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Jason Curtiss
Joined: 14 Jun 2003
Posts: 661
Location: HOUSTON, TEXAS
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 Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 9:19 am Post subject: CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL |
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Here's a question I've been pondering for a long time; perhaps our Norton panel of experts can answer this one.
What is the proper method for checking the engine oil level on a '75 Commando? Specifically, should the bike be on the center stand or side stand when checking?
Mute point some may say? Quite the contrary. If the oil dip stick reading indicates full with the bike on the side stand, it will show over .5 quarts low with the bike repositioned on the center stand.
I know someone out there has the "official Norton answer".
Thanks and regards,
Jason |
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Jerry Doe
Site Admin
Joined: 21 May 2003
Posts: 172
Location: Irvine, California
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| Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 12:50 pm Post subject: Oil Level |
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On my 73 I always check it on the center stand.
I have a breather tube running out to the back of the bike. If I fill it to the top on the stand, it blows a little bit out the back.
For me the perfect place is 1/2 to 3/4 full while the bike is on the center stand on level ground. It does not blow out the back then.
Jerry
http://jerrydoe.com |
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norbsa48503
Joined: 07 Apr 2004
Posts: 995
Location: Flint, Michigan
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| Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 1:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Of course the oil must be fully hotted before a check some times these bikes are evil task masters. norbsa |
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nortonfan
Joined: 24 Dec 2003
Posts: 362
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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| Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 3:05 pm Post subject: |
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Jason,
I am sure most owners will know that the oil can "wetsump", that is drain down from the oil tank to the sump while left standing. Therefore you do need to run/ride the bike for a few minutes if you are checking the oil level.
The oil will then be pumped back into the oil tank where it should be. You may get a false reading if you don't do this.
Jerry has then said "For me the perfect place is 1/2 to 3/4 full while the bike is on the center stand on level ground. It does not blow out the back then."
Having had 7 commandos myself over a 30 year period, I would say Jerry is spot on with his "1/2 to 3/4 full while the bike is on the center stand on level ground" otherwise oil seems to want to blow out.
Reg. |
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Jason Curtiss
Joined: 14 Jun 2003
Posts: 661
Location: HOUSTON, TEXAS
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| Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the feedback on my oil level question. If I've interpreted the responses correctly, filling and checking the oil with the bike on the center stand results in an overfilled tank (asuming the level is at the FULL mark). Perhaps checking the oil with the bike on the side stand would be more accurate?
Jason |
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nortonfan
Joined: 24 Dec 2003
Posts: 362
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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| Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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Jason,
Old saying......
"You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink"
So, I guess it is your decision how you check your bike.
Another tip...
Check the definition of "mute", then "moot" in a good dictionary.
Just a suggestion of help, nothing else intended.
Reg.
Last edited by nortonfan on Mon Jul 26, 2004 4:14 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Jason Curtiss
Joined: 14 Jun 2003
Posts: 661
Location: HOUSTON, TEXAS
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| Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 4:07 am Post subject: |
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Nortonfan,
Ok, bad question. I was hoping someone would respond by saying:
"Back when I worked at the Norton factory, we would check the oil by first..."
Or, perhaps: "On page 72 of the Norton factory procedures manual, it says to check the oil this way."
Better question next time.
Jason |
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illf8ed
Joined: 30 Dec 2003
Posts: 472
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| Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 4:59 am Post subject: Commando oil level |
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Jason,
The responses are pretty much what I've found. Check oil on the center stand after a ride. The level should be just above the lower dip stick mark. Filled to the top mark will cause overflowing from the tank. Experience is the best teacher, so play around with the level above the lower mark. The Commando will let you know when it has too much oil. |
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illf8ed
Joined: 30 Dec 2003
Posts: 472
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| Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 5:00 am Post subject: Commando oil level |
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Jason,
The responses are pretty much what I've found. Check oil on the center stand after a ride. The level should be just above the lower dip stick mark. Filled to the top mark will cause overflowing from the tank. Experience is the best teacher, so play around with the level above the lower mark. The Commando will let you know when it has too much oil. |
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Ron L
Joined: 27 Feb 2004
Posts: 1101
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 5:50 am Post subject: |
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>Ok, bad question. I was hoping someone would respond by saying:
>"Back when I worked at the Norton factory, we would check the oil by >first..."
>Or, perhaps: "On page 72 of the Norton factory procedures manual, it >says to check the oil this way."
Well, if that's what you want, on page 9 of the 750 Riders manual it says..."Before filling fresh oil, run the engine for three to four minutes to clear excess oil in the crankcase, observing the oil circulating through the cap in the oil tank filler orifice.
Allow the oil to settle in the tank, then fill sufficient oil of a recommended grade until the correct oil level is shown on the dipstick. The oil level should not exceed the "H" mark or fall below the "L" on the dipstick. It is most important not to exceed the "H"."
Real helpful, huh? Keep in mind the oil serves two purposes. Lubricating the bearings and help keep the engine cool. As long as there is oil in the tank, it will lubricate. However, if allowed to run for extended periods below the "L" mark, it will get pretty hot. If filled above the "H", it will spit it out the breather and make a real mess.
Ron L |
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nortonfan
Joined: 24 Dec 2003
Posts: 362
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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| Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 2:17 pm Post subject: |
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Jason,
Further to the private emails you have been sending me.
Apparently the new 2005 model Softail Harley Davidson Oil Dipstick Design allows the rider to check the oil level with the bike on its' sidestand.
I was at our local HD distributors shop yesterday test riding a Heritage & asked the oil question.
So at least the 2005 softail owners won't have to chock up their harleys to check their oil anymore. |
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Guest
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| Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 8:30 pm Post subject: |
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Hey these things run with a dry-ish sump so don't need
much oil in tank to keep her oil pressure up. Do to losing
2/3 my oil d/t oil filter working lose - only revealed by
the unfun handling entering the fun twisties - I rode
it back to twon 20 miles watching my oil temp and speedo
and it ran the same 120 F oil entering motor as it did prior
so I just ran on in around 80-90 for 15 min and began
to wonder about just how much oil is really needed-
plus the amount to save a motor if it spring a leak.
I can not tell you how much your Commando life will improve after you install a big fat oil sight and drain tube.
Allows level and color judgement at a glance and no
tool no mess renewal.
I put an temp sendor in front bottom of tank but in
crashes it has caused a tire oiling leak, I wonder if there
arn't just some glue on temp sendors that could fit
for this?
hobot
'72 Combat minus some stuff. |
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Norton Commando Forum by Corporate Pages Web hosting using phpbb
The Unapproachable Norton Commando
At the end of 1967 the Norton Commando was announced.
The Norton Commando was greeted with a certain amount of scepticism because on first sight the commando appeared to comprise of the old Norton Dominator twin cylinder engine mounted at an inclined angle in a set of new cylinder parts.
It was not realized that the new Norton Commando Isolastic method of engine suspension damped out all engine vibration and produced a machine which had uncanny smoothness for a vertical twin. In due course the critics were silenced and the Norton Commando had the distinction of being regarded as the first of todays so called superbikes. There can be little doubt that the original design concept of the Norton Commando has proved correct, since comparatively few modifications of any real consequence have been made since production commenced during 1968.
Now nearly 40 years later Norton Commando riders like us are a breed of our own, and as far as we are concerned its still more fun to go for a blat on the old Norton Commando, and fast. As a Norton Commando owner and enthusiast, my goal here is to promote and give credit to those who keep the Norton name going.
It is more deserving to give credit to the Commando itself, for after all these years it continues to be respected. The original Commando designers like John Favill are those who deserve the credit for developing this incredible motorcycle.
The Norton Commando Roadster and Interstate of the late seventies, never died. Although the Norton Villiers factory dispersed the tradition lived on. Today Kenny Dreer in the USA is developing the new 952 CC Norton. What a great looking bike this is, and its engineering is still based on the original layout. It will be interesting to see how the new 952CC Norton does in todays tough motorcycle market. One thing is for sure, I would own one if I could afford it.
