Triumphrat

Clint-Rickett

Heres a bit more info for ya. Checked oil yesterday afternoon. Tank was quite low. Drained crankcase. Recovered a large quantity of oil. Not enough to bring tank to correct level. Had a small leak(new) out of the rotor cover.
Removed cover and primary was full of oil. Right to the bottom of the rotor opening. My question is this: If the oil seal between the primary and crank case is shot. Will oil weep into the primary while the engine is running? Could it drain back into the cases after the engine is off, giving the misleading impression that it was wet sumping?

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GrandPaulZ

Yes, it could happen, but would only drain back to the level of the bottom edge of the damaged seal, or common flooded level, whichever is higher.

You are talking about a quart or more...

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GrandPaulZ
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KADUTZ

nortons and bsa almost always have this problem
triumph not as common

Clint-Rickett

Thanks guys.
looks like I'll be changing the seal. The level in the primary was at he bottom of the rotor. any more than that and it leaks out the inspection cover. Thats how I discovered what happened to the missing oil. And paul, it was well over a quart. I drained it out and filled with the correct amount. Will see today if the same thing happens. Thnaks for the heads up.

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panda

on my 60's 500, i drilled a smallish hole at the primary chain level between the primary chaincase, and the crankcase. The hole was aligned with the primary chain. this meant that as the pistons came down they pumped a jet of oil mist onto the rivet end of the primary chain, and on the up stroke emptied any excess oil from the chaincase back into the crankcase. It did have the snag that i had to use engine oil in the chaincase (clutch) but had better lubrication of the primary chain and chain wheels. Do not know tho how this would work out on a 650 engine..but it might help if possible.

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GrandPaulZ

That is essentially what Triumph ended up doing with the 650 engines to use common lube in the crank & primary cases.

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GrandPaulZ
Author of "Old Bikes"
Born Again Bikes
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