QuestionQUESTION: Hey, Mike!
I have a 1976 FXE Shovelhead that I am customizing. For aesthetic reasons I would like to install the older "tin" primaries. J&P has a "tin" inner primary that is designed for the alternator Shovelhead but my transmission can't be slid front to back to tighten the primary chain. Do I need to get an older (Panhead?) transmission or can I get by milling the two back "ears" off that attach the solid aluminum inner primary cover to the transmission? I intend to do away with the electric starter and possibly go with a jockey-shift. I have always hated the "hump" on the primary cover where the e-starter mounts. Or is there a solid aluminum primary cover that does not have this gross "hump"? Can you foresee any problems that I may encounter by doing this?
Thanks... John
ANSWER: What are you planning on doing about oiliig the primary chain or are you going to run a dry primary?
Mike
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QUESTION: I was considering diverting the adjustable rear chain oiler to the primary chain and letting the drainage go on the rear chain. I am open to any other suggestions you may have.
John
ANSWER: The old style bikes with the tin primary had oil drip on the chain and then to the ground. They had no way to recover the oil. The oil was suppose to drip at one drop per two minutes.
In order the do what you want you will probably have to modify the inner primary tin so you can do your adjustment for the trans. Just remember, not to let to much oil drip or you will have a mess. I wouldn't worry about oiling the rear chain with the motor oil as long as you put some chain lube on the chain on a regulator basis. It will be less messy.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike
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QUESTION: Mike:
I guess I wasn't clear about my question, sorry about that, here goes again. Since the tin primary has no provision for a chain tensioner, and is not sturdy enough if it was, I see no other way to tighten the primary chain except to slide the trans back on the mounting plate, which has elongated holes. The trouble is that the trans is a tight fit between the seat post and swingarm, and does not slide more than about 1/4 inch. Therefore, I was considering milling off the two "ears" at the back of the trans that contact the swing arm when the trans is pulled toward the rear. I believe this would allow the trans to be slid back enough to take up the slack in the primary chain. However, this is a procedure that could not be reversed easily if it were to be useless, and would possibly render the trans less useful if one were to go back to the cast aluminum primary. Do you think this might give me the room to slide the trans back, or should I try to find a trans or case from an older bike that tightened the primary in this manner? What is the possibility of welding a bracket to the frame behind the inner primary tin that might support a chain tensioner placed inside the primary? Then I would not have to grind on the trans. I realize that customizing a bike is most times on an experimental basis, so I value any advice from more experienced people such as yourself. A few minutes of your time could save me from irreversibly ruining a transmission case. Thanks again... John
AnswerI am not sure if I would be cutting on the trans since, like you said, you cant reverse it.
I think I would be more inclined to shorten the primary chain so that you dont have as much slack in it and still fit the trans.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike
