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[enfield_trials]

Hi Guys

I am doing service on my recently acquired bullet 350. bit surprised to check the oil levels.

it was just on lower L mark. after cleaning the dip stick putting it back and kicking over few times

still no sign of oil .


previous owner did say it was running.

Questions

> what is recommended oil levels ?

> what oil to use 15W50 , 20W20?


Thanks & Regards
ET

[enfield_trials]

Sorry Typo i mean 20W50 ,


Regards

[stinkwheel]

They can go through quite a bit of oil. I've seen mine do the length of the dipstick on a tank of fuel if it's being ridden hard (hills and headwinds more than speed). You should certainly check your oil level before setting off every time. If mine is on the dipstick, I'm happy. Remember, it should be checked when cold and level for a true reading. A lot of the oil can be up in the top-end when it's been running and takes a while to run back down.



Either 15w-50 or 20w-50 would be fine for the UK climate. If you're running it in really cold weather, the 20w-50 can get surprisingly viscous.



There is a remarkably small amount of oil actually circulating inside the engine at any time and they run cold so they will run ok with well below the dipstick level of oil in. A dry dipstick isn't the disaster it can be on a jap bike, there's usually plenty of oil still in there, the difficulty is you don't actually know how much. If they properly run out of oil, you can rest assured the big ends will destroy themselves in a very short space of time which will give you a big clue.



I take it from your post that you haven't run it yet? See how much oil comes out of the front drain plug. Usually a very small amount, 30ml or so. If there's a lot, it has wet sumped which could well explain the location of at least some of your oil.

[Chris [Stockport]]

Have a look on this website at Hitchcocks ideas for oil.... ACCESSORY SHOP: Tools and Sealants. Also, BULLET CATALOGUE page nine.

[enfield_trials]

@stinkwheel

Thanks for your advise. i was bit worried. mostly have experience with jap bikes.


i will check front plug. my friend did say , top up some oil and push de-compressor lever and kick 10-15 time , so the oil circulate , before starting the bike

yes i havent started the bike, cleane petrol tank,carb,change air filter/spark plug , next oil


@Chris

Thanks i have catalog i will have a look ..

[Bullet Whisperer]

With that much oil showing on the dipstick, I would start the engine, run for 5 minutes or so, then stop and recheck for a true reading. The engine might have wet sumped and you won't get any appreciable amount of oil lurking in the top end after running the engine. I use 20/50 in my engines. Regards, Paul.

[ric]

Don't forget that any oil returning to the tank has to go via the timing chest.

If you drained the timing chest of oil during your service it will take some time (and over 200cc of oil) to replenish it's contents before it starts overflowing back into the oil tank.

Consequently the oil in the tank will be around 200cc less and whereas the oil in the tank once reached the dipstick, it won't after being used to refill the timing chest.

PS Get in the habit now of always leaving the bike at or near TDC on the compression stroke to avoid entering a world of [Enfield] hurt.

[p]

Hang on! Put some oil in before you start, say half way on stick, if it has wet sumped the worst case is you will have too much in and can drain some off - do it the other way and the risk is big end goes - you choose!
If bike is an unknown quantity,(you said someone only told you "it was running,") then I would be inclined to remove quill and check if oil flowing when kicked over - good chance to prime big end with oilcan too - and condition of quill seal, before firing the beast up.
Hope it's all ok!

[stinkwheel]

I'd agree with the post by p above. If it's a completely unknown quantity, I'd check oil is circulating. I never believe what a seller tells me about the running status and servicing of a used bike. They have turned out to be lies too many times. I've twice bought a bike that was "Running when it was put away" which had a brand new, virgin piston and sparkplug in.



The easiest way to check oil circulation is to remove the spark plug, loosen the quill bolt (the large, chrome hex in the middle of the timing cover on the right side of the engine) and loosen one of the banjo bolts on the oil feed to the cylinder head.



Now turn the engine over until oil seeps out round each of those bolts. When you see it, tighten that bolt. You can do the turning over by either repeatedly kicking the engine or by putting it in gear and pushing it about. It can take a while.



It's a reassuring thing to see. A reasonable functional test showing both oil pumps are pumping oil. Once it's up in the head, the rest is gravity. I do this any time I've done a major rebuild or fiddled with th eoil pumps, more for piece of mind than anything.

[enfield_trials]

Thanks for your all suggestion and sharing experience . very brilliant ideas.

going to start the bike on weekend. lets see how it goes.

@stinkwheel
do you mean put in gear and push/drag the bike , while holding the clutch lever ?

regards