Forum

[Ameya]

Hello Axel, I had an issue with my bike where a lot of oil was coming out of the breather pipe. I used to see a lot of oil on the rim of the rear wheel, the main stand and when parked, on the floor. I saw that my cylinder barrel was completely worn out thus causing a lot of play in the piston movement. I put a size 20 piston and machined the barrel, now there is no oil coming out of the breather pipe. Also, I changed the feed pump and scavenge pumps.

[axel_foley24]

Hi Norm,
I was in Ballina, northern NSW. My mechanic ended up leaving it, as he didn't want to take it apart without knowing what to look for. I have just moved down to Sydney as of yesterday so took the bike down with me. My mechanic thought I'd have more luck with Enfield mechanics in Sydney. Do you have any suggestions?
Cheers, Tim

[Norm]

Tim, most mechanics want to fob you off, nothing unusual about that, very hard to find somebody prepared to be bothered working on them. If you find someone to look at it be very careful because very quickly the repair bill can exceed the value of the bike. I can only suggest you learn how to work on it or offload it. If you decide to keep it join RECOA and we will see if we can help but you won't get much help from the Sydne mob, they spend more time drinking lataes

[axel_foley24]

Thanks Norm!
I've found a place called Motorciclo in St Peter's who sell and restore enfields. I guess I just want to diagnose the problem then decide whether to try fix it or just off load it. I think the smart money would be to offload it either way but if it's otherwise in good nick I may keep it and join the RECOA. It's such a beautiful bike I may not be able to part with it! (Then I'd have to start learning). Right now I have no vehicle so have to make some decisions pretty quickly... Thanks for all your advice Norm, very helpful!
Tim

[Norm]

Tim, Motochiclo are good but they charge like any bike shop and as I guessed you do not have a long term relationship with Enfields, so my advice is to offload it for what you can, and look around for a cheap Japper, plenty of those out there, Enfields are a very expensive hobby, great for people who enjoy that sort of stuff, but many people get sucked in by their looks

[Tim NZ]

My experiences with 'Indian' built/repaired/restored Bullets is rather much the same as Norms: Total waste of time and money.
But all that aside, oil out the breather means the return (forward) oil pump is not working...
Which usually means the rocker lines are blocked...
Which usually means the rockers are clogged with white metal...
Which means the big end is stuffed...
Which usually happens because then oil seal (cork) in the end of the crankshaft has disintegrated.
Which IF the motor is a 'fudged' 350 converted to 500, with the built-up timing side bearing assembly, means that it will not be worth repairing, as EVERYTHING else on the bike will be worn out too.
I have just 'rebuilt' (replaced) the front end on a early 60's Indian Bullet: New rim and spokes, new axle and wheel bearings, new brake-shoes cam bushing, cam and springs, 'new' second hand hub as the pattern made Indian parts had mis-drilled spoke flanges and scored lining! New fork tubes bushes and seals. Only original parts kept from the front end are the latter model guard and stays...

[axel_foley24]

Haha, ok thanks fellas that's pretty emphatic! Looks like I'll be going back to my postie for the time being... I like the look of the 80s BMWs. Any warnings on these??

[Norm]

Tim, Postie bike is the way to go, as for the BM's all depends on how they have been treated, generally not too bad, K's are cheap, usually have a rattle from the balance shaft but they go for a million miles if you can tolerate the noise at idle, airheads are more expensive but it is a case of scratching around, ebay,gumtree,just bikes, bike sales. Should pick up a good airhead for what most people pay for an average Enfield

[John M]

If your bike is puking oil through the breather after it has been standing for a week or so it may just be wet sumping and struggling to clear the oil pooled in the crankcase. I would run it for a while and see if it sorts itself out.
My Indian 350 does this when it has been standing for a month or so, I think it sulks, it is fine after a short run.

[Norm]

John it is always a guessing game, people come on asking about things we know are fairly normal and we assume the problem has just started, but as we find out in many cases it is a new owner who has never owned an Enfield before and we go off looking for solutions which in actual fact is normal Enfield behavour, carby problems,starting procedure,wet sumping, dragging clutches, list is endless