Hitchcocks Forum

hi Im new to your forum hope you can help.
I have rebuilt a 67 Crusader engine and started it the other day ,it started after a while and i let it run for a half a hour and then stopped it and restarted it again no problems.
I took it out yesterday and tried to start it again i managed 1 kick then it felt like it had too much compression ,when you pull the clutch in no problem kicking and the same when I removed the plug.
I noticed through the inspection hole on the chaincase that the clutch cage wasn't turning with the spark plug in .We then removed the chaincase and drained about a cup of oil and tried kicking the bike with the plug in and ignition off and after a bit it started to turn over no problem.
Should there be oil in the chaincase if yes how much and how is this controlled ,should the clutch be wet how wet, we think the seals in the oil ways on the inside of the chaincase from the hole in the bottom of the oil filter housing and the one in the end of the crankshaft are bad, could this be allowing oil into the chaincase .
Look forward to your advice.

https://accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycl ... 3&_xt=.pdf

I don't know the answer, but maybe this will help until somebody with actual knowledge comes on. It's from this Hitchcocks website, . I THINK your model is there. If my link doesn't work, you can just look under Information- Workshop manuals
Good luck, Chris

Hi, oil in chaincase is shared with engine and is thrown up by chain and via a hole at top rear of clutch back into oiltank. If clutch is slipping check that the clutch pushrod is adjusted for play. Vince

Thanks for the info so far
I forgot to say it’s a GT continental and it doesn’t have an oil tank

Hi, just to clarify the oil tank is part of the crankcase these are dry sump engines. Vince

Hi Engine oil is fitted from just behind the cylinder and gearbox oil filled behind that again through a breather hole we have no oil tank it’s all within the engine casting

Could the running it for half an hour be part of the cause?....

Hi, even the owners manual refers to oil tank. We are not talking about a tank on the frame, the oil tank is an integral part of the engine , it is separate from the sump and is a totally separate compartment/container/chamber/oiltank. Vince

Hi, having reread your original message I'm wondering if the engine has starved of oil as the two seals described are critical to the big end feed. Vince

Thanks for your replies
Yes the oil is in a tank within the engine and gets pumped around
The two seals need to be replaced and I will order them on Monday
When I change the seals and put it all back together what controls the level of oil in the chain case