You can get tubs of tallow from decent plumbers merchants. For use in lead work its still unbeatable.
If you use silicone, oil the detachable side of the case before you fit it, should then come off OK.
Thank you Ian, as one of the "Old Boys" I was advocating the use of tallow years ago on the Matchless forum and got endlessly ridiculed for it [just one of the reasons I quit].
An equally good substitute if you can get enough is that bullet proof grease used on WD spares; the joy of using grease of any kind is that if heavy enough, viz tallow, should you need to part the cases in the field then by warming it up the grease will melt and reseal.
In order to seal it all,
You would need a paper gasket between the block and the inner primary chaincase, (I used "Shellac" there)
Then a big round felt washer, 2 washer gaskets on the screws of the sliding plate (Made of Klingerit or something like that)
When I installed the outer cork gasket, I was also going "Old School" and sealed it with Shellac Compound.
(Permatex Indian Head Gasket Shellac Compound or something close)
And I run the primary wet without a drop of oil drip.
Of course, the faces of the primary case inner part and its cover should be in a reasonable straight condition...
Noam, Ken, Cas
Yes, there's the back of the inner casing to be considered but this was all done ?properly? when the bike was assembled & seems OK. Though I may treat myself to some new gaskets around the footrest.
I'll try the silicone & grease.
Hans & Michael
Does greasing the outer cover before putting silicone on the gasket allow the cases to be separated fairly easily?
Yes, they separate easily Bob! I only watch the order of assembly, doing the bolts from down upwards, and for disassembly I start from the top downwards.
I use synthetic grease and have no leaks. No silicone is needed. Make sure the cover is flat, use a new gasket and don't over tighten the screws. Petroleum based grease works but does not last as long as the oil will dissolve it over time.
Hans & Bruce
Thanks again. I've forged ahead & used silicone on the outer cover & grease only on the inner. On my bike the gasket always comes away with the outer piece on dismantling so I've made that the semi permanent joint. If it's still a leaker I should be able to work out which joint is failing. The silicone needs 24 hours to cure so I haven't filled the case yet.
