Hitchcocks Forum

Hi has anyone bought and used our hosts Oil filter packing piece part number 40684. If so would you recommend it?Also I hear that some later bikes no longer have the gauze filter fitted to the drain plugs? Does any one know from which year and if you have them is there any information on if they can safely left be off? ( any doubts and I would rather leave them on which I think I would anyway!) Most handbooks say drain plugs my Sixty 5 has 3 do you drain them all any advice much appreciated.

The Packing Piece sounds like a good idea. If there are filters in there I would leave them alone, mine have done 34000kms and never had any gunk in them to be cleaned out. If you are concerned, there are drain plugs with magnets available, I also have a magnetized gearbox drain plug. I don`t know if the Packing Piece is magnetized.

I think from around 2001 they fitted an extra plug, solely for the purpose of draining the oil tank more efficiently..

Metric thread and no filter, being only a drain plug filter would be pointless..

The other two plugs further forward are the oil pump pick up and sump return plugs, these must be filtered and should be examined on oil change for swarf etc..

Usually a good indication of big end wear before the big knock removes all doubt..

I have the packing piece fitted in the filter chamber, seems logical to reduce the amount of oil required to fill the chamber and thus speed up the initial start up circulation.

Difficult to recommend as there are no obvious benefits (doesn't run smoother or faster) but i just have the feeling i'm doing what i can to help... gwilly.

Thanks Guys I will order my packing piece and leave my strainers were they atre if fitted as a good point about big end swarf!

1) It makes little or no difference. 2) It almost certainly does no harm. 3) It costs very little and is easy to fit.
So I would recommend it but only a bit.

1) It makes little or no difference. 2) It almost certainly does no harm. 3) It costs very little and is easy to fit.
So I would recommend it but only a bit.

1) It makes little or no difference. 2) It almost certainly does no harm. 3) It costs very little and is easy to fit.
So I would recommend it but only a bit.

I have the packing piece in my Lightning. I've also got a magnet that sits on the end of it. The packing piece merely fills the void on the inside of the filter. Thus getting the oil to to reach the rocker box faster after an oil change. Other than that, it doesn't do much. The magnet works well in catching minute bits of metal before the oil passes through the filter.

Since my last Enfield, a Superstar, and obtaining a small lathe, I have been intending to make a replacement end cover for the filter chamber with a drilling to inside, sealed with a short screw, so that it can be filled via an oil can for first start up. Who knows, I may even get one made, now that I'm retired. Though I seem to have less time now than when I was working!

What a brilliant idea Nettshubby but instead of a screw how about an oil nipple?
oil could then be pumped in but whichever you used and maybe a bolt would be better for higher pressure I bet you would find a ready mail order market I would buy one!