1965 Superhawk

[Lancaster]

Cool thanks for the info and reply
Lancaster

[e3steve]

Hi Lancaster

The Oil filter on this bike is a centrifugal one which mechanically spins the muck out of the oil. It's driven by a chain from the left hand crank end and lives under the cover with the three screws at the front of the primary chain case. You have to dismantle and clean this at regular intervals.

As for oil, best to search this site for a myriad of opinions on oil for these little machines. The suggestions will range from the original 30W oil recommended by Honda in the 50s and 60s up to modern synthetics. I'll stay on safe ground and suggest that whatever you use, that you change it as often as you can afford! Suffice to say that oil has developed as much over the last 50 or 60 years as all of the other branches of Engineering.....

G

Spot-on advice. Change oil and clean filter at least every 1000mls. Use the oil that suits your pocket, but don't overdo it; I use Castrol 15w40 semi-detergent for wet clutch bikes for my climate. Many, LM included, use straight SAE30 non-detergent.

If you remove the 3-screw cover, don't re-assemble without removing the entire clutch cover itself -- there's a washer that goes between the filter drum and the crankcasings that drops off into that cover. Drain off the oil first.

Search The Forum here for keywords like "oil type" and "oil filter" for more info. And try to get the Bill Silver books on eBay or CD from Michael Stoic.

[LOUD MOUSE]

That washer installs at the end with the pin not at the engine end.
If ya install it at the engine end the aluminum at the pin end wear into each other. ...........lm

Hi Lancaster

The Oil filter on this bike is a centrifugal one which mechanically spins the muck out of the oil. It's driven by a chain from the left hand crank end and lives under the cover with the three screws at the front of the primary chain case. You have to dismantle and clean this at regular intervals.

As for oil, best to search this site for a myriad of opinions on oil for these little machines. The suggestions will range from the original 30W oil recommended by Honda in the 50s and 60s up to modern synthetics. I'll stay on safe ground and suggest that whatever you use, that you change it as often as you can afford! Suffice to say that oil has developed as much over the last 50 or 60 years as all of the other branches of Engineering.....

G

Spot-on advice. Change oil and clean filter at least every 1000mls. Use the oil that suits your pocket, but don't overdo it; I use Castrol 15w40 semi-detergent for wet clutch bikes for my climate. Many, LM included, use straight SAE30 non-detergent.

If you remove the 3-screw cover, don't re-assemble without removing the entire clutch cover itself -- there's a washer that goes between the filter drum and the crankcasings that drops off into that cover. Drain off the oil first.

Search The Forum here for keywords like "oil type" and "oil filter" for more info. And try to get the Bill Silver books on eBay or CD from Michael Stoic.

[Lancaster]

Very helpful info on this topic. I just ordered both new air filters a new sealed battery and some other things so I figured why go this far and not change the oil out to make sure its all ok.
THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP!
Lancaster

[e3steve]

That washer installs at the end with the pin not at the engine end.
If ya install it at the engine end the aluminum at the pin end wear into each other. ...........lm

Spot-on advice. Change oil and clean filter at least every 1000mls. Use the oil that suits your pocket, but don't overdo it; I use Castrol 15w40 semi-detergent for wet clutch bikes for my climate. Many, LM included, use straight SAE30 non-detergent.

If you remove the 3-screw cover, don't re-assemble without removing the entire clutch cover itself -- there's a washer that goes between the filter drum and the crankcasings that drops off into that cover. Drain off the oil first.

Search The Forum here for keywords like "oil type" and "oil filter" for more info. And try to get the Bill Silver books on eBay or CD from Michael Stoic.

Bollox! I always get that bit wrong; I've neither changed my oil nor cleaned my filter in 2000mls, as I'm running this old motor into the ground 'till it can rattle no more. The last time I pulled the filter cover I got the washer back from the clutch casing with a hooked welding wire. I put it back where it belongs and then still I give wrong advice. Don't listen to me, guys! Sorry......

[LOUD MOUSE]

:-) Alright there Steve! Ya better get ya act together!. :-). ..............lm

That washer installs at the end with the pin not at the engine end.
If ya install it at the engine end the aluminum at the pin end wear into each other. ...........lm

Spot-on advice. Change oil and clean filter at least every 1000mls. Use the oil that suits your pocket, but don't overdo it; I use Castrol 15w40 semi-detergent for wet clutch bikes for my climate. Many, LM included, use straight SAE30 non-detergent.

If you remove the 3-screw cover, don't re-assemble without removing the entire clutch cover itself -- there's a washer that goes between the filter drum and the crankcasings that drops off into that cover. Drain off the oil first.

Search The Forum here for keywords like "oil type" and "oil filter" for more info. And try to get the Bill Silver books on eBay or CD from Michael Stoic.

Bollox! I always get that bit wrong; I've neither changed my oil nor cleaned my filter in 2000mls, as I'm running this old motor into the ground 'till it can rattle no more. The last time I pulled the filter cover I got the washer back from the clutch casing with a hooked welding wire. I put it back where it belongs and then still I give wrong advice. Don't listen to me, guys! Sorry......

[Lancaster]

Ok went out last night and bout the oil I got the synthetic. Here are couple pics of the bike as of now. I am waiting on the new air filters and the tank cleaner and sealer to get here as long with the exhaust flanges and collars also the new battery.

All thats left to do is take off the side covers on the motor and clean and paint them while they are off change the oil and degrease the motor and then paint the rear fender then clean the wheels. Then put it the fenders and stuff back on and let it ride.