The Magneto Guys Anti-Wet Sumping Valve

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HouTexNorton

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The Magneto Guys - Oil Tap with Cut Out Switch

As originally manufactured, these magnetos do not have a facility for an ignition cut out. That has now changed! Following numerous enquiries from our customers over the years we have now developed a neat, reliable modification to enable a cut out to be fitted to your machine.
www.themagnetoguys.co.uk www.themagnetoguys.co.uk

Has anyone fitted one of these valves? If so, can you post pictures of the installation? It looks more compact than the one from Feked, although maybe not as robust. The micro-switch can be configured to be normally open or closed to allow an ignition cut-out or buzzer or both to be used as a fail safe.
 
HouTexNorton said:

The Magneto Guys - Oil Tap with Cut Out Switch

As originally manufactured, these magnetos do not have a facility for an ignition cut out. That has now changed! Following numerous enquiries from our customers over the years we have now developed a neat, reliable modification to enable a cut out to be fitted to your machine.
www.themagnetoguys.co.uk www.themagnetoguys.co.uk

Has anyone fitted one of these valves? If so, can you post pictures of the installation? It looks more compact than the one from Feked, although maybe not as robust. The micro-switch can be configured to be normally open or closed to allow an ignition cut-out or buzzer or both to be used as a fail safe.
Click to expand...
I use one on my 1974 Commando 850, (also on two other bikes). Wired to interrupt my electronic ignition, works great. Is smaller and in my humble opinion more discreet than the feked offering. I consider it to be well made and durable.
 

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Britstuff said:
I use one on my 1974 Commando 850, (also on two other bikes). Wired to my ignition, works great. Is smaller and in my humble opinion more discreet than the feked offering. I consider it to be well made and durable.
Click to expand...
How do you adjust the primary chain with it fitted?
 
I have fitted three of the Kingpin Components/Magneto Guys taps. One to my 650CSR, one to my Atlas Domiracer, & another to a mates 850 Commando. They work perfectly, are nicely made, & are neat & unobtrusive.
 
komet said:
How do you adjust the primary chain with it fitted?
Click to expand...
In order to gain better access to the adjuster nuts, I slide the oil feed and return flexible pipes off of the oil pipe junction block, (to the rear of the timing case). Even if I did not have the tap installed, I would still do this anyway, (saves stress to the flexible pipes and (if fitted) the rather inadequate looking stock, (non barbed) pipe interface on the rear of the oil filter). Maybe overkill, but anything to avoid oil on the rear tyre and or a seized engine. Plus, with the tap fitted I don't even have to drain the oil tank first!
 
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From reading some of the above entries, there seems to be a possible concern regarding the durability / quality of construction of the Magneto Guys tap. For what it's worth I also own one of the Feked taps, (which I never installed). I would agree that the feked tap is a solidly constructed item. However, I consider the Magneto Guys tap to be just as well built, and to my mind better designed and more aesthetically pleasing. I really like them, and would happily install one on any applicable bike. The other bikes I have have them installed on are: 1959 AJS Model 31 Deluxe and a 1962 Norton 650SS.

Belated thank you to @Matchless for suggesting to me the use of the Magneto guys tap several, (I think) years ago!
 
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Heres another candidate I saw recently
www.lowbrowcustoms.com

Oil/Ignition Shut-Off Valve Pre-2000 Harley-Davidson

Pre-TwinCam engines have a spring loaded ball check valve to prevent the engine oil from seeping down to the crankcase. These check valves don’t last forever. If you try to start your engine after a lengthy period of inactivity (e.g. winter), the oil in the crank case gets forcefully ejected via...
www.lowbrowcustoms.com www.lowbrowcustoms.com
 
speirmoor said:
Heres another candidate I saw recently
www.lowbrowcustoms.com

Oil/Ignition Shut-Off Valve Pre-2000 Harley-Davidson

Pre-TwinCam engines have a spring loaded ball check valve to prevent the engine oil from seeping down to the crankcase. These check valves don’t last forever. If you try to start your engine after a lengthy period of inactivity (e.g. winter), the oil in the crank case gets forcefully ejected via...
www.lowbrowcustoms.com www.lowbrowcustoms.com
Click to expand...
I think these must be made from solid billets of Costalotium judging by the price.
 
My solution uses a standard tap, with a small magnet glued (and taped - belt and braces!) onto the tap lever.

Magnet activates a Hall sensor to allow power to the Boyer.

Seems reliable (and easily by-passable on the road if it fails), cheap, and fun to engineer. It's quite small too.

I have the same set up on the 750 featherbed.

I only use them when the bikes are stored (longer than overnight)
 

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AndyDMC said:
My solution uses a standard tap, with a small magnet glued (and taped - belt and braces!) onto the tap lever.

Magnet activates a Hall sensor to allow power to the Boyer.

Seems reliable (and easily by-passable on the road if it fails), cheap, and fun to engineer. It's quite small too.

I have the same set up on the 750 featherbed.

I only use them when the bikes are stored (longer than overnight)
Click to expand...
You're not, by any chance, related to a certain W. Heath-Robinson? ;);)
 
maaseyracer said:
I have heard about wet sumping and blowing the seals out for years, but I have never seen a bike that has done this. I would think a reed valve breather would be a better solution than this.
Click to expand...
My 74 mk2 850 blew the crankseal apart, not out, after starting with a wetsump. Did not notice any issues until after 20 min ride, rear wheel got well oiled from primary filling up and spewing out the felt seal. Thats the day I set about finding a solution...manual tap with ign cutout. Homemade for $15.
 
Tornado said:
My 74 mk2 850 blew the crankseal apart, not out, after starting with a wetsump. Did not notice any issues until after 20 min ride, rear wheel got well oiled from primary filling up and spewing out the felt seal. Thats the day I set about finding a solution...manual tap with ign cutout. Homemade for $15.
Click to expand...
Reed valve not only returns oil but limits crankcase pressure - way to go!!
 
All reed valves, or just the sump versions (CNW etc.)? I have the XS650 version in the crankcase breather hose on my 850mk3. Is that sufficient to crank it on the starter without risking the crank seal?
 
Mart UK said:
All reed valves, or just the sump versions (CNW etc.)? I have the XS650 version in the crankcase breather hose on my 850mk3. Is that sufficient to crank it on the starter without risking the crank seal?
Click to expand...
The sump versions clear the sump very fast - way faster than the oil pump. I doubt that one in the line clears it at all since it has direct no access to the oil in the sump.
 
For me at least, I do not look at a tap (or inline valve, timing cover mod or whatever) and a reed valve breather as a one OR the other decision. I like using both on my two Norton's. Sure, both devices can have some function overlap, but both have their own tangible benefits. I think both make my bike's that little bit more usable / easier to live with.

My Norton's are equipped as follows:

1974 850 MKII Commando: Magneto Guys tap AND Jim Schmidt timing case mounted reed valve breather.
1962 650 SS: Magneto Guys tap AND NYC Norton Sump reed valve breather.
 
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