HI, My oil light is not coming on with the ignition, so last night I took the manual to bed and read up on the lubrication system, this morning I found the oil pressure switch, so I just took the plug off, earthed it against the engine and on with the ignition, the oil light lit up! So I put the plug back on, wriggling a bit to get a good contact, no joy! My question is, do I have to get a new switch or can I take it off and work at it to get it working or is it repair by replacement? Another point is: As the bike has been sitting for a while, there wouldn't be an airlock there that would cause it to misbehave, the oil did run down into the crankcase, but it was soon scavenged when the engine started, so anyone had any experience of this before, I would like to find out before going to the dealer for a new switch. :banana Cheers Dave
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The only thing I can tell ya is they don't cost much, maybe 15 bucks. My brother had to change his on his 03 because it was dripping a bit. I don't think there is much you can do with the switch other than make sure you have good contact and oil pressure.

about all you can do to it is make it start to leak, or replace it

Thanks for the reply Chuck and a45junkie, I'll take it off and see if I can get a new one from the dealer, if it's going to cost about $15 in your part of the world, then here in I. Ireland it'll cost an arm and a leg!http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/1961littledave/50.gif

I'm amazed that this is the first one you've replaced on an '03. These switches are crap and fail frequently. I've replaced mine 2 times in 3 years and 30,000 miles.

Gazza

My expert inde sportster mech says put in a new one whenever you have it out for any reason. They do fail often. They are cheap.

You'd think that they would get it fixed and get a reliable make that would last for a while. If I have to keep changing it, I'm tempted to fit a oil pressure guage on, any ideas?

You'd think that they would get it fixed and get a reliable make that would last for a while. If I have to keep changing it, I'm tempted to fit a oil pressure guage on, any ideas?
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Read in a bike magazine that the oil pressure on a Sporty changes a wide degree at different phases/conditions. I.E. start-up, in traffic, idling, etc., etc.

After reading that bit of news, I decided against adding an oil pressure gauge. Sounded as if I wouldn't get the info I wanted. Pressure changes too much.

just bought a 1200 used. driving home the temp got over 300. don't have a clue how hot they run, is 300-350 normal in stop and go traffic? if it is running hot, must be oil not circulating, right?

just bought a 1200 used. driving home the temp got over 300. don't have a clue how hot they run, is 300-350 normal in stop and go traffic? if it is running hot, must be oil not circulating, right?

175 to 250 is normal. IMO: 300 to 350 is crazy. Something is wrong. Do not ride it.

175 to 250 is normal. IMO: 300 to 350 is crazy. Something is wrong. Do not ride it.

YES, right Mick! Search here for checking intake leaks and jetting info - sounds really lean.

Well , I fitted the oil pressure switch, and its working ok, cost me 11 quid, but I've seen some oil pressure guages on your US site, but they have two sizes of pressure; 100lbs and 60 lbs, what is the pressure on a sporty? Can anyone help with some info? Cheers Dave:clap