1948 Oil - Feedline Shutoff

[ddeblois1206]

Hello Indian Group,

I have a 1948 Chief that I have not had running in about 6 years. I am in process of going through the standard items to get it rolling again.

Back when I had the bike running and was able to ride it - relatively frequently - I always had a problem with oil leaking down through the oil pump and filling up the crank case (especially in the hot summer months). If the bike sat for a week or two without being able to ride or start it, enough oil might bleed down into the bottom end that 2 things might happen:
1) I would have to drain the oil and pour it back into the tank
2) I would start the bike, oil would blow past the piston rings, and I would fog the neighborhood until enough oil was pumped back up into the oil tank

Does anyone know if there is an oil line shutoff kit out there? Has anyone seen an aftermarket oil feedline shutoff?
Before it is said: I am keenly aware what might happen if I start my bike with the oil line shutoff. I am just looking for a way to stop oil from bleeding down between rides.
As I get the bike back onto the road, I anticipate that I will have even less time than I previously had to ride/play with it. I'm just looking for a way to make the pre-ride checklist quicker/easier.

I was using SAE 50 weight. I'm not even sure if I can still get straight 50 weight as my local hotrod shop closed down. But this is a different concern.

Any thought or comment are appreciated.

Dave DeBlois - Member 15039

[tfburke3]

I would not recommend a shut off for the reason you mentioned.You may also want to consider the restriction the valve will be compared to the tubing Id unless you use a full port valve which will be much larger.
Most leakage on the aluminum pump is thru the pump cover plate hole and the pump main drive shaft.there is no seal and the oil weeps past shaft into pump housing and crankcase.
.I would check this clearance.
If you have the ball valve installed in the pump inlet you can try to improve its seating with various methods.This was the factory solution ,but has its own issues,and there is a chance yours has been removed,which was often done.
I would deal with the leakage,or pull pump for inspection.
Tom

[pisten-bully]

^^^what Tom said!

If you DO install a shutoff, put one of these on it :
IMG_3826.jpeg

[ddeblois1206]

That would have been my plan!

[tfburke3]

If your really set on an external shut off,you could splice in a short section of tubing and use a hemostat type tubing clamp.Not likely to take off with something like that hanging off the motor.
Tom

[PaulCDF]

Dave Welcome!

There was a gent on a fb Indian site making and selling such a shut off. I wanted to have one so I bought one but never installed (Madness runs in my family)

I like Tom's idea of a short piece of tubing and a clamp.

I use an EZ drain and a dedicated CLEAN container.
I empty my oil tank after each ride as I usually only ride 1-2x/wk weather permitting.
Then I refill before the next ride.
Some will say this is too much hassle but for me it is just part of my 'pre-flight' ritual: kick the tires, check the frog, pour in the oil ect

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

s-l1200.jpg

[jim d]

There is at least one or possibly two manufacturers of shut off valves made. I know the one came in two different versions. One was strictly a mechanical shut off. But it was also available with a electrical switch built into it. The bike couldn’t start until you turned on the oil feed. I think it is a British made item. But I think there’s another one made by someone else. I saved the information for the British one but would have to search for it.

I did some research a company called Pan Am Oils has one with an electrical cutout built into it. Out of stock now but handled by
Low Brow Custom. I know the other one was British and sold by a British motorcycle parts supplier.

[tfburke3]

s-l1200.jpg

The upper level plug would leave the correct amount of oil in the sump,if you have one,later chiefs don't.
Interesting that's a restamped earlier 40s,not a 47 case.
Tom

[otis71]

Or hang the ignition key on the valve after shutting it off.

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

Tom, good point about the upper plug. I always drain the lower to check the magnet and to see if any questionable material comes out from the bottom of the sump. The picture of the case was to illustrate the sump plugs. Got the picture off the "interscreens".

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

https://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/products/oil-ignition-shut-off-valve-pre-2000-harley-davidson

Opera Snapshot_2025-03-04_172841_www.lowbrowcustoms.com.png

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/shovelhead/1292530-oil-shut-off-valve.html

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

https://www.feked.com/anti-wet-sump-oil-pipe-tap-with-switch-magneto-or-coil-ignition-systems.html

[ddeblois1206]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback! Some options for me to explore...

My '48 only has the lower plug on the crank case. And that was part of my pre-ride process a few years back when I had time to ride. I was just trying to make the pre-ride process quicker and easier so I could get out there more.

I am still on the 6-Volt setup. I am wondering if the Pan Am Oil shutoff will work. It seems like it would - it just looks like it shorts the system until the petcock is switched over.

Anyway, thanks again!