Hitchcocks Forum

Hi Folks


I've been renovating my 94 500 kickstart bullet and have come to the engine (the bit that scares me). This is the first time I have attempted an oil change on an Enfield and it has proved fun so far!



After a specialist sorted out an issue that required the timing case to be removed, he gave me the bike back pretty much empty of oil. He said that when he drained it less came out than he'd expected. Knowing that the bike has been sitting around for 12 months whilst I've worked on it, I figured that it would have a good amount in the sump. I took out the sump plug and, sure enough, over the course of several hours, 3/4 of a pint of very black oil came out! The bike is not ready to be started yet but not wanting to leave it without oil, I pulled out the main drain plug, drained what was left and set about refilling the bike (I plan to re-drain the oil and change the filter before starting the bike when it's back together).



Having read that the capacity is 2.5 litres, I put in 1.75 - 2 litres of oil in, kicked it through a few times to get the oil circulating and low and behold the oil came back out of the oil filler (and all over the floor!). I quickly removed the drain plug and drained out some oil in a mixture of panic and ignorance.


Now I'm wondering - have I damaged anything by overfilling the bike? How much oil should I be putting in? And should the oil filler cap hiss every time I kick it through? I appreciate any guidance people have to offer.


Many thanks

I would suggest you drain the oil tank first before adding oil

What sort of a "Specialist" hands back a bike without re-filling the oil he's just removed ??...Can you expand a bit more on why the timing case had to come off ??..........Yes, agree with NORM...complete drain from ALL plugs then start from a position of knowledge......Hissing in the oil tank is crankcase venting......suggest fitting our hosts breather mod......Worth every penny..PS}--- you could have changed the filter when the timing case was off--

Thanks Norm - though I had but I see my mistake (rookie error!). Would this have caused any damage?

Hi Alan R

I had to have a helical fitted in the crankcase - the specialist asked if I wanted the bike refilled but knowing I was going to drain it all anyway I told him not to.

make that 'helicoil' - damn auto text

Oh, THAT sort of Specialist !!------------ Still, not quite a "Greek Tragedy".. eh ?? ( I checked-out your Avatar name !!)LoL..

Quite a bit of the Enfields oil is in the timing case normally, so by putting it all in the oil tank the level was likely too high which is why it blew out. There are good technical notes on the lubrication system, click the button on the left of this page. I normally pour a litre or so into the tappets, you can't overfill it as there is a hole where the oil returns to the main tank. When starting the engine, loosen one of the oil feed banjo bolts on the head to make sure it is circulating, although it will take quite a long time to come through. No harm will have been caused by doing what you describe.

To answer your question - no,you havn't damaged anything. It's only oil.

Thanks folks - thought I'd been a bit remiss not removing the oil tank drain bolt but having just looked again, it does not have one. There are only two drain points on my 94 bullet and no oil tank plug. Thought it odd but having looked at the parts diagrams it checks out. I'm guessing that however hard I try to drain the bike, there will always be a good litre left in it?