Oil Lines and Primary oiling

[50Panhead]

I'm restoring a 1979 FXEF and the oil lines are a plumbers nightmare.
I'd like to isolate the primary case lubrication from the motor.
My Plan is to cap off the front chain oilier, the return line from the primary, and the rear chain oilier. The primary vent line that goes to the oil tank I was going to vent it to atmosphere. or should I just cap it off? I would just them add some oil to the primary like in newer bikes, but say 8 to 10 oz. or so.
I guess I'm just looking for that old Fatherly advice and reassurance. But atlas my dad past 22 years ago. Thanks. Herman

[joe fxs fxr]

You need to keep one of those open as a vent. Otherwise you are good. Fill to the bottom of the clutch hub so the chain gets oiled but not the clutch. Keep an eye on level. Non-hardening sealer on the derby cover will make it easier.

[duffeycycles]

You can install an inline screen filter in the return line,primary to engine .
VTwin 40-0388 or 40-0387
If you remove the lines,use a breather hose looped up & back down.
4-6 ounces is normally in a shovel primary because of dry clutch,no more unless you change to a wet clutch

[T. Cotten]

Well 50Panhead,...

You definitely are not "restoring" it.

Over the decades, my shop re-plumbed several for customers who thought de-plumbing was a 'better idea'.

They never knew where the oil went.

....Cotten

[50Panhead]

Well 50Panhead,...

You definitely are not "restoring" it.

Over the decades, my shop re-plumbed several for customers who thought de-plumbing was a 'better idea'.

They never knew where the oil went.

....Cotten

Hi Tom.. Well Restoring point of view, getting it road worthy may be more the correct wording. The bike has been stored for over 15 years. Oil lines are rotten and leaking everywhere. There are so many brass plumbing fittings surely those were not original. I want to clean it up and make it look neater.

[joe fxs fxr]

Yikes!

Yes you should get that cleaned up!

If you don't have a factory parts manual, message me your email and I'll send you the pdf that I have so you'll know what's original. It also makes it a lot easier to find parts, as you probably know.

[T. Cotten]

Certainly clean it up, 50!

I'm not a purist (although every bit as opinionated), but returning to factory design is often the path with least grief.

Particularly in the long run.

.....Cotten
PS: Your pic made me nostalgic. So I can't be a purist.

[Rubone]

The vent line to the oil tank is mandatory. unless you don't mind blowing up your engine every few miles. It equalizes the oil tank and crankcase and allows the gravity feed system to work. But then what did the engineers know, just go for it...

[50Panhead]

The vent line to the oil tank is mandatory. unless you don't mind blowing up your engine every few miles. It equalizes the oil tank and crankcase and allows the gravity feed system to work. But then what did the engineers know, just go for it...

Hope you did not learn that the hard way.