Dynamo/Alternator

Len Matthews

Len Matthews

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There is a risk in making the joint between dynamo/alternator and crankcase oiltight because the pri. chaincase can't breath, bearing in mind that there's usually some blow past the driveside mains. A while ago Hugo Myatt wrote in MPH stating that his twin gearbox was getting pressurised and mentioned he'd recently sealed the dynamo with RTV. He adopted a rather amusing method of detecting this pressure build-up!
 
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andygbsmith

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Just use a small amount of silicone on the face of the Alton and that sort's any problems.
I don't agree with the coment's about oil leaks.
If you build them properly they are oil tight with the exception of a small amount from the breather.
 
Monkeypants

Monkeypants

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andygbsmith said:
Just use a small amount of silicone on the face of the Alton and that sort's any problems.
I don't agree with the coment's about oil leaks.
If you build them properly they are oil tight with the exception of a small amount from the breather.
Click to expand...

In my comment on oil leaks I stated that it is possible to build a dry Vincent today, but they are a rare item. A walk past the 192 Vins that went around the Isle of Man course last month amazed me as to how bad the leakage problems are. Nearly every bike showed oil leakage, quite a number with what I would call quite severe leakage. For me, severe leakage is when oil has found it's way onto the rear tire, as this is a pretty dangerous situation. I saw a number of Vincents with oily rear tires.

So I'm not sure if it is my comment or someone else's you don't agree with as we seem to have both said the same thing, that a dry Vincent can be built today.

The reality however is that most are far from dry , nor were they oil tight when they left the factory according to information from Vincent factory workers of the day.

Which, if any, of these comments do you disagree with?
 
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VinParts

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Dribbling Vincents.

A walk past the 192 Vins that went around the Isle of Man course last month amazed me as to how bad the leakage problems are. Nearly every bike showed oil leakage, quite a number with what I would call quite severe leakage. 'Quote'

Could this be because they had just had the pants thrashed off them?
Bikes with VERY bad oil leaks were not let out onto the track.

Russ
 
Monkeypants

Monkeypants

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I'm sure the high speed run contributed, but this is something that you should be able to do without having oil end up all over the place.

My point is being taken the wrong way, It was not intended as criticism of the brand, I think they are fabulous bikes.
My point is that there are a lot of clever fixes for the common oil leaks on the Vincent, and that a lot of Vincents are in need of these fixes. I happen to own one that needs help in a big way!
I also own one that is nearly oil tight, and I took it around the IOM course.
I touched 110 MPH twice on the course and generally ran the hell out of it, but it showed no sign of oil leakage afterward.
And yes, it did have oil in the tank!
 
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andygbsmith

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Hi Worntorn, My coment wasn't aimed at you but more of a general coment.
I think that the way you ride the bike should't change anything, I normaly cruise at 80mph and on the IOM I spent the week thrashing the bike everywhere. Still no oil leak.
I think one of the the biggest problems is engine breathers you have to have a one way valve in line and the aim is to try to keep a slight vac in the cases.
I have built lots of big Harley engines (over 2 litre) and its the only way to keep the oil in.
Andy
 
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pifinch

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I thought everyone was ignoring my question, thankfully I was wrong! My main problem was, Alton butted to chaincase, Alton sprocket adaptor, oil thrower and co. the sprocket wants to kiss the chain sideplates-not good, it never did with uncle Joes, However, the thick silicone bead either side of a nylon shim sounds good, I will give it a go! ( old age/paranoia, I bought the Alton on special delivery 4 weeks ago because I needed to go on some runs, delivered next day! needless to say it is still not permanently mounted & I have not yet converted from+ Earth to - Earth!) Tomorrow! then Copdock Len.
 
john998

john998

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Dynamo

Hello.
To say that the Vincent is bad for leaking oil is a little OTT.
Compared to other British bikes of the era it is probably the best in that respect.
On both my Rapide's there is no , or very little oil leakage around the dynamo, with no silicone or cork gaskets. The standard oil thrower works fine.
As for the rest of the engine use gaskets only on the cylinder base, all other joints are Loctite plastic gasket, or silicone used with great care.
The only small drip is from the gear change cover after each run.
I have done all the mods to the shafts in there but it has so far defeated me. John S.
 
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Rapide998

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Only blood loss from my Animal is from the chain oiler pipe when I stop, or from the valve lifter cable entry point on the timing side if I've let her off the leash for a bit :D
As for the all over Satin Black Honey Badger.....she's muzzled at the moment while Master bring her back to life :cool:
 
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