Engine breather system - 350 Classic
Hi all, greetings from sunny Milton Keynes where I am on grandpa duties. Managed to take the Bullet out a couple of times this week but dumped most of my engine oil onto the A5 on my way back to base. Got back ok with no apparent damage so proved how bomb proof the 350 motor is, even when abused. The cause appears to be the breather system blocking up with white gunk again, pressurising the crankcase and forcing the oil out of the breather (now rerouted to the drive chain, not the air filter box like last time) and all over the back wheel - just like the old days when all my old bikes seemed to leak oil! Complete system now cleaned out (again!) and oil topped up. Any advice, especially from Jim, before I venture out into roundabout city once more? Regards, Pete.

Dont use the bike and walk instead, it keeps you fitter and costs less. Just kidding, check the breather pipes for kinks where they go around the frame tubes , you may find some going uphill when infact they should be running down hill. Short journeys is often the problem, not getting the oil warm enough to burn off contaminents, i know this wont be your problem because when you get off the leash you usually go for a million mile ride so the oil will be getting nice and hot. There is a little duck bill breather inside the timing cover, if i remember rightly, check to see if this is working ok and has not fallen off, if it has it can cause the oil tank to pressurise. I think i have just been thinking about the Electra so disregard this for your bike. Im going for a kip. Jim

Hi Jim, thanks for the advice but I am walking enough already with a hypeactive Jack Russell and a 4x4 pushchair! As for running downhill you should know by now that I dont run anywhere, thats why man invented the wheel. I have checked all the breathers again and made sure the duckbill inside the catchpot is clear before venturing out between rain showers into the lanes of Bucks. The Bullet is running really well again so tell John the 103 main jet seems ideal but the occasional spit back from standstill is still present - I will check the auto A&R is not sticking when I get 10 mins in the garage. Regards to all at the HLC old codgers debating society & I hope John has managed to persuade someone to make his coffee for him. See you later this month, Pete.

Coffee is rubbish at the moment, if you get one at all !!! :(

Hi Jim, shouldnt have said the bike was going so well - throttle cable broke last night so did the last few hundred yards at fast tickover! Thought I had a spare in the kit provided but only have brake and clutch, maybe its the bikes way of getting a rest. Not to worry, new one ordered ont' web (no RE dealer in MK). Saw a great old bike while I was out, a totally unrestored Brough Superior on its way back from the Festival of 1,000 bikes undergoing a roadside puncture repair (assistance offered but not needed). Also had a ride in a 1928 Austin 7 trials special with a replica Ulster body when I got back so apart from the cable issue not a bad day. See you in a couple of weeks to make a brew, Pete.

Couldnt you do a swap for the Brough or better still the Austin 7. That way you could of got back here and make me a coffee. Spitting feathers now, My mouth feels like the inside of Gandys left flip flop. Jim