In the process of rebuilding a 71 shovel and my previous owner/mentor has rerouted the oil lines so many times he seems a little confused on where each line should go. The front chain oil fitting has been removed and blocked as well as the breather port. The only thing that isn't blocked is the return to the crankcase which I'm told at this point can be blocked as well. All that needs to be done after that is to vent the primary and supply the bath.
Is this right? One shop tells me you don't really want to send the primary oil back through the motor. Which if you take into account any fibers from the clutch plates makes sense. My mentor says the primary isn't "dry" so the return is needed. Where is the oil coming from if not from the pump port for the front chain?

 

Yes, that`s right.

Once the primary is isolated, you can just pour oil into the primary, just enough so that it touches the outer shell of the clutch (bike standing upright), not too much.

Some guys leave a hose on the chain oiler fitting on the primary and route it so that no water gets in, leave the end open for a vent, but I don`t think this is needed, as the primary will vent into the transmission via the hollow mainshaft.

 

Thanks Dan. Any suggestions on how often to change the bath?

 

Isolated primary should look like this...

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...ps2c3b36de.jpg


and this...

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...ps525d3f3f.jpg