Point Cover Gasket

I washed my bike with water, and the bike wouldn't start because the wires going into the Boyer stator were wet. After drying them, it ran fine. I decided to find or make a gasket to put under the points cover, and discovered the parts book doesn't show one. Anybody else find it odd that there isn't a gasket there? I realize the water can also come in the back of the timing chest, which I need to seal up as well.
Stephen Hill

Stephen Hill said:

I washed my bike with water, and the bike wouldn't start because the wires going into the Boyer stator were wet. After drying them, it ran fine. I decided to find or make a gasket to put under the points cover, and discovered the parts book doesn't show one. Anybody else find it odd that there isn't a gasket there? I realize the water can also come in the back of the timing chest, which I need to seal up as well.
Stephen Hill

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There should be a grommet at the back.

The deery damp British Isle usage proved points cover don't need a gasket to keep water out, just a drain hole to let oil out. The trigger wire grommet mainly just keeps wires form fraying down. Standard practice to put a loop or a dip in them to help water drip off before entering the points area. A dab of TRV in grommet is 4th place I could accept myself using it.

I coverd the hole where the wires enter with RTV and I still get water under the points cover! I blow the water out of the spark plug caps and spray brake cleaner in the points area to get things going.

I put a light smear of black RTV on the cover, let it dry thoroughly before assembly, makes an effective, reusable gasket. I also sealed where the wires enter the back of the chest. Hundreds of rain miles ridden, no issues (Boyer)

I think the drain hole is to prevent condensation inside the points cover - not to let the oil out. There shouldn't be that much oil if any. You make a little joke, hobot?

I also believe that the hole is to drain oil out. The seal behind the ignition is a weak point and many still try to install without the tool. I think crankcase pressure can be a cause also.
Mike

Ha in my newbie state with 1st Combat and finally finding the ignition system under that cover, don't laugh that is how dumb I was on Commando in '99. I found a small oil soaked rag in there and though, hm how cleaver the damp English engineers were for such simple water repelling innovation... then soon learned the cam oil seal often don't, so its definitely an oil drain hole more often than just condensation or pressure venter. There is no reason to seal the cover even if it did let water in it'd just blow out or evaporate fast. I don't bother sealing the trigger wire hole no more either just loop trigger wire so not a direct drain into trigger area. Oil does not conduce thank good ness unless so much metal dust in it it can.

There are some who run Nortons w/o a head gasket, which proves to me there are only 3 places any gasket needed in engine or gear box > one the TS cover for the oil pump seal combo spacing clearance, two the rocker covers and 3 the primary cover if oil bath chain run, so yep none at all in my un-shimmed gearboxes anymore. Carb and manifold can be gooped on or gasketed as desired.

some of this is just to funny. I have NO gasket and slots in the points cover facing front and rear, so far I have been in some heavy rains and most of a days ride with no issues. hy concoures remember this years three state??? and NEVER missed a beat. if your EI wont run with a little dampness you have other issues!!

bill said:

some of this is just to funny. I have NO gasket and slots in the points cover facing front and rear, so far I have been in some heavy rains and most of a days ride with no issues. hy concoures remember this years three state??? and NEVER missed a beat. if your EI wont run with a little dampness you have other issues!!

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lol, rain? What rain? :lol: That was just a drizzle... Now THE fog! That was another matter... :shock: :shock: I couldn't NOT make an attempt to seal my wire entry/cover, I didn't know any better. :mrgreen:

if your EI wont run with a little dampness you have other issues!!
Windy

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Yep.
Wes and I do water crossing the low spots can cover engine, and rain so hard can't even see and no ignition related problems on unsealed cover but head lights and some grounds go bad for a time. Done this on points and boyah no problemo for years.
Englishmen would not of bought anything that could be stored outside and run in pea soup fogs. I've been in England and amazed they could build so much civilization in so much rain and wet and damp and deary.

The reason is that when its sub zero , the condensation in the points assembly freezes up , so the points wont close . :wink: :lol:

Matt the points would have to be under water froozen solid as ice don't stick to oily surfaces so ya just being silly about having too seal the cover but to hold cam leak oil in.