I have tried to get the answer By reading Sno Bum,s site but am unsure about the cir-clip. My serial # is WB1046904S6294476. I will send it for inspection if needed but thought some one more familiar might have the answer.
This bike was recently purchased after a long absence from the Air Head world but I have previously owned at least one of most of the Air Head models. None of them as I recall ever needed oil added between changes. This bike now has less than 24,000 miles on it. I changed the oil and filter at 21,300. I have had to add a total of 1 QT in between. All most all of the 2,700 was done in two different trips consisting of interstate and West Virginia mountains. Is this considered acceptable oil usage? Glad to be back, Thanks, Tom
Welcome Aboard !
• Someone else will need to address the circlip. And here I expect you are referring to the missing circlip in the gearbox which was addressed here recently.
• Your oil level can go down for many reasons. You'll need to inspect several things...
1. You should be running 20W50 of an oil API rated SF, SG or SF/SG. Such an oil is Valvoline VR1 20W50.
2. You should replace your air filter. Dirty air filters create more vacuum, which is relieved by sucking more air from the engine breather system.
3. Part of the engine breather system entails a "well" where oil puddles and is allowed to return to the interior of the engine. If the tiny return hole at the bottom of the well becomes clogged, excess oil will then exit the engine. This "well" is under the small cover just to the right and rear of the starter motor.
4. It is common for engines coming from storage to burn excess oil while the rings re-seat. That may take 1000 miles, but you seem to be past this point.
5. The bottom push rod tube seals harden with age. When these 4 parts harden, they stop trying to create an oil seal to the engine. Engine oil returning down the push rod tubes will then leak out and be blown off the engine. If your seals are older than ~7 years, then they probably need to be replaced.
Hope this helps.
Owning an old Airhead is easy.
Keeping an old Airhead running great is the true test.
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