I agree use oil and let it drip out , TOP TIP carry a piece of folded tin foil and fold up edges to make a tray and put under bike when parked on that nice new drive then put it in the recycle bin and ride off
email (option): Warbikesat gee male dit comm, think about this
I'm trying an o-ring chain running dry but lubricating it regularly (weekly). If the chain needs an oil bath for cooling, this might not be a good idea. Any thoughts?
My cuz always uses rear chain lub on the primary and his Ariel has done many, many flogged miles over the last 5 years without problem (damn near everything else has failed mind you - as i say HARD miles).
My own Norton ES2 (and the '27 Brough i had) should not even HAVE A CHAIN CASE (just a primary cover), as it is the '34 c/case fitted leaks like a sieve and rarely has any oil in it after a few dozen miles !
However i do persist as i believe so oil does get to the Clutch rollers for lub (?) - something i've never checked in 5-10 years of riding her!
There are some semi-fluid greases available - usually used for 4X4/truck steering box's, etc.
These are thixotropic so when 'churned' turn to liquid and when left alone turn to a grease - i have used them in gear-box's over the years, but must admit i now use oil and accept the leak!
As for cooling - not sure about this as a chain should not absorb much power/heat and as the M20/21 produces sod all .......
My racing triumph outfit (~70bhp at rear wheel) really did heat up a single primary chain - within 5 laps it looked like it had been thrown in a fire with split and welded roller's - IF the constant loss chain lub failed (or the scrutineer had made me remove it .....)
On my Matchless's I always put the chaincase band on with clear silicon sealer and it does not drip. Also on a Matchless you have a Cush drive on the end of the crankshaft which will wear rapidly if you do not put oil in the chaincase. I will admit, not on of Matchless better designs. John
