Jerry - I Found Your No-hole Primary Filler

[hennesse]

Jerry Raino - a long time back you had found a primary filler cap that didn't have a hole in it. We thought it might be a very early 1952.

34742-54 - The Enduro Transmission Filler Cap has no hole in it and is used in place of the standard cap.

from the 1954 Accessory Catalog

endurance.jpg (289.18 KiB) Viewed 22730 times

[JerrryR]

Good find Dave but let me suggest based on my original evidence the following. The original early Ks had the plug minus the hole. This turned out to be a problem so they went to the plug with a hole for the standard plug. At some point they realized the hole was a problem for the endures and made available the non-vented plug in 54?
Take care,
JerryR

[hennesse]

Jerry,

The endurance thing highlights the problem on the early-1952 K's - crankcase vacuum can't suck excess oil out of the primary case unless there's a vent to let air into the primary. It's kinda amazing they didn't think of this. Or maybe the production department spilled coffee on the last step of the filler cap machining procedure.

It does suggests a way to use the original no-hole filler cap on an early 1952 K - drill a hole through the toolbox mounting stud. Either hole might result in a .001-point deduction, so I'd stick with the vented cap. No good deed goes unpunished.

Dave

[sportsterpaul]

Another way to vent the primary/tranny is to use the 1977 and later motor mount bolt that is hollow and has a hose nipple on it. I think it will fit with a horseshoe oil bag but I doubt it would clear the stock 6V battery stuff-- It might be too short to pass through the motor mount and still have 3 threads of engagement.

34744-77

https://www.finditparts.com/products/57 ... n-34744-77

[Mark.A]

I just was reading this post about know hole in primary cap. Took a look at the one on my 52 k it doesn't have a hole I think it's original as I have had this bike awhile.

[EKHKHK56]

I use the motor mount bolt vent method

[JerrryR]

Hi MarkA
Not to highjack this thread but when I have an opportunity to gather information about early K frames I can't resist. If you don't mind would you tell me a little about your frame and just the first two of the VIN, like 52K 13XX? Does your frame have the "welded on rear fender strut supports" or are they part of the seat casting?
Thanks in advance for any info you can share.
JerryR

[Maxcapacity]

Jerry, I just recently picked up a late production 53K (K2926) with an unmolested frame. Let me know if you want pictures of anything specific.

Greg

[JerrryR]

Hi Greg,
Thanks for the offer. Does your frame have hollow or solid footpeg brackets? Does it have a date code on the seat casting on the lower right side of the tank boss, a letter and a number?
Thanks again,
JerryR

[Maxcapacity]

It has the later solid footpeg brackets, but still early enough to not have a date code, and the casting is raw, never machined for stamping one. It has an unwelded neck and non-reinforced downtubes.