Oil valve solution to oil falling to crankcase

Or if you can’t do that and you don’t want wet sumping, drain the oil after the last ride.

Most Norton's only wet sump overtime if not used enough some quicker than others mine has never had a wet sumping problem in 46+ years of ownership as it was ridden daily but since its now semi retired and sometime sitting for a few months doing other things and riding my other daily ride that has took over the duties of my Norton since 2013 but it takes at lease 4 months before it wet sumps and needs draining of the sump, to me it's not a big task to pull the sump plug to drain and refill the oil tank I do it while doing other checks of the bike before taking it out, takes 5 minutes or less to drain even when cold.
It's been just over 3 weeks since I been out on the Norton and the oil level in the tank is in normal position ready to go, I am still using original oil pump and has had no mods done to it since new and over 140k miles on it.
As I say each Norton is not the same with wet sumping, some do it sooner than others but putting things in between tank and motor no matter what precautions you take is not in my mine at all when draining the sump is so simple when needed.

Ashley
 
As well a micro safety switch on a shut off valve won't work on my Norton as I run a JH maggie independent to electrics but still won't do a shut off valve period.
 
As well a micro safety switch on a shut off valve won't work on my Norton as I run a JH maggie independent to electrics but still won't do a shut off valve period.
Doesn't the Joe Hunt have an earthing kill-switch wire (like Lucas)?
If so, the micro switch could take this wire to earth while the oil flow is "off"?
Cheers
 
Last edited:
I've mentioned previously, I think when this topic has come up before, I removed the sprung ball 'automatic' anti-wet-sump valve after watching a video on here. It showed the reduction in oil flow this type of valve caused. Scary.

I bought the Feked Cut off switch type valve, but never fitted it, as I found I was fine for at least a fortnight of not riding. I rarely leave it unridden beyond that, but when i do, I empty the sump. So, I added the Andover Norton easy open sump drain instead, to avoid wearing the thread cast into the engine case.

At around the same time as deleting the ball valve, I added the XS650 breather, which transformed the feel of the engine. It feels much happier and oil stays where it should. But it did nothing to reduce wet sumping, not that I expected it to.

Between the two modifications I now have a smooth oil return to the tank, whereas previously it was aerated. I suspect that may be all down to the breather, but removing a minor obstruction from the feed pipe can't have hurt that and may have contributed to the improvement.
 
I've mentioned previously, I think when this topic has come up before, I removed the sprung ball 'automatic' anti-wet-sump valve after watching a video on here. It showed the reduction in oil flow this type of valve caused. Scary.

I bought the Feked Cut off switch type valve, but never fitted it, as I found I was fine for at least a fortnight of not riding. I rarely leave it unridden beyond that, but when i do, I empty the sump. So, I added the Andover Norton easy open sump drain instead, to avoid wearing the thread cast into the engine case.

At around the same time as deleting the ball valve, I added the XS650 breather, which transformed the feel of the engine. It feels much happier and oil stays where it should. But it did nothing to reduce wet sumping, not that I expected it to.

Between the two modifications I now have a smooth oil return to the tank, whereas previously it was aerated. I suspect that may be all down to the breather, but removing a minor obstruction from the feed pipe can't have hurt that and may have contributed to the improvement.
Is that video still available please Mark ?
 
Afraid I didn't download it. But I think it was this one:

Thanks Mark 👍...I had a parts supplier here years ago send me the experiment 1 spring ball valve (free) and said to try it out....first thing I did when I got it was suck and blow through it and didn't feel that confident with it...there were many types made/available at the time....[edit]...its free if any one wants it :)
He also sent me around the same time
a mainshaft clutch rod seal which was choice.!!
 
Last edited:
Doesn't the Joe Hunt have an earthing kill-switch wire (like Lucas)?
If so, the micro switch could take this wire to earth while the oil flow is "off"?
Cheers

Rob it does but I still wouldn't put any device between tank and motor, besides it takes months before it wet sumps if sat for that long, just ride it regularly and no problems at all with wet sumping.
In over 46 years my Norton has only wet sumped 4 times.

Cheer Ashley
 
Rob it does but I still wouldn't put any device between tank and motor, besides it takes months before it wet sumps if sat for that long, just ride it regularly and no problems at all with wet sumping.
In over 46 years my Norton has only wet sumped 4 times.

Cheer Ashley
We need to clone your oil pump :)
 
Rob it does but I still wouldn't put any device between tank and motor, besides it takes months before it wet sumps if sat for that long, just ride it regularly and no problems at all with wet sumping.
In over 46 years my Norton has only wet sumped 4 times.

Ash - I get that, but my point was that a valve with a micro switch will work with a magneto.
Cheers
 
Last edited:
Afraid I didn't download it. But I think it was this one:

So - other than some obvious flaws in that video (unprimed oil feed to the pump!) how does this prove that the Velocette (proven) system of spring-loaded check valve in the base of the oil tank and gear oil pump (not dissimilar to Norton's) should never have worked?
How many Velo riders do you hear of crying about their seized engine?
I am not a fan of impediments on the suction line but that video is just like so much social media crap.
I actually had the young woman at the local bottle-o trying to convince me that the earth actually is flat - no kidding!
Cheers
 
We need to clone your oil pump :)

Not really as most of my Norton's life was a everyday rider and for a long time was my only transport when I didn't own a car and when I did have a car I still preferred to ride, but not all Commando's wet sump, it's just luck of the draw.
Back in the 70s one of my mate's 750 Commando wet sumped daily it was so bad he got rid of it.
But then I been lucky with my Norton since new, it's a freak of a Norton it's been very good for me yes it's had some failures from my early young days of flogging the crap out of it but the last 40 years it's been a freak, a good freak.
 
Last edited:
So - other than some obvious flaws in that video (unprimed oil feed to the pump!) how does this prove that the Velocette (proven) system of spring-loaded check valve in the base of the oil tank and gear oil pump (not dissimilar to Norton's) should never have worked?
How many Velo riders do you hear of crying about their seized engine?
I am not a fan of impediments on the suction line but that video is just like so much social media crap.
I actually had the young woman at the local bottle-o trying to convince me that the earth actually is flat - no kidding!
Cheers
The clear feed line set up on a running primed pumped engine would be a beter indicator ...than a battery drill driving that demo pump...I must admit it was a sales promotion
The flat earth ..debate has been running longer than when Marco Polo was a boy ...it must be something in the water that effects these crazies..or over indulgence at the Bottle -O🤣
 
If you don't want to make your own AWS valve with ign defeat, Feked has one here :


View attachment 106581
They look very nicely made. My one concern is the cheap switch (it looks like it's from a front brake light). I would definitely use a relay in combination to limit the current through it.
 
Last edited:
They look very nicely made. My one concern is the cheap switch (it looks like it's from a front brake light). I would definitely use a relay in combination to limit the current through it.
I would not worry about switch capability. Even a brake light switch has to handle 21w power. Ignition shouldn't draw that much.
 
Well he's obviously trying to increase his chances of making a sale isn't he? ;)
I did spy this model that I've not seen before with a clear acrylic sight window...
 
Back
Top