I recently purchased a 74 Ironhead. When I brought it home I drained and replaced the gas and engine oil and checked the primary oil (bike had only been ridden twice in the last two years according to seller). About a quart and a half drained out of the primary level plug. When I bought the bike, the guy selling it fired it up and ran it for a while, but I didn't ride it. Bike sounded great. When I started it up after replacing the fluids and getting the primary to the correct (at least I think) level, there is now a "clank" coming from the primary. I don't know how to describe the noise, but it sounds like metal on metal. I know that sounds bad, but it doesn't sound terrible. So my questions are A) did I not hear that sound before because the primary was overfilled? B) any idea what the noise is? and C) what damage can be caused by over filling the primary? This is my first time to this forum and any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Do you have a Factory service manual and Parts manual? You'll need it.

A) Did I not hear that sound before because the primary was overfilled?B) any idea what the noise is?C) what damage can be caused by over filling the primary? IH owners have a bit of gallows humor about the work we have to put into keeping a old IH on the road. So I would say you purchased the bike with your heart and you'll pay for it with you soul. :-) Welcome to the club.

Order the Service and Parts manual, remove the primary cover, post some photos if you can and you'll get plenty of help.

Here is a link to a service manual.

I couldn't find a Parts manual give ebay a try.

Good luck,

Pat

 

Correct level in the primary: install approximately 1,1/2 pints - or until it starts to run out the overflow hole with the bike level; then wait until it stops running out.

What i do is stack two short pieces of 2X6 under the jiffy stand; that puts my bike very close to level, so to be safe i attach a tie down strap between the bike and an eye hook on the side of the shop.

I would like more description of the clank. Does it occur just once, or does it continue to occur as the engine runs? Can you listen closely on both sides and determine more exactly where it originates? A mechanics stethoscope might help [inexpensive, Princess Auto or Harbor Freight], or the screwdriver or rubber hose equivalent.

 

Cheap *** Harbor Freight wheel chock will put the bike level and keep it steady. There is a relief valve from the crank to the primary that will seep oil into the primary. That is one reason to run the same oil in both holes. Mine will do this if I let it sit for more than it wants me to.

 

This is likely reason over filling... this isn't any serious fault, more alike feature if you aren't riding very often with bike . That breathervalve can be blocked ( you need to open primarycase) and after that it's good idea to add ventilation hose to transmission or primary.