Sump Oil Filter Cover

Thanks for that, Nick. Sounds like I shall probably have to do a bit of bullet munching too if I'm to achieve an oil-tight sump cover. Is the super-duper NOC version flat-faced or is it also dished?

Howard

From the description you give of the replacement cover it does seem to suggest that the originals should be flat on their mounting areas too as they do, of course, have a bowl-like depression moulded into them, presumably to allow room for the filtered oil to collect, prior to finding its way back into the oil-return system. I'm still rather puzzled though as to what could cause the plate to become bowed, side-to-side and also back-to-front as it's always held, tightly-clamped, against the flat underside of the crankcase filter mount. I must admit that it does actually look as if it was made in that shape which, if so, leaves me completely nonplussed.

Many thanks Graham for your very helpful clarification. Your explanation also tells me why my bike sports five (count 'em, five!) gaskets down there rather than the regulation two shown in the Parts List illustration. What a weird engineering arrangement! I can understand the function of the (two) gaskets pressed up against either side of the filter lead surround to keep the oil where it's supposed to be, and also the folded-over lip on the cover to allow space for the lead seating plus gaskets but why, in all that's holy, would you make the lipped surround in a curved form rather than flat? What was that supposed to achieve? The fact that the updated version described above by Nick has a flat seating suggests that something is/was wrong somewhere. 

It certainly makes sense Nick and I shall, in all probability, treat the old nail to a new filter, gaskets and 21st century filter cover. However, and as a last throw of the 'make do with what you've got' dice, I've cleaned everything up, slathered the lot in Three Bond and stuck it all back together with fingers crossed. One nagging thought though with regard to the copious amounts of goo I've applied, what will happen if the goo gets squeezed over the oil-return hole in the lead surround? Presumably the oil will still find its way back to the oil tank by short-circuiting the sump filter itself, so (I hope!!) we're not looking at an engine-seizure scenario are we?

Nick, I assume, from your lack of confirmation to the contrary, that you 'got away with it' then, from which it's probably reasonable to infer that yer 'ole wasn't actually blocked, despite your concerns. Now, the question is 'do I feel lucky, punk'. Mmm, I wonder. Presumably, if the return hole is indeed bunged up, the first indication I would get would be when the oil in the sump is forced out of the engine breather, rather than being able to get back to the oil tank. Other than a right royal mess on and around the bike I'm assuming (that word again!) no damage would occur, as the moving parts would still be receiving a supply of lubrication, albeit on a total-loss basis. Sound right to you?

Howard.