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Re: Strada Camshaft Oil Ways

Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2020 8:35 pm
by Duccout
Yes, thanks George, my thoughts too, but fuel seems to be flowing fast into the float chamber, so I suspect possible gum deposits, but I will check the flow; as you say, all that rust is a constant problem. There is a drilling that goes from the float chamber up to the carb body, so I will check that is open first. It is just so annoying that the first chance that I get to test the bike, it will not play ball.

Re: Strada Camshaft Oil Ways

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 7:55 am
by Ventodue
Duccout wrote:<snip> It is just so annoying that the first chance that I get to test the bike, it will not play ball.


Yeah, but it's a Ducrappi, Colin. So what did you expect :D :D :D :D ?

Re: Strada Camshaft Oil Ways

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 10:07 am
by Duccout
This morning while it was still cool, I took off the float bowl again and removed the pilot jet which was blocked, cleared it, replaced everything and started the engine, which ran perfectly. Repeated yesterday's exercise of getting the bike out of the garage, got my gear on and the bike would not start!

Pilot jet out again, clean, drop float needle down the clutch arm hole, struggle to get selector box off, swear copiously while dripping with sweat, until finally I manage to do two runs up and down the road. Got the engine ticking over metronomically after I adjusted the pilot screws, but was wary of riding it anywhere! It is too hot for pushing bikes.

Finally I got my gear on and went for a short (4 mile) ride along a country lane. The good news: the bike steers beautifully, the engine is smooth and torquey, really torquey, and the gearbox is flawless.

The bad news: it is leaking oil from every joint at the top-end. I've never had an oil leak from any of my previous Duc Singles, and can't see obvious reason for the leaks, unless the engine is being pressurized from somewhere, which is a worry. The brakes are non-existent, but I hope that they improve with use. The engine feels very flat - opening the throttle results in torque, but not much revs, and I don't know if that is the result of the small valves and white cam, or just the unfamiliarity of such a small engine.

Re: Strada Camshaft Oil Ways

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 3:59 pm
by Ventodue
¡Felicidades! Trust you've now had time for a good shower :D

Leaky joints is a bit of a concern, I agree. I don't have to tell you that Ducrappis .. don't (normally)

Jon may have something to say about the 'performance' ...

Re: Strada Camshaft Oil Ways

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 5:16 pm
by Duccout
Hi Craig,

It's clear that I have a major oil leak from the cambox, mainly from all three oil union bolts (I fitted new annealed copper washers) the top of the bevel tube flange and the camshaft end cap. I am wondering if the oil way to the top end on Italian bikes has a restrictor in it, and that Mototrans fitted their restrictor into the cam instead. The reason that I say this is that my Mototrans cam had a roll pin inserted into the feed, but the Bologna cam that I fitted does not. It seems to me that the oil is reaching the cambox faster than it can drain, and pressurising it.

Re: Strada Camshaft Oil Ways

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 5:51 pm
by George
Duccout wrote:Hi Craig,

It's clear that I have a major oil leak from the cambox, mainly from all three oil union bolts (I fitted new annealed copper washers) the top of the bevel tube flange and the camshaft end cap. I am wondering if the oil way to the top end on Italian bikes has a restrictor in it, and that Mototrans fitted their restrictor into the cam instead. The reason that I say this is that my Mototrans cam had a roll pin inserted into the feed, but the Bologna cam that I fitted does not. It seems to me that the oil is reaching the cambox faster than it can drain, and pressurising it.


Hi Colin my Mototrans cam also has a roll pin inserted into the feed. I can understand might be leaking from tube flange but would not expect leaks from oil union bolts. I am attempting to set up my head bevels today without success. will explain on my own topic.

Re: Strada Camshaft Oil Ways

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 6:26 pm
by ranton_rambler
My Bologna 175 has a roll pin in the camshaft too. I believe it’s a common modification to force oil out into the rocker/cam area.
When I first got mine going it also leaked from the 3 banjo unions. Can’t remember how I sorted it, probably just strip, clean reassemble and nip up again when hot. Camshaft cap and bevel tube joint do have very slight weeps, but not enough to make me want to fix them yet.
Ian

Re: Strada Camshaft Oil Ways

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 7:18 pm
by LaceyDucati
The roll pin should be in the threaded end of the cam, not in the feed end. Putting it in the threaded end restricts the oil escaping the end rather than going out onto the cam lobes. Placing the roll pin in the feed end will just restrict flow to the cam.

If the banjo union has dished in faces (common with early non flanged bolts) then leaks are likely to occur. The original sealing washers should be alloy not copper. If all faces are good then alloy washers will seal well. Lightly wetting the faces of the alloy washers with Loctite 572, will deal with any minor weeps due to slightly imperfect banjos. 572 is a thread sealant, but it works on faces as well. Like always with sealants, small amounts are all that is needed. Regarding leaks from the tunnel gasket, I've said my bit several times on this :-)

Nigel

Re: Strada Camshaft Oil Ways

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 7:42 pm
by Duccout
Hi Nigel,

Thank you for commenting! My Mototrans cam had a roll pin in both ends of the cam, at the threaded end, as normal, but also at the feed end, severely restricting the flow of oil to the lobes, but the Bologna cam that I replaced it with does not, which led me to worry that the flow of oil was too fast to allow it to drain properly.

Thanks for the tip about the banjo faces, I can see how over tightening could cause the face to dish; I'll have a look and try sealant.

Re: Strada Camshaft Oil Ways

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 9:01 pm
by George
Hi Colin Just checked my Mototrans cam, roll pin in threaded end only.