Empty OIL TANK Help needed

I am NEW from this forum my Norton Commando Roadster is freshly arrived from USA to Italy, it is a 1974 850cc-VIN 307777

After a more than 45 maritime trip- before the first start I have controlled the oil tank and I have find it COMPLETELY EMPTY
P.O. said to me that oil level are FULL when the motorcycle was picked up in Kansas
the mechanical of my moto should be revised by the P.O.( a serious seller)and roadworthy - I have somewhere a video with the moto started
FIND!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHi8bVu ... ata_player
Engine aspect: All are apparently clean no leaks traces and charter are completely clean and dry as the flooring under it
As the previous note, I HAVE avoid any start attempt-- waiting to understand --
I am sure also that at the Arrival Port Leghorn -starting attempts was failed and moto must be manually pushed
I haven't any access to information at this regard at the Port of Galveston
alternative NOW can be add some OIL and start - then after the verification of oil circulation and oil leaks- change completely the old oil and oil filter
what do you recommend??
searunner

Welcome to the forum, searunner.

The oil will have drained to the engine sump due to the period of time the bike has been unused. This is normal.

DO NOT add any extra oil to the oil tank until after you have transferred the oil from the sump back to the oil tank and started the engine.

Hi, and welcome.
I saw the you tube video.
It seems that the warning light (the red light on the head light shell) remains switch off when they turn the key for the first start and after switch on with the engine over.
If is this, check the warning light assimilator and the two wires (GY/WG) connection from the alternator (it is not likely that it could be an alternator trouble)
Ciao
Piero

Tanks LAB and Piero for fast reply
Today I open the charter drain plug, and drain the charter-
I have find also the NEGATIVE battery connection wire broken, when I just taste it, and now I will apply a new soldering joint, then i will test as suggest by Piero (occhio di falco-hawk eyed)
I am at the extreme N.E. of Italy TRIEST

If the oil pump is worn it will still pump plenty enough oil to use but when sitting oil will drain past the pump into the sump over some variable of time days to weeks. Wet sump starts are a non issue that may actually be good for life of cam shaft/lifters but should peek in oil tank to make sure a enough oil in it to supply pump for a few seconds then pump refills tank faster than empty. Commandos tend to burn and loose oil like antiques are know for so generally if tank has emptied into the sump its a safe bet you can just add a few oz's to tank then ride off with adequate oil amount no worry to drain 1st. If 2+ qt's of oil in sump wait a few seconds at low idle rpm before rev up to cam break in rpm to clear sump and expect some smoke from bore splash till it clears in a few more seconds. If ring in good shape even that won't make smoke while emptying sump. The only danger we-me have heard of full wet sump starts is a few weak crank oil seals blown out, easy to fix yet we heard dozens of tales of anti-wet sump devices failing with engine deaths in singles to twin Nortons. If you over fill oil tank it will tend to make a mess whilel seeking its natural Norton full level.

searunner said:

Tanks LAB and Piero for fast reply
Today I open the charter drain plug, and drain the charter-
I have find also the NEGATIVE battery connection wire broken, when I just taste it, and now I will apply a new soldering joint, then i will test as suggest by Piero (occhio di falco-hawk eyed)
I am at the extreme N.E. of Italy TRIEST

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BEWARE.... the POSITIVE earth (ground) electrical system, if connected in reverse, damage will be done.

Duh the only thing damaged is sense of wits owning a Commando and proper size fuse to replace.

Tanks to all for reply - this is a very active forum
I have fixed the wet sump problem- my NORTON are unmolested and appear to be original- in all aspects (also in the bad) so POSITIVE GROUND are effective, and I am usual on LUCAS wiring problems,
I should restore it to the golden days, with few invisible MOD to increase affidability
Some photos of the baby
https://picasaweb.google.com/1127708198 ... tGIwZujpwE
Cheers

searunner said:

Some photos of the baby

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I notice photo 2 shows the rear brake cable is routed under the Z plate. :shock: This can cause the brake to lock the wheel when the suspension becomes compressed.

For safety, re-route the cable in the correct position = OVER the Z plate as shown below

seems to be some very messy puppies in there . a drop or two may be acceptable , but is unsuitable to eat dinner from . Caustic Soda might do the trick .

Looks like a very nice motorcycle .

hobot said:

If 2+ qt's of oil in sump wait a few seconds at low idle rpm before rev up to cam break in rpm to clear sump and expect some smoke from bore splash till it clears in a few more seconds.

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You don't buy oil in US Quarts in Italy Steve!

Apparently 2 US Quarts is 1.89 Litres (as opposed to two of our British Quarts or 4 pints, which would be 2.27 Litres, due to us having an extra 4oz to the pint)

I think the guy is having enough problems with the language not to have to deal with US measurements :roll:

I spy Google translate at work.....I am currently in NW Italy....sorry I am not near enough to be practical help....

Hehe I don't measure any fluids any more but for Roadholders that get 175 ml max or may hydraulic lock up but with less I'd complain as other do on rough roads. My first introduction to a Commando had the owner checking tank to see it empty over winter so we when to store in his PU with a shotgun I asked him about to be told "oh the bulls need a couple shots at times to get their attention". This crossed my mind again on a bull confrontation on a one lane bridge w/o rails. Anywho he put in 2 oil bottles then started it so 30 sec later we had to step back from the 2 extra qt. or ~1.9 liters spreading out on concert floor, sheepishly telling me I got a free oil change. So I'm a bit insensitive to actually fond of normal amounts of wet sump on cold starts. If ya don't clean up oil on concert fairly well and its humid the floor can become a slush of sticky floating oil layer on a wet layer. With a bit extra planning ya don't need no extra wires to the wet sump valve if the handle is in the way to kick off till moved to open oil flow.
Can not determine actual oil level in a cold Commando.

Tanks for rear brake cable replacement suggestion- I follow
NORTON start immediately - after the contact resoldering and wet sump correction-
The floor are in Kansas City -luckily for me -my wife aren't so permissive
OIL measurement aren't a problem - STOP when FULL

Hehe the more ya learn about your Commando the more ya'll suspect the factory manual errors.

Yo Hobot.....the more he learns about his Norton the more he'll wish he bought a Triumph!.........just kidding boys,just kidding

Ugh, I've tasted Wes's '69 Bonnie agree with Wes, as neat as it is his Commando feels like a saucer ship compared. I've gotten to see all new Triumphs over the recent years too out here and they are some the most sharp looking and sweet real motorcycle sounding but I've got all the mc's I want and being me I don't always even want them. Wes loves his '71 but often enough tells me how bad he's wanted to just walk away from it, then spits in the dirt. I got so addicted to spanking sneers off deadly serious squids and slower-wiser vacationing racers not as familiar here, I want to power up the pecking order comparisons on sort of Norton Peel but completely still a isolastic Commando.

HOBOT, your right about that manual.

I haven't rung out my new Commando yet as I'm chasing some small stuff,but I've got some real hot rodded Triumphs that go like stink. Should be a good comparison coming up soon. I do like the way this Norton makes power though. So far so good.

Yeah man kerinorton thank goodness L.A.B. is here to set us straight after we run into manual mysteries and mis directions. Gosh if we didn't have such on going issues on our Commandos, new and old we'd not have much a social life.

Maybe LAB should write up a new Commando manual a la the Vincent one that wortorn posted. I would buy that one for Princely (of Darkness) sum...

worntorn said:

The original Vincent parts book was excellent, but this new version is even better. It is the result of five years of volunteer work by a retired draftsman and club member.
The book weighs a ton, all pages are laminated. All of the items shown in each drawing are listed in order on the preceding page.
For the timing chest, which was all in one very busy drawing in the old book, we now have Timing chest drawings, 1,2 and 3, along with three parts lists.
A parts book like this is invaluable for assembly purposes, never mind ordering parts. Anyone who has tried to use the Norton Dominator parts book will appreciate the clarity of either the old or better, this new Vincent parts book.

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