1931 Harley VL oiling questions

[wsowa]

Hello. I have a 31 Harley that I think is over oiling the chain. I have placed a bead of solder in the small oiler tube, so the only oil for the chain is probably only coming from the breather pocket tube. Is it really needed to oil the chain? I understand that it probably does serve a function as a crank case breather. But can I do anything to allow the crankcase to breathe and not have a chain sling oil everywhere? Thank you!

[Peter Cooke]

The tubes primary function is as a crank case breather. H-D located the output on the primary chain for the obvious reason that chains need oil. Have you got your pump set up properly? You may be over oiling the engine and therefore the chain.

[Steve Slocombe]

The VLs werte designed for dirt roads, and the 1930 chain oiler was considered a useful feature. Today you can block off the pigtail copper oiler tube with a small ball bearing or solder as you have done. This still leaves the breather tube blowing oil mist into the primary cover and so on to the rear chain. As Peter says, check your oil in the crankcases is in the range say 150-200 ml or 4-6 ounces. More than that and oil blows out of the breather, the valve covers or the generator. Some racers have fitted small cans inside the primary cover so oil does not drip on the track, and I guess you could re-route the breather to an outside oil catcher if you wish.