Windage plate

Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, and 850 California Police models

Updated: 2006 July 24

This is my first-ever windage plate.

A little background: The purpose of a windage plate (in my rudimentary understanding) is to greatly reduce oil being whipped up into a mist by all of the rotating parts in the crankcase (crank and pistons, mostly). By doing so, the oil remains more separated and you'll have less oil coming out of the breather tube under hard driving conditions (like extended high speed interstate operation). This only works if the windage plate is positioned ABOVE the oil line...which on the V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado requires a sump extension (which I have). After adding the sump extension on my Ambassador, I noticed a decrease in the amount of oil being pumped out of the breather tube. The addition of the windage plate has further decreased my oil loss.

Important note: Any time a sump extension is added to a loop frame engine, the oil pick up must also be extended to reach the new, lower oil level.

The first photo shows the plate by itself on a yellow background...so you can easily see the holes. The remaining photos show the plate mounted on an old engine block I have. The purpose of the large hole extending from the oil pick-up is for the dipstick and for the oil return from the breather.

For the most part, I'm pleased with the outcome. I would, however, make the following changes with subsequent plates:

• I did not transfer the holes for the oil return from the timing chest...and later had to elongate the holes as you can see in the photos. Poor planning on my part and next time I'll mark carefully.
• The two rows of three holes you see together...those I would switch to be only one row of three holes and position those in the middle of the existing holes. I think the one hole is too close to the large cut out. I'm also not entirely sure I need those holes at all...but I copied my design from those posted by Pete Roper and Ed Milich...so I put them there trusting their experience and knowledge. After further contemplation, I believe the purpose of those holes is to permit oil to drain back down into the sump when the bike is parked on its side stand...oil tends to puddle forward and to the left. Given my current understanding, I would add three holes close the edge of the sump.
• I used 0.05 inch thick aluminum sheet as the material. It was easy to work with, but had a tendency to bend if my jig-saw caught it wrong when I was cutting it. Ed Milich used 0.1 inch thick aluminum sheet for his material and I bet he didn't have this trouble. I have not had trouble with the plate cracking (after 3,500 miles of use).
• I might consider making smaller, individual holes for the dipstick and the breather return line...so I can prevent more windage.