Oil light comes on after bike gets hot

[slick]

I have a 1950 Pan mostly stock except for STD heads and carb. I just finished a top end job and I up graded the oil pump to a later after market model. I have only clocked about 40 miles on it because when the motor warms up, usually about 5 to 8 miles, the oil light begins to flicker and then will illuminate continuously. I looked down the oil tank filler and as best as I can tell, oil is returning. Does anybody have a remedy? I am running 50 wt oil and I have the accessory oil filter. My oil light comes on when I switch on the ignition and extinguishes when the bike first fires up.

[valvecap]

Look in the archives for this topic. There has been a lot said- mostly not to worry, but at any rate there has been a lot of discussion on this.

[Jack_Hester]

Slick -

Did you replace the oil pressure switch with an aftermarket switch? Also, more discussion in the forum about aftermarket switches have a setting too high, making them come on when they shouldn't.

Jack

[OldHippie]

My '57 had the same problem, and based in info both from this board and the local shop guys, I installed a pressure gauge (J&P Cycles). That did a lot to ease my troubled mind. I'm idling at about 8psi after the bike is warmed up, and running at about 12-15psi. I've confirmed that I have flow by looking down in the oil tank while the bike is running - one of the locals asked, "Does it look like a mocha?" I live in Seattle.... I'd recommend spending the few bucks for a pressure gauge. The peace of mind is worth every penny.