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Late 84 flht chain bath

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by 59 hog, Feb 11, 2009.

  1. 59 hog

    59 hog New Member

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    anyone out there know much about putting this setup back on . any information would be greatly appreciated
  2. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    if you could elaborate on what it is exactly you want to do, i am sure we can get you through it!!!!!!!:)
  3. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    Yep have to know more of the problum before helping , If it's all there just clean it out
  4. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    maybe he is removing a belt and wanting to go back to chain?????
  5. ironhorse

    ironhorse Active Member

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    if'n ya can through a pic or two to discribe your situation throw them in also every little bit will help, the information is here just need to know what info to dish out to ya
  6. 59 hog

    59 hog New Member

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    It's not so much a problem, but more a question as to should I put it on or leave it off? I have been told by some to leave it off, they leak. others have said to put it back on. Everything is there, How do you check for chain tension? How do you get the chain on the rear sprocket with that housing already on the wheel? My chain is already through the primary, I have not put the rubber sleeves on the primary yet. Hope this explains my situation a little better. Thanks to all
  7. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    i am assuming you have a belt drive in the primary and it is open???
    you want to know if it would be better to have a chain and adjusting shoe??
    i dont understand about the rubber sleeves...
    you want to replace the drive belt with a chain??
    i dont understand your statement about "they leak" the primary chain or drive chain??? i have never seen a drive chain leak, primarys,yes if assembled incorectly......sorry to be repetitive.....more info please...
  8. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    Ok if your asking about the drive chain thats up to you to put the auto lube on , if set right they don't leak except when set to lube the chain , My ol 73 shovel head had one that worked like it should but it was part on the maintence about every two months , to adj the drive chain side the wheel all the way forward slid the chain over the top & roll the wheel chain will roll on then slide wheel back top of chain should have no more then 1/4 in play up & down
  9. 59 hog

    59 hog New Member

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    this bike is chain drive, I am keeping it that way. Cowboy what do you mean by "don't leak except when set to lube the chain"? is'nt that the purpose of the chain bath setup? The leak I'm talking about is the chain bath housing itself. thanks to all who have responded
  10. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    you may have read this before, the the factory service manual will be the best tool in your box!!! it is money well spent!
  11. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    59hog the chain lube was intended to drop just a bit of lube at a time every so many miles , not to lube all the time & not to leak all over the chain & be thrown on the rear tire
  12. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    there is a thumbscrew regulator at the oil pump to control the amount of "drip"....should have a hose comming off it going over to the rear chain....if i am remembering correctly.............
  13. 59 hog

    59 hog New Member

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    hey chucktx, good advice on the manual, I've always had a manual with all my bikes. Sometimes they just don't explain things well enough. As for the oil hose. Not on this setup the oil stays in the housing on the rear wheel. again thanks to all for help.
  14. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

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    My bud has an 84 FLHT as his shop, I'll check with him on the amount of oil that goes in the housing and I'll see what other info on it I can dig up for you.:devil:
  15. whacker

    whacker Active Member

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    I had that on my 84 FXRT..I really didn't ever do anything with it ,but I know adjusting the chain was a guess...The chain riding in the oil bath I thought was a good idea,and the chain would never get dirty,but adjusting would be a problem...
  16. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    darn i was thinking of the style thats inside the primary , I forgot about the i think one year only real wheel oiler
  17. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

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    I didn't get to my buds shop but found a manual up at the "Dawg House" last night while having way too many wobbly pops:rolleyes:

    To check for chain tension

    Remove the bolts that hold the upper chain cover in place and slide the cover forward to expose as much of the upper chain run as possible. Use a bungee cord to hold the cover in place.
    Turn the rear wheel and check for the tightest point. Mark it and turn the wheel so the mark is on the upper chain run midway between both sprokets and check free play,it should be 1/2" with a rider on the bike.
    To adjust the chain, loosen the rear axle nut, then loosen the anchor bolt if it has one, then adjust the chain using the axle adjusters.
    Check chain alignment. Then tighten the axle nut to 60-65 ft-lbs then tighten axle adjusters.Release the chain cover and apply a coating of RTV silicone sealant to the chain cover and chain housing mating surface.
    Put the screws back in and wipe up any oil that spilled on the housing and tire.
    To lube the chain;
    Use 50 or 60 wt oil or 20w-50 if thats what you're running.
    Park the bike upright, check the oil level by removing the oil level bolt(about the 5 o'clock position on the sprocket housing)
    To add oil, pry the oil filler plug from the top front of sprocket housing and add the oil until it starts to come out of the oil level hole, then put the oil level bolt and o ring back in.
    To change the chain break the old one at the master link and attach the new chain to the old one and pull it through.

    Manuals sure come in handy:) ;)
  18. 59 hog

    59 hog New Member

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    Thanks Lucifer for your help,That answers part of my question, but if they were such a great ideal then,why do some people tell me to get rid of such a setup? The bike was not in working order or condition when I bought it. I ride a 79 flh with open drive chain it has the hose for chain lube as Chucktx refered to. but I know little about this setup. Seems to me that I should be able to get the tension right from your help, I will read over that again in my book. The first thing a biker wrench buddy told me when I bought my first a .72 sporty "get ya a shop (bible) manual". Again thanks to those who helped
  19. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

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    It does seem like a good set up, it'll keep the chain oiled and dirt and debris out,and be cleaner to run,no oil flying off the chain, just a little more work adjusting the chain is the only drawback I can see with it.
    The book also says to adjust rear brake peddle free play after the chain is adjusted
  20. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    59hog can you post a pic of that set up ?

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