[mercman55]

I have a 1983 80 c.i. Shovelhead in a rigid frame bike that I've been working on for about 4 years now.

The bike is up and running.....BUT, when I'm kicking on the bike, the crank case breather hose sounds awful (like hissing and gurgling) and pukes up maybe 1/2 cup of oil each time I start the bike.

A guy at Bud's Motorcycles in Austin here told me that I probably have a bad check-valve. The check-valve supposedly keeps gravity from draining oil out of the oil tank and into the case.

Does this sound right? How hard would it be to change out? Would I have to split the cases?

I kind of bummed, and I hope this isn't too serious, because everything else turned out perfect (at least I think so)! This is one of the last loose ends....

Any help appreciated,

Thanks, Ben

 

[tom]

its the check valve...its not tought to fix and no splitting cases more info and pics here

nice bike

 

[mercman55]

Thanks for the info Tom!

 

[TurboRoadster]

it is a sumping issue and as said an easy fix...and damn thats a nice bike and cool rod too

 

[Creepinogie]

You can lap the ball seat with the oil pump in-place. But personally, I'd take the pump off and do it so there's no chance of lapping compound getting into the oil system. You may just get lucky and find out it's a bunch of crud on the seat.. You can take the pump off without taking the cam cover off if your carefull. Nice looking bike and I especially like the battery box. I'm going to have to cop that idea...

 

[Billy Lame]

Lapping the check ball only works if it stays in the same place on its seat all the time,and that rarely happens.Breather timing could also be off if it pukes excessively.If it does it when warmed up its a worn out scavenge gear.

 

[sumo]

or instead of lapping it i you can get 2 spare balls and tack one on a rod and use it as a punch. then stick a new ball in and all good [well that worked for me last month with same problem] - i chose this option so i didnt have any danger of introducing any grinding past to the oil system - just a matter of whipping the oil pump off and working on the bench with it - dont forget to mark your lines up where they go though...

 

[Billy Lame]

That bike is sweet!If you plan to do some serious riding and money isnt tight,Buying a new pump is your best,easiest,and safest bet.Ive had good luck with re-pop v-twin pumps believe it or not.I cant stand the way S&S pumps look.I cant tell from the pic if your running a factory engine or not?