Oil circulation

[Pete T]

Hi There, My first post on this excellent site...

I had a broken alu pushrod (hydraulic) so was just doing a compression test while the tank-carb is off, just to see if I should strip it down further. Well, I got around 80+ psi on the compression test front and rear, but noticed there was no oil coming down from the top end (the pushrod covers are off, but pushrods are back on for the test)

Oil is bubbling at the lifter blocks, but nothing's coming down from the top ends even after 30 kicks. Should I be worried?

Many Thanx
Pete, in the UK (56 Pan)

[kitabel]

Most of the oil returns through the drains.

[RUBONE]

Most of the oil returns through the drains.

As Kitabel says, on a Panhead the oil drains down the return passage in the heads and cylinders. If you had enough oil in there for it to get into the pushrod tubes you would have a problem. All that collects in there is a little vapor.
And 30 kicks wouldn't push much oil up there anyway!
Robbie

[Pete T]

Big relief then. This site rocks, I would have struggled to get this information from anywhere else
Cheers
Pete

[Cotten]

Pete!

I'm sure the forum is still a bit curious about the broken pushrod.

What brand?
How did it happen?

Got pics?

Thanks in advance,

....Cotten

[kitabel]

Not really - it's in the service manual.

[Cotten]

Not really - it's in the service manual.

Kitabel!

Okay I'll bite:

Where in the Service Manual does it discuss aluminum pushrods breaking?
A Service Shot perhaps??

I have missed things in the Manual before.... no doubt!

...Cotten

[Pete T]

L1010543.jpg

Here's the offending rod. Unbranded, bought off WW catalog about 5,000 miles ago.

[Hog54]

That looks like it broke because its defective.I never had one break before.I had one bend once,but never break.

[Cotten]

Pete!

Considering the forgiving nature of hydraulics, and the survival of other aluminum pushrods with solids, we must point the finger at the manufacturer for this one.

....Cotten

[kitabel]

Try to focus.
What other remark could I have been responding to?

[PanPal]

It looks like it had been rubbing but there is nothing in the area of the rub mark that comes to mind.

[Pete T]

I did probably 20 miles after the break, hence the rubbing. It didn't run too bad, even though the tube was the only thing keeping the pushrod parts in line.
I presumed a topend problem, so removed tank-carb before I flipped the pushrod tubes.

[58flh]

I have seen this a few times----my people told me they put in colony pushrods, --if you check the steel part (ADJ.) only goes in about 9/16,-- to me thats the most part of rod that will be punished over & over. I had one let go that I had about 6000 miles on it. It fractured in the same place. You guys are right blame the supplier for a inferior part! One of my guys did a little x-perimenting & machined a ADJ. that went up a inch & a half, still in the bike on its 3rd season! Also the ball-ends are in the same amount. Just throwing it out there.(Cheers)--58flh

[Pete T]

Looking back through my receipts, I find that it was indeed Colony pushrods in the engine. I have ordered Jims as a replacement.