What Anti Wet Sump Valve

There is a web link on Crawford Logan’s thread just before this one.

Regards

Dick

I like the look of the one that Uli is using, especially if you are going to fit a switch.

http://www.motorradrestauration.de/oelabsperrhahn_mit_zuendunterbrechung1.html

Dennis

Why are you worried about wet sumping? My Electra has had this disease for years!  Get the bike out of the garage, start it up and run it for a couple mins (annoy the neighbours), fills the oil tank, check the level, put more oil in, put the helmet on, go for a ride on a nice warm motor. Wet sump -normal -no issue.

I'm with you Alan, my Navigator and Royal Enfield Bullet both wet sump but start them and leave them ticking over to warm for a couple of minutes and the oil is pumped back into the tank - a quick check to confirm the level is correct and they are ready for the road!   Interestingly despite its age and higher mileage the Navigator is never so bad that it smokes no matter how long it has been standing where as the Bullet which is far lower mileage occasionally smokes until the sump is clear.   Of course the real solution is to ride them more regularly, then wet sumping isn't an issue!   Enjoy this beautiful weather - just got back from a lovely early morning run down to the coast on the Navigator which continues to make me grin, what a cracking little bike it is!  Nick

Keep it simple drive dry sump motorcycles regularly and often.If not then the time between start ups will determine how much oil has drained into the sump.If the bike is reluctant to start  after a couple of kicks maybe there is too much oil in the sump. If I know I am going to lay the bike up for a long time I drain the oil in the tank into a watering can and just pour it back next trip. Also helps keep an eye on oil condition. Simple.

GRAHAM

As the Lightweights are all short stroke, then the sump could be awash with oil and it will not cause a problem. But beware, do NOT run the bike for a couple of minutes and then check and top the oil up. The oil will still be cold and will be sticking to various surfaces, if you top it up when only warm, it will be way too full when hot.

Always check the oil AFTER the run and top up accordingly, not before.

Tony

If I checked my Electra after the run I would probably be walking home. It uses oil and leakes it therefore. After a run it would be TOO LATE!

Reason why Alan is our electric guru.

A preference working with something that don't leak out on the floor when malfunctioning .

Cheers.

You forget that Alan is kept very busy keeping the smoke inside the wires to worry too much about oil on the floor!

Sorry Al, couldn't resist it!

I used a cheap (£5) 8mm gas valve off eBay. I cut the oil filter tube to remove the widened part and used the compression olive supplied with the valve to grip and seal to the filter pipe. On the other end to the engine I used a short length of 8mm diameter copper tube, again fixed with the compression fitting that came with the valve and then used the existing rubber pipe and a clip to secure it to the copper pipe. 

I am in the process of fitting a microswitch to the frame stay to cut off the ignition when the valve is closed. Meanwhile, I have a large crocodile clip on the kickstart that reminds me to turn the valve on before starting the engine.

Uli's solution integrates the switch and valve and is elegant but quite expensive.

Dennis

All Nortons leak oil. If it don't leak it 'aint a Norton (might be  triumph though).

I can recommend the Kingpin valve. I have fitted one to my Dominator and it is neat and fail safe. Bike will only start when in the ‘ on ‘ position.

George

I've been considering wet sumping on my recently acquired Navigator.  Not sure what to do about it just yet until I have had a proper look inside the engine.  My first thought was to use the valve from a Velocette.  Works well on the Velo but needs to be vertical or near to to work so no good on the Navigator.

I know some Velo owners use a Yamaha part, ( part no. 6R5-24408-00 ) and report that it works well.  If its not possible to incorporate a suitable valve in the crankcase then this is what I will do.

For the rest of the summer I'll ride and live with the wet sumping. I'm just fitting an oil filter, thats been keeping me occupied, always takes longer than I thought.

John

I fitted a kingpin valve on my commando and it's foolproof. However, in my case I found that when the ignition switch was turned on while the valve was closed resulted in the ignition light on the headlamp shell being lit up but the supply to the coils was cut hence the bike would not start. To provide an indication of this situation I slaved a small LED lamp off the coil supply and thus unless the LED was on, it was no use kicking! I even managed to find a small LED indicator which glows "start" when powered up. 

I hope this is of interest.