Wet sump idea....

[Worty]

I'd seen them BoN, but have the same nagging doubts about failure.  At least with the manual tap (or maggy connected one), you know when it's on and off.

I'd want a fail safe system that ensures oil gets through in the event of failure.  If the oil pump was a bit weak, or there was some sticking of the valve, it'd be more inclined to close rather than fail open.  There was also some concerns the valve itself may impede oil flow.

I'm just too unsure to go down that route.

[Greybeard]

I'm sorry if I sound smug about this. I cured wet-sumping on my bike by overhauling the valve in the crankcase near the pump. I bought a new spring and ball. I tapped the ball lightly using a flat ended drift to improve the seating of the ball. If the oil level in the tank was a bit low after being left for a month or so I'd start the bike and let it tick over. Any oil in the sump was soon returned to the tank.
Did these bikes wet sump when they were new?

[Worty]

Not smug GB, very sensible.  However, some motors (like mine) have been so messed about with over the years that (probably) very few things are in 'ideal' condition.  I'd have to ask Bergs if he did anything with the ball and spring but, even if he did, the hole in which they go may well have been a bit chewed up.  It was hard enough to get a decent, original oil pump to work.

Fresh out of the factory, I would imagine they worked very well.

[limeyrob]

Having got my valve all reseated and new and still having a serious wet sump issue, the worst on any bike I've had, I'm a bit lost. I think its either coming through the pump or something has got stuck under the ball.

[Rex]

They didn't need to "work well" fresh from the factory as they were used every day as transport rather than as weekly toys, and as such the oil didn't have time to drain down by much.
Even if it did and the bike smoked a bit on start-up...who cared?

[Worty]

They didn't need to "work well" fresh from the factory as they were used every day as transport rather than as weekly toys, and as such the oil didn't have time to drain down by much.
Even if it did and the bike smoked a bit on start-up...who cared?

But do you think they worked better fresh from the factory rather than after 60-70 years of use/abuse?

[limeyrob]

Well everyone on here knows the answer to that - 60-70 years old things are much better...

[chaterlea25]

Hi All,
Rob,
If you remove the timing cover and wash the pump and surrounding area with solvent,
Then sit and watch where the oil starts to appear from..
Pump joints and drive spindles are favourite then even through porus pump bodies
No amount of ball tapping will make a difference
Unless you have an end feed conversion you can even start the bike and see where the oil pisses out

John

[limeyrob]

Yes, I'm kicking myself. A few weeks ago I replaced the pump gasket just in case - made no difference - clutching at straws etc. But I should have given it a clean, got a cuppa and sat watching it for a while.  Since it can drain 1/4 pint in a few days it would be visible withing the hour.

[RogerSB]

Here's a photo of a Bri-tie valve, referred to by BagONails, this one was already fitted to my 1960 A10 when I bought it. I think it's pretty neat but I was nervous of it because it relies on suction from the oil pump to suck a ball, which is held in place by a spring, away from its seating for oil to flow. After removing it I just rode my bike often enough for wet sumping not to be a problem.

In the 60s and 70s when riding an A10 as my daily transport I'd not even heard of wet sumping, it just wasn't a problem then and so it wasn't talked about.

A couple of years ago I fitted a switch from The Magneto Guys, it's the one with the magneto cut out. If not turned on you can't start the engine because the magneto is shorted out. If you turn the switch off with the engine running it'll cut the engine in the same way as the cut out switch on the handlebar. Its a ball valve inside so turning the switch to on it turns the ball to the open position. Unless the switch is turned fully open it still won't allow you start the engine, so it ensures that there is always full flow for when the engine starts.

The only problem I had with it a couple of times initially was that I forgot to turn it on and my bike wouldn't start - until it dawned on me.

Rog.

[Worty]

Nice to hear from you Rog!!

[RogerSB]

Thanks Worty, been in hibernation.
Rog.