Help! Low oil pressure?

I've tried searching for this but couldn't see it anywhere.

I have a '99 curvy and was using it yesterday on my normal commute. Whilst stationary at traffic lights the engine began to sound strange and sounded almost like it was going to cut out (for a split second) then was fine, almost stuttering. At the same time when it did this the oil pressure light flickered on (again only for a split second). If I revved the bike at all this never happened nor did it when I was moving. As I had to get home I used it again on the way back and had no such problems although the roads were much quiter so less waiting about. I've checked the oil level and it was quite low but still within the limits.

Anyone got any idea as to what this could be? Am I best not to use it whilst this is happening?

Right first things first the oil light on the SV is only really a warning light, to say something like 'OH god all the oil in the bike has gone'. Now it could be that your oil level is low and that it might not have 'covered' the sensor at some point. So your most important thing to do NOW is hold the bike upright and check your oil level in the window at the side. It should be seen through the window (might need a wipe) and be between the 2 marker lines for high and low. If the engine is cold it might take a little time to level out.
Now if you can't see it you might want to move the bike about to see if you can make any oil out.
If you tip it right, towards you while on the right side of the bike and only then you can see the oil, get some more right now and put it in.

Thanks.

I checked the level last night and it is slightly low, but above the bottom mark so I don't think that's the issue. Any other ideas?

[northwind]

The oil pump's mechanical, so if the revs drop low enough that'll cause the oil pressure to drop- though I've never seen the light come on with that, I suppose it could be the bad running causing it rather than the other way round. I suppose it could also have been some sort of electrical glitch causing the light to come on as well as the bad running, though that's a bit of a reach.

Might well be if the electric cut for a moment the light could have flicked on as part of the normal startup check... though that would have been odd.

Could well have been a momentary stall and the light flashed on then or just very low revs.

[embee]

Almost certainly simply associated with the drop in revs.

The oil light is just operated by a pressure switch, when the revs drop the oil pressure drops too so at some speed will reach the point at which the switch closes and the light comes on. The oil pressure light is really a last ditch warning, if you see it on at normal engine speeds then stop the engine immediately and find out why. It's not unknown for switches to fail and give false warnings (I had one on a BMW once), but they're generally very reliable.

Increasing engine speed increases the oil pressure until it reaches the value of the pressure relief valve, which then more or less holds the pressure at a constant(ish) value (typically 3 or 4Bar hot).

Top up the oil to the correct level (and check it regularly!), then consider the reason for the "stumble".

Since you have a curvey, chokes sticking has to be a candidate, try a search on "sticking choke" or similar.

Otherwise the basic hot idle speed should be around 1300rpm, twiddle the knob to get it right.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Grinch

Might well be if the electric cut for a moment the light could have flicked on as part of the normal startup check... though that would have been odd.

That "normal startup check" is non existant, the oil lights only on before you press "start" because there's no oil pressure.