Forum

[Chris Tindal]

I have always kept the oil cap in the slack position and assumed this we as correct. After reading this post I rummaged about and finally found my old 1953 Bullet Instruction book. This is what it says about the petrol cap:

" Petrol Filler. To open, turn to left till catch is felt, push down and turn again to left as far as possible, then lift off. To close push down and turn to right as far as possible.
Oil Filler. Operates the same way as petrol filler"

So to me that clinches it, I've been doing it wrong all these years and the oil cap should be fully tight.

[Leon Novello]

Well, Chris, you will let us know if the bike starts to use more oil, won`t you?

[Chris Tindal]

We'll soon see Leon.

[vince]

the only mention i have ever seen of this transport position is in Gordon May's book. However to add my penny worth It may come from a military directive regarding transporting equipment by sea to ensure that there is no salt corrosion. IE:Make sure oilcap is tight before shipment. and a myth is created!

[Scalyback]

Precisely!



Tighten the thing up, the other position just stops the cap getting lost if it works loose.



You may review my logic if the fire breathing dragon gets me first!



Thou with the scaley'ed back.

[Chris Tindal]

It's quite clear from the original Redditch Bullet handbook that it should be tightened up.

[Mark M]

Early Bullets like my 1953 500 had a tiny hole in the cap. When l first rebuilt it l used a later no hole cap and it pi##ed oil from the crude felt and washer magneto drive seal. I eventually remembered being told about the difference in pre 1956 caps, swapped them over and leak gone. Amazing difference for a 64th hole! REgards, Mark

[Chris Tindal]

Where was the hole on 56 on engines Mark?

[Mark M]

Chris, no hole at all on the post 56. The new breather body is much ( a little) bigger on these engines as well as a proper neoprene seal for the mag drive. The cast alloy breather fitting can have a very restricted bore due to casting variations and is worth drilling out to maximum size though! REgards, Mark

[John L]

Thank you, Dennis C, Roy, Chris Tindal, Bullet whisperer, Mark M, Scalyback,etc. for your comments - sanity at last !.....hopefully you've nailed the lid on this "2 position" nonsense once and for all.