Duplex primary chain lubrication

[jimbo]

Hello from new member Jimbo. I have a 1955 GF with a Rocket cam and pistons, 12V, belt drive dynamo. It is fitted with an older six spring clutch, which had oiled up plates in it due to ATF. Having replaced the friction plates, the clutch is no longer slipping, and neutral can be found when the motor is running. Bliss! As the bike is not doing big mileages, would it be safe to apply LM grease to the duplex chain instead of oil, to prevent plates getting dirty and avoid leaks?
Secondly, are any of the primary cover bolt holes meant to go right through into the cases?

[muskrat]

G'day Jimbo,  .
I'm assuming it's a swing arm model fitted with a plunger mainshaft and clutch. If so it should have a domed cover over the clutch preventing oil getting onto the plates. My plunger clutch picture attached (with a few mods).
Grease would not be a good idea, probably affect the clutch plates worse. New plates with modern material should handle the oil OK. The oil (either ATF or engine oil) should just touch the chain
Yes the two holes inside and the three larger (outer primary cover) holes at the front go through the case. If longer screws are used they will foul on the crankshaft.

Now go to Pictures, Stories & Introductions, start a new topic and tell us how you came to be the proud owner of an A10.
Cheers

[Tomcat]

ATF? Ive used it in the A65T primary without problems as suggested by this great forum. I just bought an SRM clutch kit and their instruction sheet says don't use it as it will make the clutch slip! ATF is designed to lubricate ball, roller and bush type bearings, to be used as a hydraulic oil and submerges bands and clutch plates which don't slip. SRM suggest that engine oil should be used in the primary, but ommit the crucial bit, motorcycle engine oil. Non motorcycle engine oils have friction modifiers added which make clutches slip. Oil debate number 284 is now up and running!

[a101960]

ATF? Ive used it in the A65T primary without problems as suggested by this great forum. I just bought an SRM clutch kit and their instruction sheet says don't use it as it will make the clutch slip!

Yes, well SRM also tell you not use an engine oil filter as it will invalidate the warranty on any engine that they have worked on. ATF works just fine, with the added benefit that if you have a leak the colour will identify it.

[chaterlea25]

Hi All,
You need the correct type of ATF ?
Since I use Castrol 10/40 motorcycle oil I have not remembered the ATF type

John

[coater87]

ATF? Ive used it in the A65T primary without problems as suggested by this great forum. I just bought an SRM clutch kit and their instruction sheet says don't use it as it will make the clutch slip!

Yes, well SRM also tell you not use an engine oil filter as it will invalidate the warranty on any engine that they have worked on. ATF works just fine, with the added benefit that if you have a leak the colour will identify it.

 They seem to sell some very nice products, but some of the advice does sound a little odd.

 Well, they do rebuild engines. And frequent repeat customers are nice for any shop.

[MartinK]

I have a 53 Gold Flash with the 6 spring clutch. I cannot find a clutch domed cover so if anyone can help that would be good, thanks.

[Black Sheep]

I use tractor universal 10W 30 in the various chaincases. It's used for tractor engines, hydraulics and oil-immersed brakes. Ideal in fact for primary chaincases and clutches and much better than normal engine oil. And it's cheap.

[morris]

I use tractor universal 10W 30 in the various chaincases. It's used for tractor engines, hydraulics and oil-immersed brakes. Ideal in fact for primary chaincases and clutches and much better than normal engine oil. And it's cheap.

Same here. It is also sold as ISO 32 grade hydraulic oil.

[Greybeard]

I have a 53 Gold Flash with the 6 spring clutch. I cannot find a clutch domed cover so if anyone can help that would be good, thanks.

I think to get the best response you should put this in its own topic in the Wanted & For Sale board. 

[duTch]

I have a 53 Gold Flash with the 6 spring clutch. I cannot find a clutch domed cover so if anyone can help that would be good, thanks.

 I run mine without and works fine- left it off initially so when I needed to do adjustments less to pull of. There's a few discussions re this

[bikerboy]

Muskrat

Is that mod that easy to put a duplex chain on a swinging arm model?

I assume you just use the plunger engine sprocket and cush drive as well then?

[duTch]

Is that mod that easy to put a duplex chain on a swinging arm model?

I assume you just use the plunger engine sprocket and cush drive as well then?

 Also need the basket(obviously),  mainshaft, and adjuster setup... DoD I miss anything?

[Sluggo]

+1 on ATF on the primaries,  I have been using it for 3 decades without problems.  I prefer to use the Type F version, as the mercon type 1&2 have different properties. The type F is much better for this application, Ford specs it, although harder to find these days.

On semi unit trans, it was well known for some time the mainshaft adapts to some other appication but many people take the mainshafts out to use in a Harley flathead with a British trans so they can also run a Norton type clutch and the three row chain. At least thats my fuzzy memory of this, but it used to be common to find the semi unit trans minus mainshafts for this reason.  I did not know they interchange with the swing arm trans but makes sense...

[JulianS]

The plunger mainshaft was marketed by Eddie Dow as suitable for converting gearboxes to accept Norton type clutch. This photo from his 1967 catalogue.