oil light on but bike running fine

[adam79]

79 special. The red oil light (oil/brake.tail) stays on for a 30 to 60 seconds when I start the bike, then the light turns off. I havent rode it in 3 maybe 4 weeks, is the light staying on then turning off because it takes 30 or so seconds to get oil flowing through the engine? my oil level is perfect, I can see it through the window

[natemoen]

79 special. The red oil light (oil/brake.tail) stays on for a 30 to 60 seconds when I start the bike, then the light turns off. I havent rode it in 3 maybe 4 weeks, is the light staying on then turning off because it takes 30 or so seconds to get oil flowing through the engine? my oil level is perfect, I can see it through the window

Could be the oil pressure sender, BUT on the 79 special the oil light also lights up if the tail light burns out so it could be the bulb going bad or the light checker unit malfunctioning.

[bikerphil]

Yep, find the light checker unit under the left plastic side cover. Follow the wires to it's connector and I'll bet the connection there is flaky. Try wiggling the connector and you'll probably see the oil light flicker. You can either clean/tighten the connections or bypass the unit altogether by unplugging the unit and jumping the blue and the blue/yel wires in the harness. Common problem on the 79 Specials.