Oil Change questions

[PaulCDF]

"When I get on something with 2 wheels I go through a Jekyll, and Hyde thing "

I think I know how you feel. all the distracted drivers I ALWAYS assume the worst
I wear a Hit Air-Bag jacket.

Wall Squats are a great leg exercise

[ChiefTwoKicks]

I had my right knee replaced about 15yrs ago, after 4 previous surgeries. The surgery was the old fashion way, like boning a turkey leg. Doctors are now using a new type of surgery where the patient is back on your feet in days, instead of weeks or months. Here's what I do to start my Indians... I use my left leg, facing the right side of the bike, with my right hand on the bars, left hand on the edge of the seat. Left foot on the kick pedal, with the toe pointing toward the rear of the bike. I feel like I have more control. Trying to start the bike with my left foot facing forward seems awkward to me, and if something should go wrong, (God forbid), I wouldn't have a good handle on the bike.

Also, when the bike does start, (on "two kicks", of course !) I keep my left foot on the starter arm, and raise it slowly. That way the kicker arm doesn't com flying up and hit my shin unexpectedly.
And if the bike lights up when the piston is at the top of the stroke, it won't bite me, either. We've all had that happen, and it isn't good. My right leg is just fine, but using my left foot assures better control and alot less chance of risking pain or injury.

Of course, there's a small learning curve, so my method is a bit awkward at first... a little practice and you're good to go. C2K

[exeric]

My right leg is fine and up to the task of starting. My due diligence is based on years of motorcycle, and bicycle riding which will always include panic stops, and using your legs as outriggers when things get squirrely. Getting my leg muscles stronger will build more stability and more (false) confidence. When I get on something with 2 wheels I go through a Jekyll, and Hyde thing where I get this thrill, and rush of me, machine, and ME and that is probably not all that safe, but it is wonderful. I believe everyone here experiences the same thing which is why we are here. . . Still alive. . . and wanting to ride motorcycles until a wife, children, or the law makes us stop.

[PaulCDF]

"'m still going to give my knee a few more months of healing before assaulting a kicker"

Glad your knee is on the mend Erix. Don't know what you are kicking to life but maybe try: Instead of "kicking" it over use your weight to advantage and "push" it over. Coming down with your weight more in line with your leg straighter rather than bent kneed. Of course my ultimate backup plan if I can no longer kick over my Chief is to finish my 741 (A 12 year old girl could hand start that thing).

[exeric]

My knee surgeon's name is Dr. Dingle (really) and in a city with a median age of (what seems like)104, Sarasota has an impressive population of very good, and wealthy surgeons. As Dr. Dingle said, the knee is as structurally good as ever and I feel that; however, the success is largely based on getting the muscles in both legs, and back in good shape by doing the therapy. Easy to backslide and get lazy. Most people are so glad to be mobile again that they do the hard work and grunt through the pain. I'm still going to give my knee a few more months of healing before assaulting a kicker, Jason

[Skirted]

I had my left knee replaced at the beginning of May this year. First 2 weeks; gruesome. Today (4-1/2 months later) I've been mowing the lawn, replaced soffit, and facia on the house, painted the back of the house, and generally making a nuisance of myself. If your knee is slowing you down; get it done, and do the P.T. You'll be glad you did.

While we are on the rabbit trail knee subject .....Wonderful to hear all is good Eric with the knee and it wasn't your kicker knee. I am blessed with good knees but always wondered can (or should) someone with a knee replacement kick start old bikes? Or does the knee replacement come with an optional electric start kit?

[Jim]

I had my left knee replaced at the beginning of May this year. First 2 weeks; gruesome. Today (4-1/2 months later) I've been mowing the lawn, replaced soffit, and facia on the house, painted the back of the house, and generally making a nuisance of myself. If your knee is slowing you down; get it done, and do the P.T. You'll be glad you did.

Thanks, but that wasn't my problem. BUT... when/if the time comes for me, I'll remember what you said!

[exeric]

So, about that Knee replacement...

I had my left knee replaced at the beginning of May this year. First 2 weeks; gruesome. Today (4-1/2 months later) I've been mowing the lawn, replaced soffit, and facia on the house, painted the back of the house, and generally making a nuisance of myself. If your knee is slowing you down; get it done, and do the P.T. You'll be glad you did.

[PaulCDF]

Yes if one does a basic search there is GOLD in the forums.

[rlm99x]

Good info here

[Skirted]

You're good for another 70 years Harry! Ride on!
I quit removing that level-check plug and pour 16oz in.
Peace

[Jim]

Knee and Hip replacements are probably less "stressful" than a broken oil drain plug on a '46 Chief! at least for me the cracked threads would be very stressful. As we've all read online and/or packages that JB Weld can be threaded and since there is no pressure on that drain plug... I'm not sure what I'm saying, but... just wanted to say maybe add a bit more JB Weld at that area so you would get more thread coverage?? I'm sure there are plenty of guys that could weld that up with no problems too. So, about that Knee replacement...

[pisten-bully]

...kind of an old thread here, but sort of related to my latest broken part!

After changing the gearbox and primary oil in my Chief (with shared oil between the two), I was reinstalling the oil level plug on the primary cover and a piece of the cover fell to the floor! The threaded hole for level plug is now missing a chunk on the outside. I've JB welded it for a temporary fix, but if that fails then I'll likely have a fast leak because the plug only engages a few threads. Luckily outer primary covers are sold by Greer's.
IMG_0222.jpeg

You can see what looks like a casting flaw running away from the hole, and I've always had oil seepage below the clutch worm that I have blamed on oil escaping from the worm hole. Now....I'm not so sure it wasn't the small crack from the casting flaw!

I guess people replace knees and hips at 70+ years old, so I'm not too troubled by this latest part failure on my 1946 motorcycle

[Jim]

I found a nice image in the printed "Repair and Overhaul" manual (for some reason it isn't in the Downloaded version) that shows the positions of the filler plug, chain inspection plug, oil level plug and drain plug on the primary case. Seeing this image, NOW it's all starting to make sense to me!
Primary Case points.jpg

[Jim]

Jim, the Indian oil system is gravity fed into the oil pump from there the plunger that is run off the rear cam pushes the oil into the crankpin.
From there the oil is flung all over the engine eventually ending up in the sump where the oil pump scavenge gears push the oil back up to the tank.
If the system is working as intended and there is oil in the tank there is nothing else you need to do. When you change and drop the oil from the tank there is always oil in the lines and the pump.
If you want to get rid of that oil after an oil change, put a length of clear tubing over the oil return line in the tank and start the engine.
The oil being returned from the sump will be black to start with and will run clear after a couple of minutes.
Remove the tubing and top up the tank needed.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]30168[/ATTACH]

Start and ride your bike.

Primary and Transmission are separate from the engine oil and circulation. They have a shared oil that is measured through the drain plug and the inspection plug just under the clutch worm.
Primary and transmission oil is only 400ml to 600mls capacity. or 13-20 ounces of oil, filled through the top of the primary until it runs out the fluid checking

Thanks ozybloke! The picture helps understand how it works. NOW I remember I saw that pic in the riders book as well. I will sit down and read through more of it today. INCLUDING the transmission section! HAHA!!