Topica Loopframe_Guzzi Archive


Subject: RE: oil pressure

Author: Ray Hale

Date: May 11, 2005, 3:11 PM

Post ID: 1718849773



Greg, gotta agree with John here. It's nice to know the pressure as a
diagnostic but I would be very cautious about watching it too much.
On my Harley the pressure drops to almost nada at idle and I read
somewhere that the pump quits working well below 24psi. A dilemma. It
would be neat to know where the Guzzi pump stops pumping well but I
seriously doubt anyone knows this. Again, do we really need to know?
Most of us get out of idle at the nearest opportunity. No fun sitting
still!
Ray


John Chicoine wrote:
 
I had a simlar experience with my 76 KZ900 in the early 80's. After
installing an oil pressure gage I was shocked to see the oil pressure
fall
to nothing at idle. I went out an bought a new oil pump for $80 and it
did
nothing to change the pressure!

Watch the road not the pressure gage, or you may have real
problems!!!!!!!
:)

John C.

----- Original Message -----
From: "joe jump" <jum-@hotmail.com>
To: <Loopfram-@topica.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 9:34 AM
Subject: RE: oil pressure


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Greg,
I would say those oil pressure numbers are excellent, even for a
machine with half the mileage as yours. The thing your engine really
needs is a constant flow of oil to the bearings. The pressure doesn't
float the bearing off the journal; the film strength is what prevents
metal-to-metal contact. A pressure indication proves that you have an
oil supply to the bearing - the oil does the rest.

I installed a pressure gage on my Commando 20k miles ago during
the rebuild (both top & bottom end). I worried terribly when I noticed
the oil pressure would drop from 70 psi at cold idle to under 10 psi
when hot at 4000 rpm, and go close to zero at extended riding above 4500
rpm. This was with straight 50 wt racing Valvoline or 20-50 Castrol -
made no difference. I did everything I could - checked & replaced seals,
orifaced (sp?) the rocker feed banjo bolts, blueprinted the oil pump,
messed with the pressure relief valve; nothing worked. I finally wrote
to the Intl. Norton Owners Assn. tech advisor (Brian Slark) who used to
be a a factory rider. He told me to take off the gage and ride it - they
all did that. In fact, when Norton started producing the twin, they came
with an oil pressure gage mounted in the tank, but they soon removed it
because of all the hand-wringing it caused when owners saw their oil
pressure go to nada. Brian was right - 20K & no problems. Your oil
pressure sounds great!

Joe in St Louis
850T-Powered Ambo
"Junkyard"

Greg Bender wrote:
 
I successfully installed the oil pressure gauge this evening and went
for a 25 minute ride to see what would happen when the oil warmed up
fully.

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pax sine tedio
73 Eldo "19"

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