American Chopper" or "American Hotrod" on TV? Ever since it started showing on the QUEST station on Freeview, I try to watch them every night. I find the shows quite entertaining and I'm always in awe of all that equipment and fascilities they have at their disposal.They could have my Model 7 back together in a couple of days in their workshops.

As for female motorcycle riders, I've always said that it would be the best thing that ever happened to motorcycling if women took up riding. As you know, there are very few things in life better than the sheer pleasure motorcyling can give you, even if you don't want to do the maintenance on them, and doubly good if you get some fun out of that side too. I think Pa Norton would have been delighted to have ladies riding his bikes, perhaps putting more effort into getting his machines more oil tight if he knew there was a female market waiting for them.

Over on the continent, it seems there are as many young ladies riding on motorised bikes as there are men. The scooter, ithas to be said, is mainly responsible for that, with complete cleanliness, looks, automatic clutch and gears, and weather protection, they are hard to find fault with. I suppose many of those woman riders would not feel any need to change to a proper motorcycle, especially old classic ones, but there would be a few I guess.

I have noticed many more female riders on motorcyles here in the UK of late, riding mainly Jap bikes, which is encouraging,but only ever one or two and your good self, on old classic machines. The weather of course in this country is, as it has alwayshas been, the fly in the ointment for two wheels, quite often leaving only aboutsix months of the year really warm enough, even safe enough, to enjoy riding with sheer pleasure rather than endure some form of discomfort. Then again some ridersenjoy riding in any weather, even enjoying riding in snow and ice, but I think it's fair to say that sort of thing wouldn't be considered fun for the majority ofthe population or even most motorcylists.

Regards.

Les

hello les along time ago I once had a model 7 it was a very good bike and very comfortable machine like a old friend I wish I had sill got my model 7 & ES2 as well that I had once ,My sister rides a modern motorcycle a Kawasaki ER5 she does not like old bikes ,I said you have got lazy with your press button starters ,what if your battery goes flat and you are miles from anywhere your snookered ,with old bike you can allways get home unless you have blowen your engine up then ,you areringing the AA or RAC ? you may Not know this ,I was a Marine Engineer on Oil tanker 250,000 tonners the engine stud 80 feet high and 130foot long you wound need a big featherbed frame too get one of then in?the piston are 16 feet in diameter, Yes these piston you can park your car on? To lift one out there is four large plugs in the crown of the piston ,then you need a big air socket driver to undo the plugs, then you fit four ring eyes they have a 8 inch diameter thred you screw them in with a 6foot longbar thats 4 inch in diameter, once you got them in place you get the 300 tonne over head cranein to lift the piston on four hooks , stripping one of those big engines down, There are some big nuts,some are 6foot across the small ones are 4 inch across ,So Motorcycle are only toys to me now ?yours anna j dixon