Topic: Oil light on, but runs like a champ!?!

[whoismattclark]

Thanks to help given in previous post about rockers gone wrong on my cam cover, I have replaced the cover with a good spare, and the bike is running splendidly.  However, the oil light is still on.

Tomorrow, I'm going to check tappets again for valve adjustment, just to double check my work, but besides that I'm at a bit of a loss.....except.....due to some incident, outside of my control....the bike was laid on its side for an extended period of time, and i believe gas got into the engine and crankcase.  I changed the oil, but could residual gas be thinning my oil enough to put the oil light on?  Got a little white smoke also...otherwise...runs like a champ!


thanks,
MDC

[Sam Green Racing]

It shouldn't break the bank to change the oil again, just to be on the safe side.

Also check that you don't have a duff oil light switch.

Sam.

[TwoTired]

Pull some of the tappet covers to see if oil is being pumped up there.

If so, the pump is working.  To see if it is working well enough, change the oil pressure sender.  If the light goes out with a new one, enjoy the ride.

If you don't have a new sending unit, pull the old one and check the pressure hole for a solid blockage.  Sometime you can clean and flush it out to make it work again.  But, if the little diaphragm inside gets ruptured, replacement is required.

Cheers,

[whoismattclark]

I changed the oil...didn't break the bank...I could afford the extra 3.5 quarts

I haven't checked the oil sending unit.  Wish I did when I changed the oil, but I hadn't seen TT's post suggesting it yet.

Oil light still on.  White smoke still present, but not horrible -- at startup...very little white smoke -- while riding...very little smoke, though its hard to tell while riding and looking over my shoulder -- at idle after a short ride....this is where i see the most smoke, especially if i blip the throttle.

I'm prepping this bike for sale...any thoughts on how much i should deduct from price or how much i should warn prospective buyers if the oil light is on?

[pablo78cb550]

what's your location?

[oldfart]

It was extremely common for this model to fail its oil pressure switch.  We used to substitute the stocker for a 750 unit.  As I recall, the original has a red or orange top, the 750 a slightly taller black top, but it still fits.  The switch will be wet on top because it leaks also.  :-)

Mike

[whoismattclark]

what's your location?

Los Angeles, CA

[whoismattclark]

It was extremely common for this model to fail its oil pressure switch.  We used to substitute the stocker for a 750 unit.  As I recall, the original has a red or orange top, the 750 a slightly taller black top, but it still fits.  The switch will be wet on top because it leaks also.  :-)

Mike

I'm pretty sure that the oil pressure switch is working because the light was off when I first got the bike running, but when I started taking it for test rides, I noticed a lot of noise in the cam, then the oil light came on, and I traced the problem to a work cam cover.  Replaced the cover, and since then, oil light still on.

However, since I'm out of ideas, I will check the switch tonight.  Thanks for the ideas...

[Paul]

As stated,
While the bike is running, remove one tappet cover from each side of the rocker cover, If you can see the oil "Sploshing" over the rockers....the pump is fine and the pressure switch is probably not. Not worth compromising the price for the sake of a replacement switch. Some individuals had a habbit of "Tightening" the screw on the switch head and going a little too far, Also the inlet can get gunked up and stop the diaphram from moving.

[whoismattclark]

i pulled the oil pressure switch.  it was pretty tuff to get off.  pliers wouldn't work. used a 1 1/16 socket to get more leverage.  don't know if it was rust or PO overtightening or a combination.

the switch looks pretty good, but i don't know what i'm looking for exactly.  how does one clean/check the switch.

[whoismattclark]

i pulled the oil pressure switch.  it was pretty tuff to get off.  pliers wouldn't work. used a 1 1/16 socket to get more leverage.  don't know if it was rust or PO overtightening or a combination.

the switch looks pretty good, but i don't know what i'm looking for exactly.  how does one clean/check the switch.

okay, okay....i figured that one out on my own....

grounded the switch and it stayed on.  pulled switch from other motor.  now lights off!  thanks guys for all your help.  this forum always has the answers.  proud to be a member.

[pablo78cb550]

what's your location?

Los Angeles, CA

i think i remember seeing your bike on Craigslist. why are you selling it?

[whoismattclark]

what's your location?

Los Angeles, CA

i think i remember seeing your bike on Craigslist. why are you selling it?

I bought this bike a year ago from a listing on craigslist (lazy me, I'm still using the photo from the classified as my avitar), but actually it's not this bike exactly.  I took two non-running 550's and one spare motor...swapped some parts, and now I have this bike running, and the other is not far behind.  I thought I'd end up with one good bike and sell the other off for parts, but I was surprised at the condition of both, even the spare motor.

Lack of garage space, an impatient landlord, and an equally impatient wife dictate owning only one bike.  So, I'll sell this bike as soon as its in running condition.  Then I switch and focus all efforts on getting the 2nd up and running for my daily driver.  Unless a third comes along, which is always possible.  There's a non-running 550 at "Motorcycle Performace Service" on La Brea near Pico that the mechanic wants to be rid of.  It's a lein sale and can be had cheap.  I might flip it, but you can too, if you beat me to it.  Please do.  My wife will thank you.

[pablo78cb550]

what's your location?

Los Angeles, CA

i think i remember seeing your bike on Craigslist. why are you selling it?

I bought this bike a year ago from a listing on craigslist (lazy me, I'm still using the photo from the classified as my avitar), but actually it's not this bike exactly.  I took two non-running 550's and one spare motor...swapped some parts, and now I have this bike running, and the other is not far behind.  I thought I'd end up with one good bike and sell the other off for parts, but I was surprised at the condition of both, even the spare motor.

Lack of garage space, an impatient landlord, and an equally impatient wife dictate owning only one bike.  So, I'll sell this bike as soon as its in running condition.  Then I switch and focus all efforts on getting the 2nd up and running for my daily driver.  Unless a third comes along, which is always possible.  There's a non-running 550 at "Motorcycle Performace Service" on La Brea near Pico that the mechanic wants to be rid of.  It's a lein sale and can be had cheap.  I might flip it, but you can too, if you beat me to it.  Please do.  My wife will thank you.

are you kidding? those pictures of my build are in my living room. i really don't think the little lady would care for me to own three total bikes that much. unless i told her i was going to fix it and give it to her for valentines day. hmmmm