AJS clutch oil - how much?

[BADGRL]

Hey guys,

kindly wondering if anyone knows the exact amount of clutch oil I should be using in the old girl?

cheers!

[Grumph]

There should be a level plug down about the level of the bottom chain run.
Pull the plug and top up till it just runs out the hole - replace the plug.

[Paul in NZ]

Be careful - those pressed steel primary cases leak like a bugger as they are very (very)easily distorted.

You might be better just to spray a little lube on it but dont go nuts - the clutch is in there. If you DO insist on putting oil in there use one without a friction modifier or else it will slip.

Join the AJS / Matchless owners club - they have a very good website in NZ that will be of more help than my distant memories...

[Paul in NZ]

Be careful - those pressed steel primary cases leak like a bugger as they are very (very)easily distorted.

You might be better just to spray a little lube on it but dont go nuts - the clutch is in there. If you DO insist on putting oil in there use one without a friction modifier or else it will slip.

Join the AJS / Matchless owners club - they have a very good website in NZ that will be of more help than my distant memories...

Oh - and post up a picture... My first bike was a 54 500cc AJS single (in ChCh) it would be a hoot if it was the same bike

[Grumph]

Just a clarification - the correct level is at the bottom of the inspection cover.

And Paul - RTV is the wonder invention for old pom chaincases.....

[Paul in NZ]

Just a clarification - the correct level is at the bottom of the inspection cover.

And Paul - RTV is the wonder invention for old pom chaincases.....

Alloy ones yes - pressed steel AMC ones - maybe...

[BADGRL]

Tell me about it!! I've resealed the clutch casing a good couple of times, trying to find a new rubber for it atm.

An old gentleman recommended jacking up a scott-oiler for it but doesn't the clutch run wet too though? Unless he meant switch to a dry clutch and just lube the primary chain :S

Cheers for the info - mine has a little unscrewable chrome cover the size of a 50c piece I'm guessing this is the 'level', the oil will cover the bottom half of the chain

[pete376403]

Lovley pic - my first real bike (ie one which was actually rideable) was a G9 matchy.
Not as nice as yours though. Highlight of ownership was melting a pushrod - a headgasket blew through to a pushrod tunnel, alloy (dural IIRC) pushrod got hot and melted. Never ever broke the crank though, which was what everyone reckoned these things did.

[Motu]

Ah,the twin.I had a Matchless G9,the worst bike I've owned by a long shot.It was only the 650 that broke cranks...the English started off with 500cc twins,and kept bumping them up from there.The centre bearing that was so much better than the other 2 bearing cranks wasn't so good really - the centre bearing of course is the weakest point,the 650 crank flexed there.Later ones had a nitride crank - but the rumour stuck,all AMC twins break cranks.

I think they are by far the best engineered of the British twins - the centre bearing,beautiful con rods,roller cam followers,oil pumps driven by each camshaft,wire wound pistons,separate barrels and heads,eccentric rocker adjustment,gorgeous mufflers,and a DA chain guard.

And the worst chaincase of any British twin...or single,or anything else.

[Paul in NZ]

Tell me about it!! I've resealed the clutch casing a good couple of times, trying to find a new rubber for it atm.

An old gentleman recommended jacking up a scott-oiler for it but doesn't the clutch run wet too though? Unless he meant switch to a dry clutch and just lube the primary chain :S

Cheers for the info - mine has a little unscrewable chrome cover the size of a 50c piece I'm guessing this is the 'level', the oil will cover the bottom half of the chain

Go here http://www.jampot.co.nz/index.html and look under specialised advice - there is a chch dude that specialises in the early twins.

The tin cases are horrible. People overtighten the centre nut or loose the spacer and warp the tin cases and thats it - virtually impossible to seal again (not that they were that flash to start with.)

The scot oiler idea is a goodun - clutch will be fine but best to ask the experts. Those guys ride the wheels off those old bikes and will know for sure.

[BADGRL]

Lovley pic - my first real bike (ie one which was actually rideable) was a G9 matchy.
Not as nice as yours though. Highlight of ownership was melting a pushrod - a headgasket blew through to a pushrod tunnel, alloy (dural IIRC) pushrod got hot and melted. Never ever broke the crank though, which was what everyone reckoned these things did.

Aaaah my ears! stop scaring me rofl.

I spent half my childhood watching Grandad out in his garage rebuilding this one from frame up, I remember all the boxes and boxes of bits'n'pieces... I swear I even have enough spares that came with it to build another couple of engines lol.

[BADGRL]

And the worst chaincase of any British twin...or single,or anything else.

Good to hear! If the chaincase is all I ever really have to worry about then I'll be one happy rider

Go here http://www.jampot.co.nz/index.html and look under specialised advice - there is a chch dude that specialises in the early twins.

The tin cases are horrible. People overtighten the centre nut or loose the spacer and warp the tin cases and thats it - virtually impossible to seal again (not that they were that flash to start with.)

The scot oiler idea is a goodun - clutch will be fine but best to ask the experts. Those guys ride the wheels off those old bikes and will know for sure.

Doh'! Yup I'm one of those silly buggers that tightened the centre bolt too much thinking it would keep the case nice and tightly in place A slight tweek over the knee is gonna be the best fix I can manage rofl!

Thanks for the link! That Jampot rally sounds like a go-er

[Paul in NZ]

I've been to one and seen a few of them - many of those guys take those things to all sorts of mental places and really ride them the way they were intended.

Good onya for using grandads bike, thats a hell of a good thing - they are a frustrating experience but when everything is 'right' they are very very rewarding. I hope to see you on it one day.