99 lubrication oils

In Cumbria, you have RGM Motors in Beckermit for a start.

If standing for a while it is very likely that the oil has passed the pump and has ended up, mostly in the sump. Drain this oil and return it to the tank and then check the level. An ideal upper oil level would be the upper of the 3 ridges on the oil tank. A minute after re-starting check that oil is returning to the tank. After standing it is also a good idea to put your finger over where the oil is returning to the tank to force oil to the rockers.10 seconds is usually enough.

Some oil may have drained into the timing case. The bike may smoke from the R/H silencer on start up until this has burnt off.

If your bike is fitted with an oil filter then 20/50  multi  grade is a good choice. Otherwise straight 40 is a good all year round choice. I have been using Castrol these past 10 years.

Gear Box: Castrol Classic EP 90 is ideal and is safe for use in old gearboxes. 

For Primary chain cases I use straight 20. Miller oils and Golden film (Morris) sell this but a little hard to find now in shops and jumbles. But whatever you use, do not use anything with synthetics.

Hope this helps,

Neil.

Where in Cumbria are you? I'm on the west coast mid way between Whitehaven and Egremont about 15 minutes from RGM in Beckermet.

John 

Stephen,

Just double click on John's name and send him a private message.

As for cleaning. Avoid washing up liquid as it has salt in it.

WD40 do some handy sized chain lubes.

A cleaner to start

An oiler

And a chain wax to keep the chain oil in in and water proof.

All without having to remove your chain. Works well for me, no adjustment needed since 2 years.

I have a Scottoiler on my  99  , Can't yet  say it works well  as  its a bit difficult  to arrange on  a Dommy.  Work in progress.  It did a fantastic job on a hard ridden  big Yamaha MT10 .  Important to realise that  the basic non O ring  chains  need  regular  attention  and lubrication   to avoid heavy wear  ,. replacement of  sprockets  is a  harder job than on a modern bike . 

The std Dommy breather pipe directs oil to the ground. Owners often bend and modify to direct discharge onto the gearbox sprocket. Sometimes this works ok, sometimes overbreathing can overoil things including the tyre. Engine fumes can be moist and acidic if short journeys done. I prefer to remove ,wash in solvent, soak in  low melting point graphite grease/wax  and give occasional brush with ep90.  I have a spare chain to pull over sprockets . Its a faff so I am hoping the Scottoiler will come good . We shall see.  I found  spray chain wax to be too messy and  did not contain enough actual lubricant to prevent stiff links. Neil has managed to get the wax to stay on an oiled chain  somehow. I did use a protector oil all over  on the Atlas , this has dried to an immovable  coating and son has expressly forbidden me to repeat the treatment !!.I quite like that matt all over  gangster look.

With regard to general protection of painted metal parts, the best I have found is 'super troll.'

The breather pipe on my 1960 99 was directed at the gearbox sprocket BUT if the bike was not started for a week or more there was a big puddle on the floor after starting.

I have now angled the pipe up and fitted a 3/8 clear pipe (Via an adapter) to exit at the rear on the motorcycle. No more mess and wasted oil on start up. The oil returns to the engine.