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[ric]

Unfortunately it doesn’t even take 100 miles to damage the rings so they’ll no longer seal properly and end up with excess crankcase pressure resulting in excess oil loss via the breather if the bore has been petrol washed.
Perhaps something’s amiss without in the jet assembly in the carb to have caused this.

Have you still got the old rings? If this is the reason behind your problem the damage on the rings will be quite evident, they’ll have a sharp burr all the way around their circumference. The amount of extra fuel involved to cause damage is not always sufficient to realise the bike has a problem.

[jackdog]

I am having just this problem with my 1950 J2. It was alright one day and the next day it started blowing oil out of the breather behind the primary chain case. Oil level doesn't seem too high, apart from which once started and run for a couple of minutes you would expect the oil to stop being blown out. Anyway I have now stripped the chain case off to get at the back end and found the clutch plates and shock rubbers ready for replacement. So I'll be checking out the things suggested in your post replies. Like you the performance of the bike didn't lack power so as yet the reason for the leak, at the moment, is a mystery, unless someone can suggest what it can be. I'll post any thing I can find.

[kister]

I had this a few years ago. It sounds like it is not the same problem as I had as you have already checked this. But for the benefit of anyone else searching this topic; I thought I was running the correct oil level when looking at my sight glass oil level, but when I turned the engine over a couple of times with the kick start, the oil level went up over the full line.. consequently the engine was a bit constipated and vented. I now do a combination dance of oil top up and kick over.
Chris

Electra efi trials v5 2011 21k

[Adrian]

The Electra-X is a pre-UCE/EFI engine which has more in common with the classic models. There is no oil level sight glass...







...unless you fit one, which needs a very well vented oil tank.



A.

[sofiaspin]

Happened to my 08. Emulsified oil blocking breather pipe at the exit leading to oil spray onto the rear frame. A clearout of the pipe sorted it.

[stinkwheel]

When I look at that picture of Adrians, I'm reminded just how close to the top of the oil tank the upper timing chest return hole is on these engines. In fact, it's about an inch and a half from the breather stub.



Just thinking out loud here. If oil was returning through the top hole, either because the bottom one was blocked or the scavenge pump was pumping more than could be returned through the bottom hole (or if it was covered over due to an excessively high oil level), a good blast of gas could easily drive the returning (hot and runny) oil straight out through the breather. I know the electra pumps are different to the classic engine ones, perhaps more efficient? I also know the return holes aren't any different.



Anyway, here's a picture of those holes from the inside, also showing the position of the breather stub (this is a 2003 classic engine).







For interest sake, here's a picture of the "breather hole" that the crankcase breathes into the oil tank through. Has a distinct look of being done at the end of the production line by a hand-drill Wallah.

[steveW]

Hi Matthumper, Ive just looked back to my post (5.18ish)on this same problem (2007 Electra, 24,000 miles) to confirm that Adrian kindly responded that for the electra the oil capacity was too great. Amongst other things I am now running with oil just to the tip of the dipstick and havent had any blow off since. I also moved the catch can to sit off the rear tank bolt for 3 main reasons...1 for easier access, 2 for shorter pipe run and finally in the hope that being in the zone of engine heat the mayonaise wont form. Not sure which one of these is the winner but very happy with it now!Obviously I gave the can a really good clean, so I can monitor things.
PS l did try running a long loopy pipe from the tank breather straight into the timing chest, with the result that the pressure forced oil past the timing chest gasket and out everywhere! Interstingly I have fitted transparent pipes but have never seen oil in them, even when it was playing Tory canyon!
,

[NEV]

I have a 2004 Sixty-5 with the exact same arrangement, bin the catch tank, block up the timing case pipe fitting, run a big pipe up out of the oil tank top pipe fitting & run it along the rear of the gearbox casing(to keep it hot) with a one-way flap valve on it. You will even be able to increase the oil level again. Hope it works for you as well as it has for me.

[Adrian]

Nev,



I tried a similar arrangement on my Electra-X, it worked as long as I didn't over-fill the tank or ride the bike with any enthusiasm. (







The trouble was that as I enjoy enthusiastic riding, the usual result was that the back of the bike ended up splattered with oil. Replacing the short duck bill with a non-return valve and a longer length of hose along to the back of the rear chainguard seemed to be the most successful move.



A.

[NEV]

Hi Adrian, I used a clear straight pipe that goes up vertically 3 inches before it bends so most of the oil will run back down.