Oil leak from chain case

[Robert Laughton]

Hi Folks,

This is Rob in Canada, with a new to me '53KHA.

I first saw this bike in the early '80's at a local British car and bike shop. The bike caught my eye, and I took a picture of it in the shop, next to 3 wheelers being worked on. See picture.

40 years later, I bought the bike!

I got the old girl running after figuring out the no-key, emery cloth and set points.

It has been restored so it ran well, with oil circulating back into the sump tank.

But, I'm getting leaking of oil out the drain hole of the chain case when running.

What's happening?

Thanks,
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Rob
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[dave.owen]

The level plug is too high only enough oil for the chain to touch

Dave

[nevhunter]

Just undo the Large filler Plug and check how much oil flings round when the Motor is running. It COULD also Involve how the cushion drive has been assembled. It's entirely different from the singles set up which can't be used as the spline is not Hardened. Check before further use would be advisable IMHO. You Might Be able to see it with a well focused torch. Other wise off with the clutch and outer cover. Nev

[Robert Laughton]

Thank you Dave and Nev,

The leak seems to have stopped now. I think the previous owner over filled the case for storage.

He did the same to the fuel tank; removed petcock and plugged it, added oil and rolled the tank around to coat the inside, and left it.

I found the fill level plug, I missed that. Running the bike on the center stand in gear, while looking in the fill hole, shows good oil circulation.

Thanks!

Rob

[nevhunter]

You don't need to run it in gear for this check. Something better than engine oil is best for the cushion drive. Set chain tension with gearbox adjuster pushing gearbox forward and the rear chain loaded as it is when going along the road. Nev