The BSA A7-A10 Forum

Technical (Descriptive Topic Titles - Stay on Topic) => Gearbox, Clutch, Primary => Topic started by: Roadrocket649 on 01.05. 2011 15:30

Title: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: Roadrocket649 on 01.05. 2011 15:30
Can anyone enlighten me please

The Haynes A7/ A10 manual states on Page 10

Recommended Lubricants
Chaincase (Primary)            1/6th pint (95ccs/mls)

Further down the page it states

Routine Maintenance and capacities data
Chaincase               SAE 20 (8 fluid ounces or 225 ccs/ mls)

Since one is less than half the other, can someone please confirm which one it is

The bike in question is a 1958 BSA Super Rocket

Roadrocket649
Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: a10 gf on 01.05. 2011 17:08
Try the Swingarm instruction manual (http://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php/topic,454.msg2363.html#msg2363) (top of page 30).
Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: bikerbob on 01.05. 2011 17:49
HI ther
I have always used 20sae fork oil as I was told it does not emulsify and it is 8fluid ounces.
Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: Roadrocket649 on 01.05. 2011 21:05
Thanks A10gf & Bikerbob

The Swinging arm manual refers to to combined drain plug & level plug

Mine has the level plug as the second allen stud on the lower side of the chain case

The shape of the chaincase in the manual looks bigger, which may be an optical illusion, but does the combined level & drainplug have a greater volume?

Roadrocket649
Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: a10 gf on 01.05. 2011 22:40
Try this: http://www.a7a10.net/BSA/manual54/im20-21.jpg (from the plunger manual, has swingarm content as well, now mentioned in the Instruction Manuals (http://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php/topic,454.msg2363.html#msg2363) link post).
Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: Roadrocket649 on 02.05. 2011 08:33
Many Thanks a10gf

Roadrocket649
Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: beezalex on 02.05. 2011 14:55
I would go with the lower figure as the less oil the clutch sees, the better.  There really only needs to be enough oil in there to splash the chain a little bit.  Does your final drive chain run in an oil bath?

Also, ATF is made for wet clutches.  Less sticking and slipping. wink2
Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: Hubie on 03.05. 2011 05:28
Just enough so the bottom run of the chain touches the oil.  That will give it plent to chuck around.  I use ATF as well.

Cheers,
Hubie
Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: A10Boy on 03.05. 2011 11:14
The thing is to avoid the chain running dry. If my maths is correct [doubtful], at 5000 rpm that chain is running at over 1000 ft/sec. it will fry itself after a very short time. Ask me how I know.

EDIT That should be inches/sec DUH.
Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: muskrat on 03.05. 2011 14:08
G'day Andy,
                working with your math my racer running a dry chain at a 5 lap race and 5 race meeting would travel over 1100 MILES with just a 2 second squirt of lube before each race. Never really thought about it like that. Boy those renold chains are good!!!
Cheers
Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: bsa-bill on 03.05. 2011 17:26
I have a mate who was advised to just use chain spray on the primary chain, he did try it - just the once, it got extremely hot.
that short chain really motors compared to the rear one, and without any cooling air
Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: beezalex on 03.05. 2011 17:34
Not to be a smarty pants or anything, but I get:

Engine speed    Engine sprocket dia  Pi(mmm...pi)  in/ft conversion   Min/sec conversion
        |                     |                         |                  |                      |             
5000 rev/min *        3 in              *    3.1419    /     12 in/ft        /    60 sec/mi          =  65 ft/sec

Maybe Renolds chains aren't made of unobtanium...
Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: Roadrocket649 on 04.05. 2011 16:38
Guys

Many thanks for all your comments

The ATF option is something I had not thought about

Interestingly, one of the guys in the WSBSAOC is building a special and has had all the engine parts, wheels hubs , and anything that could be polished so it is like chrome plat - it looks fantastic

He has cut a hole in the primary chainchase to reveal the clutch - as per some ducati's, and intends to just spray the chain with chain oil, instead of using the oil bath

I will certainly share your comments with him

Once again, many thanks everyone for your comments

Roadrocket649

Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: bikerbob on 04.05. 2011 20:00
Hi there
Could some one please tell me what ATF is please.
Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: a10 gf on 04.05. 2011 20:17
2 possibilities *smile*

http://www.atf.gov/
or
http://www.gtfours.co.uk/what/atf/atf.htm
(some interesting comments about ATF and standard gearoil differences)
Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: A10Boy on 04.05. 2011 20:53
Unless I am very much mistaken - which to be honest is very likely.

22 tooth @ 1/2 pitch = 11 inches. 5000rpm/60 = 83.33333333333 revs/second. 83.33333333333 X 11 = 916f/s.

My original calc wrongly used a guessed at 5/8 pitch but its more or less the same.  
Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: beezalex on 04.05. 2011 21:21
Unless I am very much mistaken - which to be honest is very likely.

22 tooth @ 1/2 pitch = 11 inches. 5000rpm/60 = 83.33333333333 revs/second. 83.33333333333 X 11 = 916f/s.

My original calc wrongly used a guessed at 5/8 pitch but its more or less the same.  

...which is periolusly close to the speed of sound.

Divide by 12 to get ft/s from inches/s.

*again, sorry to go all super-dork on y'all...but I've been grading papers for the last three days*

Cheers!
Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: trevinoz on 04.05. 2011 22:09
Bob,
             ATF = Automatic Transmission Fluid

   Trev.
Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: A10Boy on 05.05. 2011 13:19
Of course I forgot that bit. 916/12 = 76 Ft/s. Its still fast and will cook itself in a few minutes.

When I used ATF I found the clutch worked really well, but ATF will leak a lot. When I fitted an SRM clutch pressure plate and springs I went back to 20 grade oil and no leaks. Although the clutch centre with the wrong direction spiral didnt help!
Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: bikerbob on 05.05. 2011 13:52
Hi there thanks for that info have never thought of using ATF before have always used 20sae fork oil did once use 50sae engine oil but had problems with clutch plates sticking together so reverted back to fork oil  been using that for at least 14 years without any problems.
Title: Re: Primary Chaincase oil volume
Post by: iansoady on 05.05. 2011 13:59
Always used ATF in the Commando which had sintered bronze plates, but as I had some 15 grade fork oil lying about I thought I'd try that in the A10 and it seems fine (so far). The only worry I have is that after I'd put it in I noticed that it said "low friction" on the bottle. I know that using car oil with friction modifiers in modern bikes can cause clutch slip so I hope there's nothing like that in there.