first post - mk111 swingarm leak ?

Hello - Have enjoyed reading other posts on this forum and learned a lot about my new old bike. I am the very happy new owner of silver 77 mk111 with 26k on the clock. Have put 600 miles on it in a month after 20 years rather light use and a few problems are emerging. dragging clutch - plan to change the plates and put in the gbox oils seal. seem s to be dripping oil in increasing ammounts from being fairly dry when I got it. As far as I can see it is coming out of one side of the swingarm mounts. it has the piped in oil feed from a little reservoir, no grease nipple. but what suprises me is that the level doesn't seems to be dropping so maybe I've got it wrong. are these leaks a known problem on mk111's ( can't really see my way through the model specific issues via a search ) and whats the best way to deal with it. Is it a big job to remove the swingarm and replace the seals if thats what needs to be done ? appreciate any advice guys

Welcome to the forum.

Somebody has added the reservoir, as the original 850 MkIII swinging arm pivot is a non-serviceable "sealed for life" arrangement containing felt wicks impregnated with EP140 oil and sealed with welch plugs. The oil retained by the felt wicks was supposed to provide sufficient lubrication over the expected life of each bush. If oil is leaking out then the assembly is being over-oiled, as the sintered bronze Oilite bushes are practically self-lubricating.

http://www.nortonmotors.de/ANIL/Norton% ... &Plate=016

In other words, remove all that stuff that the previous owner added, and continue to wipe up the oil leaks coming out of the swingarm ends for quite a while until finally it all leaks out, then forget about it.

http://britmoto.com/manuals/Manuals/850_man.pdf

SECTION K10

SWINGING ARM PIVOT LUBRICATION

The Mk III swinging arm pivot is a pre-lubricated bearing, employing felt wicks, thoroughly impregnated with SAE 140 oil. (The factory use EP.140 with 2% molybdenum disulphide additive).
The wicks feed oil to the bushes which are thus lubricated and sealed for life.

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thanks a lot - that's really helpful advice - and I don't have to spend anything or strip down the back end as feared !

Welcome to the forum, David.

Welcome David,

If the oil leak remains after checking all the above, look for damaged oil pipes or oil filter leaks.
Best of luck,
Cash.

ps Are you far from the West coast?

davidcumbria said:

As far as I can see it is coming out of one side of the swingarm mounts. it has the piped in oil feed from a little reservoir, no grease nipple.

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cash said:

If the oil leak remains after checking all the above, look for damaged oil pipes or oil filter leaks.

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Cash has it right, oil leaks can migrate and travel at wierd angles to end up dripping from an unrelated area of the bike.

cash said:

Welcome David,

If the oil leak remains after checking all the above, look for damaged oil pipes or oil filter leaks.
Best of luck,
Cash.

ps Are you far from the West coast?

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thanks guys for all the replies - I am in grange over sands but frequently ride round to holmbrook because its such a brilliant road.

I am in grange over sands but frequently ride round to holmbrook because its such a brilliant road.

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Eskdale nice roads and handy for the passes. I've missed out this year though the signs are better for next year.

Cash