Same old shovelhead primary question
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 41
Likes: 4
From: Chicagoland
Same old shovelhead primary question
I know this question has come up a lot, did some searching, and want some fresh info. i read people for blocking off the oil in the primary, and others saying don't. i even had some guys at the local indy shop try to talk me into evo inner and 5 spd trans and so on. i don't wanna change this bike that much i don't think. speaking of that, is there a trans upgrade without losing the kicker. can you do a 5 spd in the 4 spd case?
anyway, whats the pros and cons of blocking it off. can you simply block the oiler and return? is the crank case ventilation else where?
those that have not blocked it off, what do you do for storage? i drained the oil and left the plug out last winter, but i don't want to have to do that, i'd rather be able to fire it up or ride on a whim. otherwise the oil will all be in the primary on this bike in a month or so of sitting.
thanks for the info.
anyway, whats the pros and cons of blocking it off. can you simply block the oiler and return? is the crank case ventilation else where?
those that have not blocked it off, what do you do for storage? i drained the oil and left the plug out last winter, but i don't want to have to do that, i'd rather be able to fire it up or ride on a whim. otherwise the oil will all be in the primary on this bike in a month or so of sitting.
thanks for the info.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 39
From: NW Florida
To convert it to a wet primary you have to block off the feed, return and vent. You have to have the cover pefectly sealed and run the correct amount of oil in the primary. Personally I have run the stock set up for 35 years with no problems. If you seal the primary and the oil runs low you will cook your chain and wear out the adjuster shoe in just a few miles. I've got a 100,000 miles out of a chain with stock oil return system. If you keep on top of it the sealed primary offers the advantage of no crud from the primary circulating through your motor. The choice is yours. Just remember the day you don't check the oil level will be the day it is low.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: central ill
i dont know of any cons to doing this but it will keep all the crap going into your motor.here is a link with instructions and pictures
http://shovelhead.us/specs/oil/oil.htm
http://shovelhead.us/specs/oil/oil.htm
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 942
Likes: 323
From: Grew up in Texas, moved to AZ
Seal your primary on older shovelheads. Some never have troubles, but do you want metal flakes coming back into your engine from the primary. If you go to the Shovelhead.us site, you will have amble information to why you must do this. Your call.
dave
dave
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Chicagoland
thanks for that link
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: California
Blocked off and have issues.
I know this question has come up a lot, did some searching, and want some fresh info. i read people for blocking off the oil in the primary, and others saying don't. i even had some guys at the local indy shop try to talk me into evo inner and 5 spd trans and so on. i don't wanna change this bike that much i don't think. speaking of that, is there a trans upgrade without losing the kicker. can you do a 5 spd in the 4 spd case?
anyway, whats the pros and cons of blocking it off. can you simply block the oiler and return? is the crank case ventilation else where?
those that have not blocked it off, what do you do for storage? i drained the oil and left the plug out last winter, but i don't want to have to do that, i'd rather be able to fire it up or ride on a whim. otherwise the oil will all be in the primary on this bike in a month or so of sitting.
thanks for the info.
anyway, whats the pros and cons of blocking it off. can you simply block the oiler and return? is the crank case ventilation else where?
those that have not blocked it off, what do you do for storage? i drained the oil and left the plug out last winter, but i don't want to have to do that, i'd rather be able to fire it up or ride on a whim. otherwise the oil will all be in the primary on this bike in a month or so of sitting.
thanks for the info.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 979
Likes: 38
From: new orleans,la
ya ever consider a belt drive? it may not be in your funds right now but it ends all that oil issues and the big heavy chain --
BDL 47-31 SE-4 -- your gonna need a vented outer primary cover --
BDL 47-31 SE-4 -- your gonna need a vented outer primary cover --