Primary case oil

[chotus52]

Hi all,
My 55 Shooting Star doesn't have any drain/level plugs at the bottom of the primary case. How do I check the level or drain the oil? Is SAE 30 engine oil ok? Tks

[Greybeard]

One of the case screws at the bottom, probably the one that's near the brake pedal acts as the level plug. There should not be much oil in there, just enough to wet the chain.

[KiwiGF]

Hi all,
My 55 Shooting Star doesn't have any drain/level plugs at the bottom of the primary case. How do I check the level or drain the oil? Is SAE 30 engine oil ok? Tks

Sae 30 engine oil should be fine but probably best to avoid any oil with so called "friction modifiers" as they can cause a clutch to slip, I use sae30 lawnmower oil as it's red and I can more clearly see the chaincase leak as opposed to anything else  .

Some use ATF as it's designed for use with auto box clutches etc, is red, and quite thin, I found the chaincase leaked more using that tho. 

[chaterlea25]

Hi
Access the relevant book here
http://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?topic=454.0

John

[chotus52]

Thanks for the info gents. I assume engine oil is ok in there

[bikerbob]

My advice would be remove the drain screw drain off whatever oil is in the primary case then top up with fresh oil I have been using straight 20 grade fork oil in all my bikes for over 20 years now without any problems, the reason I was advised years ago to use fork oil is that it contains an anti emulsifying agent whereas engine oil does not. Also I do not go off level screws as they can be misleading depends on how level the ground is that the bike is standing on. I prefer to measure the exact amount of oil out much more accurate, and as a final point do not forget that you need to have a fibre washer on both the level and drain screws otherwise you will have a potential oil leak assuming your bike is swinging arm model then the correct amount of oil for your bike is 225cc or 0.4 pint.

[ellis]

SRM say no more than 190 cc. Its just enough to wet the chain and not soak the clutch plates. Works for my gf.

ELLIS

[Rex]

In your DGR pic link, the bloke behind you on the Indian(?)..is it an optical illusion is that bike badly lop-sided?

[Greybeard]

Private message sent

[Black Sheep]

I use tractor universal 10-30 oil. It's cheap from agricultural suppliers and does not contain friction modifiers. Being designed for engines, wet brakes and hydraulic systems it's idea for primary chaincases and forks.
As for the oil level, add oil until you get some oil on your finger when you poke it in the chaincase filler hole when you turn the engine over. Make sure your magneto is earthed when you do this.   

[duTch]

 

.......As for the oil level, add oil until you get some oil on your finger when you poke it in the chaincase filler hole when you turn the engine over.....

 geez- how long are your fingers....

 I guess you mean drag the pinkies along the underside of the top chain run ??

[Black Sheep]

As you say, a finger touching the underside of the chain on the top run. You would need a pet Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) to use a finger as a dipstick. And you could only use it at night as they are nocturnal.