English French German Italian Spanish

Overfilling the oil tank

Submitted by david_henshaw on Wed, 30/05/2012
Forums
Commando

I filled my oil tank up with oil before taking it for its first run this year. After about a mile the rear wheel had lost its grip, on checking there was oil on the tyre. I drove carefully home and found oil pouring out from underneath and the oil tank filled to the top. Am I likely to have done any permanent damage? What should I check before emptying the tank and using the bike again? I think the bike must have suffered from wet sumping when laid up over the winter. The bike is a 1976 Mark 3 Commando.

Submitted by colin_sharpe on Wed, 30/05/2012

Permalink

The Mk 3 Commando is unique in that it has, or should have, an anti wet sump valve in the timing cover. My first thought would be to take off the timing cover and find out why the valve is not working.

It is always a good idea on any British bike to run the engine before checking the oil level.

Submitted by gordon_johnston on Wed, 30/05/2012

Permalink

I think we have all done this. At least I have more than once. My bike is unaffected and I have not heard any tales of doom from others who have done the same. Just check your primary chaincase oil level. It is possible that some oil has been forced past the mainshaft seal into the chaincase, raising the level. Gordon.

Submitted by david_henshaw on Wed, 30/05/2012

Permalink

Previously wrote:

I think we have all done this. At least I have more than once. My bike is unaffected and I have not heard any tales of doom from others who have done the same. Just check your primary chaincase oil level. It is possible that some oil has been forced past the mainshaft seal into the chaincase, raising the level. Gordon.

Thanks for the speedy replies and reassurance. I will look in the primary chaincase and timing cover when I have cleaned all the oil off. It looks as if some has gone into the air filter so I presume that will need changing. I bought the bike new from Gus Kuhn and only used it for a couple of years before putting it away until last year when I started using it again. It hasn't completed 10000 miles yet so I'm a bit like a novice rider again. Thanks again, Ray

Submitted by hans_taylor on Mon, 11/06/2012

Permalink

Hi Ray,

Yes change the air filter, if you try to wash it out it just disintegrates !

Also, when all is back to normal remove the timing plug from the primary chaincase, and start the engine. If you get a chuffing noise and air pressure coming out of there then unfortunately the crankshaft oil seal has blown and the chaincase will just fill up with oil.

On another point, my Mk3 also came from there, whats your reg, as I have found the bike reg after mine, which is +++521R.

Cheers HT

Submitted by david_henshaw on Tue, 12/06/2012

Permalink

Hans, Thanks for the advice. I bought it on the25th June 1976, I knew I would be keeping it so wasn't too bothered with obtaining an 'R' reg. a few weeks later. The reg no. is +++548P. I still have the original receipt no. 1428, including delivery, craven carrier and craven top box it came to £1014.46.

The bike has developed a short circuit which I haven't tracked down yet, it seems to be associated with the warning lights. This may be due to oil getting into the assimilator box.

Ray

Submitted by david_henshaw on Tue, 12/06/2012

Permalink

Previously wrote:

Hans, Thanks for the advice. I bought it on the25th June 1976, I knew I would be keeping it so wasn't too bothered with obtaining an 'R' reg. a few weeks later. The reg no. is +++548P. I still have the original receipt no. 1428, including delivery, craven carrier and craven top box it came to £1014.46.

The bike has developed a short circuit which I haven't tracked down yet, it seems to be associated with the warning lights. This may be due to oil getting into the assimilator box.

Ray

I should of added that the engine and frame numbers are 330209.

Submitted by hans_taylor on Tue, 12/06/2012

Permalink

Ray,

Mine was first reg 19/8/76 and is frame no. 334751 so either yours was laying about for a long time or GKs sold one hell of a lot !! I got mine second hand in 1978 for £600 and have loved it ever since.

Hans

Submitted by tony_ripley on Thu, 14/06/2012

Permalink

Hi,

Bought mine from GK 11/6/1977 for £1263.76, engine / frame number 336009. It looks like the price went up a bit in the year.

xxx 594R

Tony

Submitted by steve_elston on Thu, 14/06/2012

Permalink

Previously wrote:

Hi,

Bought mine from GK 11/6/1977 for £1263.76, engine / frame number 336009. It looks like the price went up a bit in the year.

xxx 594R

Tony

hi,

my commando also came from gus khun, first registration dated 15/feb/1977, engine/ frame number 335009 (I had to double take on your numbers being so similar to my own )

These bikes must have really flown out of that shop when they were new

xxx872R

steve

Submitted by david_henshaw on Fri, 15/06/2012

Permalink

Previously wrote:

Previously wrote:

Hi,

Bought mine from GK 11/6/1977 for £1263.76, engine / frame number 336009. It looks like the price went up a bit in the year.

xxx 594R

Tony

hi,

my commando also came from gus khun, first registration dated 15/feb/1977, engine/ frame number 335009 (I had to double take on your numbers being so similar to my own )

These bikes must have really flown out of that shop when they were new

xxx872R

steve

I seem to remember there being a lot of choice in stock for colours, and I think there was a choice of Interstate or Roadster. I opted for a silver Interstate and it was ready for collection in a couple of days.

Ray

 


Norton Owners Club Website by 2Toucans