HI All, MY favorite bike 65 norton Atlas might have a vent problem? I can only run the oil tank half full otherwise oil will pour out of the vent hole on the oil tank cap. Does anyone have a fix for this messy problem. Thank you Jimmy

This can happen when there already is excess oil in the sump, that has found its way there over several days due to the effects of gravity. The rider checks the oil tank, it appears low, so more oil is added. After about 20 -30 seconds the excess oil finds its way back to the oil tank and presto, your oil tank is now overfull, and the overflow takes over. There are remedies for this; check your oil after the engine has been run for about a minute to allow things to get back to normal( if such occurrences can exist with British bikes) or, start the procedure of finding why oil is seeping past the oil pump, etc. into the sump. I have had several Nortons and Triumphs and they are all prone to some extent with this malady. The bottom line is that if a new oil pump is installed, or the relative washers checked, it soon reverts back to this situation. My theory is, that these bikes in their heyday were ridden to work every day, and used as primary transportation, and this problem seldom occurred. Ask me about the winters in the UK, they were colder than they are now..today, riders may pull their trusty steeds out of the shed once a week, or month and sumpin' happens. Ride your bike regularly, and it gives far less trouble, or breakdown than just sitting there!

>HI All, MY favorite bike 65 norton Atlas might have a vent >problem? I can only run the oil tank half full otherwise oil >will pour out of the vent hole on the oil tank cap. Does >anyone have a fix for this messy problem. Thank you Jimmy Hi Jimmy! I just came across your question. Here is what I think is your Problem: it is not the vent hole, it is the upper L-shaped bracket that is welded to the top of the Oil-tank and the weld or the tank itself is cracked and the oil just spills out. It is hard to see. When bolted up, there must be NO tension on that bracket. The two bottom stud-nuts just snug with just a little Lock-Tite. Yuo will be fine. Cheers, Heinz in New Mexico.

>HI All, MY favorite bike 65 norton Atlas might have a vent >problem? I can only run the oil tank half full otherwise oil >will pour out of the vent hole on the oil tank cap. Does >anyone have a fix for this messy problem. Thank you Jimmy Hi Jimmy! I just came across your question. Here is what I think is your Problem: it is not the vent hole, it is the upper L-shaped bracket that is welded to the top of the Oil-tank and the weld or the tank itself is cracked and the oil just spills out. It is hard to see. When bolted up, there must be NO tension on that bracket. The two bottom stud-nuts just snug with just a little Lock-Tite. Yuo will be fine. Cheers, Heinz in New Mexico.