Smoking left side exhaust

Guys

Just letting the forum know that I had purchased a 74 850cc roadster from a chap in another state. After a service with new oil and filter (the previous oil was like water) it was smoking from the left side exhaust.

With much research on this forum and various Norton owners club websites, I took the fault to be incorrectly assembled rocker spindles or worse. There was lots of compression a few minor leaks but nothing else to indicate a more serious problem.

My dad and I warmed up the bike, took off the tank, spindle and rocker covers and used the special spindle puller (invaluable) to partially withdraw the spindles. We found that the only one in the correct rotation (flat facing outwards) was the left side exhaust. All the rest were flat facing inwards. We adjusted the three offending spindles and hey presto no more smoke. However, there is definitely more oil pressure in the spindle hollows as proved by a very aggressive oil leak from the left rear spindle cover, which will be fixed when motor cools.

Just a thanks to collective wisdom.

Best Regards

Walter

Sydney Australia

Sorry about my CB125 Honda Bucket racer in a Commando forum.

Regards

Walter

So odd and sloppy/careless assembly. Not something I would look for right off the bat. Would have probably pulled the head and look for the usual culprits first , like valve guides or seals or headgasket etc. :!:

Hey Guys

After fixing my Rocker spindles, the engine does not seem to be wet sumping as quickly?

I can't help but think that the rocker boxes filling with oil from the incorrect fitting of the spindles and then draining down into the crankcase after I shut down the engine might be mistaken for oil draining through the oil pump, or am I deluding myself?

I also noticed a slight increase in noise from the top end although there is good oil pressure to the rockers.

Best regards