oil pressure

Badkneebob · #1 05-03-2008, 12:06 PM

Hi there! I bought a 46 Knuck a few months ago that has been "built" with S&S wflywheels and S&S jugs to bring it up to an 88" motor. It has an S&S super E, Mallory electronic ign., Leinewebercam (don't know which one), primary belt drive and Rivera clutch. I am running 70 wt oil and the oil presure is about 35-40 when I first start it. After riding for 20 min or so it drops to under 5 at idle and only go up to about 10psi when I kick up the RPM's. Is this normal? Have the old H-D service books,shope dope, what fits what, etc. and can't find any info on what should be normal operating specs. I have been riding since 1970 but it was an XLCH back then. Always was a fan of the knuck and could finally afford one. I also have an 03 softail that has a 95" big bore kit puttin out 95 Hp and 95TQ for the long distance rides but NOTHING beats the WOW factor of the Knuck. Can wrench most of my stuff it just hard to find guys who know about the old stuff and have good information. Just to make it clear the bike was built about 5 years ago and has about 4500 miles on it now by the speedo. I was told by the previous owner the motor was checked out by a guy named Jack Larson in Belton Missouri? As I am in the Chicago Il area any help is greatly appreciated and I will go any reasonalbe distance for help. Thanks in advance Bob

Badkneebob · #2 05-04-2008, 11:53 AM

Anybody? help!!!

pittguy · #3 05-07-2008, 04:19 PM

Your oil pressure acts like most others that own a knuck or pan.Oil pressure falls way off after bike is hot.Its normal as long as an increase is seen when rpms raise.

sqdealgeorge · #4 05-08-2008, 06:19 PM

10 psig when hot That's to f#$king high!! The knuck sounds fine

Badkneebob · #5 05-27-2008, 01:33 PM

thanks for the help. After finally having the weather get nice enough to take a decent ride I see the oil press. fall off to almost zero. Nothing clatters so I know its gettin oil to the top end just was worried about the botom end when I was crusin. Needle does move up when the rpms come up but not much. I know that these motors were probably designed to operate on low oil press to keep the leaks down. Not a neat freak, can live with the oil drips and expect that. Just tryin to learn about what is right when operatin the old iron, hard to find guys wo have been there and know. BTW had it out for a putt yesterday and stopped by the local hagout to show it to a old friend. Had a couple of young guys (25 or so) come up to me and asked what year my sportster was! They about fell over when I told them it was a 46 Knuck not a sporty. Trying to educate the youngsters so they keep the fire burnin!

sqdealgeorge · #6 05-30-2008, 09:39 AM

I used to run 70 wt oil back on the east coast but in wisconsin I run 50 wt good enough I run S&S 80 in wheels with the orig linkert carb orig cylinders .030 os There is talk of a knucklehead gettogether (motorcycle and owner) in Pepin Wi possibly early july 2008 E-mail thisoldbike@thisoldbike.us if interested