1969 Commando S oil tank/chain oiler set up

Can anyone please post images of the oil tank (central) lines including the chain oiler set up, thanks David

Ha, that was the first thing I took off the bike. I crimped that spigot on the tap closed and soldered it shut. Sorry but it's hard to find the pics of those original items. I know there was a sort of 'filter' that slowed down the oil flow, but it sure made a mess all under the bike. As if it already didn't leak enough they have to go and add to it. Even the spares book doesn't show much. If you want other lines, I may be able to help. Which central tank do you have, the spigot going into the top hat thing or going into the tank beside it? Lines aren't any different in either case. The timed breather from the left side of the engine goes to that spigot on top of the tank. Oil tank breathes out of the front of the oil tank into the air filter, that air filter line goes up into that top hat gizmo inside. But if you don't ride every day, it wet sumps and then a lot of that oil upon starting ends up in the air filter and of course then down onto the top of the gearbox, eventually finding it's way down under the gearbox and onto the rear tyre and then everywhere.

I may be the last commando owner to be running the stock oiler. I love it but it put out way too much oil at first. I know this because my friends behind were getting oil on their face shields! There is a part that I cannot even find in the parts books that I have seen only one time in my life. It is a clamp that clamps over the clear plastic tube which has the felt plug in it. The felt plug or plugs do not slow the flow down enough. So, what I did was use a red twizzel stick from a spray can, I put a #80 drill bit in the end, heated it and crimped it down onto the drill bit. Then I pulled the bit out with pliers and glued the red tube into the chain oiler metal tube. This allows just the right amount of oil down onto the chain while you go down the road. Keeps the non-o'ring chain perfectly oiled and does not get oil on your buddies face shield.

Leave the red plastic tube a little long and the oil will get right down onto the chain. Each time you park there will end up being a small spot of oil under the chain. How else would you know it was working?
Cheers, Dan.

Here are three photos from my ‘69 750 S. The chain oiler strainer is under a clip spot welded to the rear fender.

As always, answered in detail, thanks so much David

Wow, those look like the original ferrules on those oil lines. I kind of remember something attatched to the S chain guard. You guys are good.

Here are a few pictures from my 70 Roadster. They vary from the one that are posted but not by much.
I did a modification on the feed side filter bolt to facilitate draining the oil. There was no drain in the original tank so I had a hole drilled and tapped into the filter. Also the original clamps were different and there was no valve for the chain oiler. I filled the return line banjo line that would have gone to the oiler with solder, it looks right but won't work. As you can see the hose clamps are different.
Also the bridge piece that holds my rear fender is different from the one in the picture that was posted. I'm the second owner so what I got may or may not be correct.

John in Texas

DogT said:

Wow, those look like the original ferrules on those oil lines. I kind of remember something attatched to the S chain guard. You guys are good.

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I think they are also. This machine sat since 1977 with less than 11,000 miles.

I've seen both rear guard mounts on the 69-70. Mine, Apr 69, has the strap between the shock tops. I saw a couple later vintage that had the mount off the rear web like last pic shown. The guards are different. I used to have one of each, but I sold the one with the flat on it to a guy in EU.

N0rt0nelectr@ said:

Here are a few pictures from my 70 Roadster. They vary from the one that are posted but not by much.
I did a modification on the feed side filter bolt to facilitate draining the oil. There was no drain in the original tank so I had a hole drilled and tapped into the filter. Also the original clamps were different and there was no valve for the chain oiler. I filled the return line banjo line that would have gone to the oiler with solder, it looks right but won't work. As you can see the hose clamps are different.
Also the bridge piece that holds my rear fender is different from the one in the picture that was posted. I'm the second owner so what I got may or may not be correct.

John in Texas

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Hi John, thanks for the images. Are they the original fire flake Roman purple panels? I've been after a match for that colour for a while, or even a set of panels..
Can I just ask you about the chain oil pipe routing. Does the pipe go inside the chainguard?, thanks David

DogT said:

Wow, those look like the original ferrules on those oil lines. I kind of remember something attatched to the S chain guard. You guys are good.

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Dave,

I believe the front chainguard spacer has the delivery pipe brazed on. Not an easy piece to photograph!

I was out of town and just got back. The chain oiler hose end mounts up like the later ones inside the chainguard
Here is a picture out of the 69-70 parts book.
Item 17 is the fitting that fits inside the chain guard. Also I need to correct myself, there is a valve in the line going to the chain oiler.
John in Texas

fireflake said:

Hi John, thanks for the images. Are they the original fire flake Roman purple panels? I've been after a match for that colour for a while, or even a set of panels..
Can I just ask you about the chain oil pipe routing. Does the pipe go inside the chainguard?, thanks David

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I took the cover to a friend who ran the body shop for a local GM dealership. He had to send it out to a paint supply to have it matched, took a couple of weeks. They painted it for me which isn't a service you get from most car dealers. The side covers and the replacement tank cost me over $400 to get painted.
Just went out and took some pictures of my chain oiler for you.
John