I fixed it.....the wet sumping that is. (2014)

Status
Not open for further replies.

phillyskip

Joined
Sep 15, 2013
Messages
246
I got very tired of my new Norton wet sumping every time I went for a ride. Now, some of you are going to say "That PhillySkip is nuts" but this is what I did: I checked out the McMaster Carr catalogue and found a beautiful 3/8 ID "Ball Valve" ....not too large and carefully fitted it in my "feed" line. The valve has about a 2'' thin handle. When the valve is "on" the handle is parallel with the battery box support. I tuck the entire valve behind the support and in this way it can't close. When the valve is in the "off" position it faces the kick starter....you can't miss it sticking out there. On my ignition key I have a large red flag that says "Turn the oil on".

So there you have it ....one man's solution to a nagging problem!.........Fraternally,Skip
 
You will forget. It only takes once. You can buy or make valves that have a cut off for the ignition. IronJohns makes one, I use a micro-switch on the valve, there are other variations.
 
I did the same thing except I think I just used a 1/2 ball valve to get a larger flow hole. I wrapped the whole gizmo in black electric tape . It is relatively unobtrusive save for the red coated handle. If you miss turning it on, it sticks out in the way of the kick starter, it is time for you to hang it up.
 
grandpaul said:
Danger Will Robinson!!!
Click to expand...
Lol!

Glad that setup works for you Skip, but as that quote above, from Lost in Space I think, hints at, it's one more step closer to an engine "whoopsy". Odds are high of course, but it's always there, that set of things that can never happen- flat battery, give it a bump start down the hill.........

I'm just fooling, sounds like a good setup.

Peter
 
You will forget. It only takes once.
Click to expand...

DogT is right, you WILL forget, you think you won't but you will.

I did, I forgot.

In 2002 I installed an identical WOG(water oil gas) 3/8 ID lever valve on my oil feed line.

I then installed a steel fishing "leader line" from my ignition key to the WOG valve so that the key could turn on only when the valve lever was inline, in the flow position.

This worked well, for about a month, when the steel leader line stretched in combination with the connections at both ends loosening from usage, so I removed it, and trusted myself to turn the lever ON.

And a couple of weeks later I forgot, but fortunately rode only three blocks before realizing it was not on and reached down to turn it on.

And then about a year later one I day took off, and rode two MILES with no oil flow before I remembered and reached down to turn it on. Did you know a Commando will run for miles with no oil, neither did I?

And that was it, no more.

Nowadays I still have the WOG valve in place, but it is safety wired always in the ON position because I never go more than 3/4 days without riding anyway so let it wet sump.

The only reason I still have it on at all is to be able to occasionally service the timing chain and need to shut off oil flow, or when I know that I will not be riding for more than about five days or so, then I cut the safety wire and turn the flow off, and wire it up again in less than a minute when back in the saddle.

The point is that myself and others are simply advising you that no one is perfect, infallible, except the Pope, and that yes there will come a time when you will forget.

Try my safety wire idea, works well for me?
 
I have had my 3/8 ball valve on for few years now. I don't forget, or as some will surely say, I have not forgotten yet.
I will say this, I am going to change to a chrome one but keep the stylish red handle.

I fixed it.....the wet sumping that is. (2014)
 
Pex makes a chrome one, and it's 1/2", but fits nicely in the hose.

I fixed it.....the wet sumping that is. (2014)


If I rode every couple of days, I'd leave it on. It does tend to starve the cam of oil on start up. But it stops leaks for mine sitting around a lot. It did cut back on the dripping while sitting.
 
I sent my timing cover and oil pump to AMR in Arizona. For $75 they machined the timing cover for a spring ball check valve and took apart my oil pump and installed o-rings. No more wet sumping for me. I don't know why everyone isn't doing this. Took them about a week and a half. One of the best mods I've had done yet.
 
My approach was.. A slack zip tie that fit between kicker and valve. Pull the zip tie off and the valve opens auto due to the spring fitted. Cant forget to turn on. If i forget to shut valve off for a few days, no big deal.

I fixed it.....the wet sumping that is. (2014)


I fixed it.....the wet sumping that is. (2014)
 
Oh, how I've missed the "Wet Sumping" threads. It's been a while. Only one page so far, but by page 2 I bet someone will be calling someone an idiot. I live for this stuff. Just one more reason why I have a "Life Long Norton Obsession".
 
Here's the deal for me.The wet sumping wouldn't be such a problem if I didn't have a seat with a non standard mounting set up. I have to remove the two large knobs (normal) then two smaller ones towards the rear seat cowl,and then unplug my tail light to be able to dump the oil back into the oil tank. Then reinstall the seat. This is a pain in the ass. I don't know about your bikes ,but mine will leak down 12 oz overnight and a quart in a week. If I had a hinged seat it would be a different story.

I see that some of you have adopted the same "fix" ,so I don't feel so badly for living dangerously........Thanks,Skip
 
Johnnymac said:
I sent my timing cover and oil pump to AMR in Arizona. For $75 they machined the timing cover for a spring ball check valve and took apart my oil pump and installed o-rings. No more wet sumping for me. I don't know why everyone isn't doing this. Took them about a week and a half. One of the best mods I've had done yet.
Click to expand...
Well, as they say in the pilot's world, "There's those that have, and those that will." Land with their gear up , that is.
If the wet sumping gets to bothering me too much, I'll follow Johnnymac's lead.
 
Diablouph said:
Oh, how I've missed the "Wet Sumping" threads. It's been a while. Only one page so far, but by page 2 I bet someone will be calling someone an idiot. I live for this stuff. Just one more reason why I have a "Life Long Norton Obsession".
Click to expand...

I fixed it.....the wet sumping that is. (2014)
 
olChris said:
Diablouph said:
Oh, how I've missed the "Wet Sumping" threads. It's been a while. Only one page so far, but by page 2 I bet someone will be calling someone an idiot. I live for this stuff. Just one more reason why I have a "Life Long Norton Obsession".
Click to expand...

I fixed it.....the wet sumping that is. (2014)
Click to expand...


Well, at least he didn't use it on you.
 
Diablouph said:
olChris said:
Diablouph said:
Oh, how I've missed the "Wet Sumping" threads. It's been a while. Only one page so far, but by page 2 I bet someone will be calling someone an idiot. I live for this stuff. Just one more reason why I have a "Life Long Norton Obsession".
Click to expand...

I fixed it.....the wet sumping that is. (2014)
Click to expand...


Well, at least he didn't use it on you.
Click to expand...

I think maybe you have the "wrong end of the stick"............ He pointed at me, the class clown/idiot... That why i learnt to weld.....
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top