'76 Shovel vent question
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 326
Likes: 2
From: York, PA
'76 Shovel vent question
I need some help guys. I just picked up a '76 Shovel, I think it's just an FL. I did a full tune up, put new brake pads, a chain and sproket, and a crank case breather vent filter on it and I had the dealer also do a once over on the internals to make sure everything was good to go. The primary was pretty much dry, so I had the dealer put a new clutch basket, plates, and chain tensioner in her. I also had the dealer adjust the S+S shorty since I couldn't get it dialed in right. She runs good now.
I am still having an issue with the bike blowing oil out of the crank case breather tube. It seems like it only happens when it sits for a few days and then I start it. I thought that putting a filter on the tube would help, but the oil soaks right through the filter. And it seems like a lot of oil when it happens.
This is my first classic bike so I don't know to much about them other than it is cool as hell. All my other bikes are FI and never gave me any problems besides the typical battery or brakes. I am being told by a few of the older guys I ride with that there is some sort of "ball valve" that gets stuck open or maybe closed. I'm trying to avoid the dealer because of their rates, but I would really like to get this issue addressed. Any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated. I'm also going to be listing some parts for sale off of it if anyone would be interested (handle bars, clutch cable, rear wheel cover, etc.).
I am still having an issue with the bike blowing oil out of the crank case breather tube. It seems like it only happens when it sits for a few days and then I start it. I thought that putting a filter on the tube would help, but the oil soaks right through the filter. And it seems like a lot of oil when it happens.
This is my first classic bike so I don't know to much about them other than it is cool as hell. All my other bikes are FI and never gave me any problems besides the typical battery or brakes. I am being told by a few of the older guys I ride with that there is some sort of "ball valve" that gets stuck open or maybe closed. I'm trying to avoid the dealer because of their rates, but I would really like to get this issue addressed. Any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated. I'm also going to be listing some parts for sale off of it if anyone would be interested (handle bars, clutch cable, rear wheel cover, etc.).
Last edited by acd118; Dec 18, 2012 at 04:12 PM. Reason: Tags
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 20
From: Eagle River WI
oil out of breather
We call that the nature of the beast Yes you can replace the ball bearing (oil pump)and try to re seat the ball bearing (might work ) but this will always be an on going drama Not so much if you ride the bike everyday I have several bikes (knucklehead/pan shovel ) I can't ride all the time (back problems bad wrists being old )So on the oil feed out of the tank to the pump I run 3/8 rubber hose so I can put a vise grip to close off this hose when not running thus no oil out of the breather ! Just paint the vise grip brite orange so you remember to remove it before the ride
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 4,780
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
Is NOT normal if the Ball valve is sealing properly. The OP is not referring to drips, he is referring to blowing oil out after sitting for a time and then starting. The oil is leaking past the check ball and sitting in the crankcase. When the bike is started it blows oil untill the scavenger side of the pump emties the crankcase.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,210
From: Oxford, Nc
Is NOT normal if the Ball valve is sealing properly. The OP is not referring to drips, he is referring to blowing oil out after sitting for a time and then starting. The oil is leaking past the check ball and sitting in the crankcase. When the bike is started it blows oil untill the scavenger side of the pump emties the crankcase.
Hey, wait a minute: There's a Dealer out there that can work on a Shovel?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,706
Likes: 22,726
From: Farmington ,MS
Both statements are kinda right...it depends on how long the bike has been sitting. 2 days...shouldn't blow a drop...2 weeks...maybe...maybe not...2 months...put a pan under it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,547
Likes: 57,090
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
It is ( to an extent ) the nature of the beast ... As others have stated the problem is attributable to the check valve not seating properly and/or contaminates in the oil that don't allow the check ball to seat properly. You can ( and I have ) get a new ( actually buy 2 ) check ***** and the spring then try this ... remove the screw, spring and check ball ... Take one of the new check ***** and drop it in then, using a drift pin and a small hammer, give the check ball a "love tap" ... be gentle ( it's probably her first time ) ... this will help in "reshaping" the seat so the check ball sits properly ... then remove and discard the check ball you used ... put the other new check ball in along with the spring and you just might be surprised at your success ... I've seen this work on more than one occasion .... Good Luck Brother ... and ... "Keep The Old Shovels Diggin' "
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Is NOT normal if the Ball valve is sealing properly. The OP is not referring to drips, he is referring to blowing oil out after sitting for a time and then starting. The oil is leaking past the check ball and sitting in the crankcase. When the bike is started it blows oil untill the scavenger side of the pump emties the crankcase.
Last edited by AlCherry; Dec 18, 2012 at 08:21 PM.
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,137
Likes: 51,478
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
I need some help guys. I just picked up a '76 Shovel, I think it's just an FL. I did a full tune up, put new brake pads, a chain and sproket, and a crank case breather vent filter on it and I had the dealer also do a once over on the internals to make sure everything was good to go. The primary was pretty much dry, so I had the dealer put a new clutch basket, plates, and chain tensioner in her. I also had the dealer adjust the S+S shorty since I couldn't get it dialed in right. She runs good now.
I am still having an issue with the bike blowing oil out of the crank case breather tube. It seems like it only happens when it sits for a few days and then I start it. I thought that putting a filter on the tube would help, but the oil soaks right through the filter. And it seems like a lot of oil when it happens.
This is my first classic bike so I don't know to much about them other than it is cool as hell. All my other bikes are FI and never gave me any problems besides the typical battery or brakes. I am being told by a few of the older guys I ride with that there is some sort of "ball valve" that gets stuck open or maybe closed. I'm trying to avoid the dealer because of their rates, but I would really like to get this issue addressed. Any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated. I'm also going to be listing some parts for sale off of it if anyone would be interested (handle bars, clutch cable, rear wheel cover, etc.).
I am still having an issue with the bike blowing oil out of the crank case breather tube. It seems like it only happens when it sits for a few days and then I start it. I thought that putting a filter on the tube would help, but the oil soaks right through the filter. And it seems like a lot of oil when it happens.
This is my first classic bike so I don't know to much about them other than it is cool as hell. All my other bikes are FI and never gave me any problems besides the typical battery or brakes. I am being told by a few of the older guys I ride with that there is some sort of "ball valve" that gets stuck open or maybe closed. I'm trying to avoid the dealer because of their rates, but I would really like to get this issue addressed. Any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated. I'm also going to be listing some parts for sale off of it if anyone would be interested (handle bars, clutch cable, rear wheel cover, etc.).
Here's the general fix for the problem , follow the instructions I posted https://www.hdforums.com/forum/tech-...ll-repair.html and get a new spring from the dealer causer the old ones do loose tension and you should be good to go , might puff a little by if she sits weeks on end . This doesn't seal it the oil pump body is shot and it's new parts time . New pump would be my suggestion and don't get the chrome ones the cheaper ones never seal right & seep with lapping all the mating surfaces in flat .
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 4,780
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
The only problem I have is people sounding like a DEALER and claiming its NORMAL when it is not. If things are working as they should the crankcase will not fill with oil. People ACCEPTING it as normal is what gives Shovels a bad rap.