Oil behind timing cover?

[LukeM]

I can't see the grade of gasoline having much to do with your problem.  The higher the octane, the slower the flame travels (less volatility). Back in the day, carburated car engines were running so lean, they used to ping a lot running regular unleaded.  If you were too cheap to afford the tuneup and the associated adjustments, you just went up a grade or two on gas, and that usually took care of the ping.  I'm sure ShinyChest will have some input on that.

I'd double check all the stuff in a tuneup.  Check the timing, make sure it's spot on. Check the wiring on the spark plugs.  Sometimes the ends at the spark plug cap will get loose.  The fix for that is to remove the spark plug cap, cut the wire back about 1/4", and put the cap back on. If it's the factory coils, you'll notice they are a metal conductor and not the fancy graphite/fiberglass stuff that's on cars these days.  The coils don't generate a really big voltage, and need metal spark plug wires to make good spark.

Have you check the cam chain adjustments?  Sometimes if that hasn't been done in a while, the engine and ignition may be a little out of whack when the RPMs climb.

If that doesn't get it, you may want to pull the carb bank, and give the insides a good cleaning.  There have been many many postings on carb cleaning on this forum, so the Search bar on the home page is your friend.

Try those things, and see if it helps any.
Luke M

[Hellbilly429]

Yeah, my 81 750k had oil in there too, could just about change the oil if you lean it on the kick stand, but it's supposed to be like that to lubricate the gears in the ignition system.

[shinyribs]

LukeM wrote

  I'm sure ShinyChest will have some input on that.

Luke M

Nope.The boss has spoke,I'm not needed.What you said sounds good to me. I was glad to read that these bikes don't need 93 octane.I figured with compression ratios in the low 9's and an aluminum head that it wasn't needed,but wasn't sure considering the higher operating temps of the stuff i'm used to.Learning everyday...

[LukeM]

The boss?  Listening to your wife again?  Smart man.

Anyhoo, there's no harm in running midgrade or premium in these motors, just as there's no harm in running regular.  If you think it's a cost issue, we're talking maybe 20-30 cents US difference in a tank between one level and the next. It's easy enough to test this: run a tank of each, and see how your bike responds.  Then run the one you think your bike is happiest with.

Luke M

[Cl350]

I have the same issue on my CL350 1973..did you get an answer?

[Lucky 1]

You cannot adjust pilot jets. They are solid pieces of metal inside the float bowl that allow gas to be sucked in for idle.

You can adjust the Mixture screw for the idle circuit.

[Lucky 1]

You need to remove the points plate and advance mechanism and replace that oil seal.
Easy job.

[Lucky 1]

No the oil is NOT supposed to be in there.
IF the bike leans and oil gets on the ignition points it will not run for very long.
You just put a high temp grease on the points cam. A very small amount smeared on.

The points rub on that cam, and that is why you put the grease on the points cam.
OIL does not belong in that case.

[Half-Caf]

Lucky 1 wrote

No the oil is NOT supposed to be in there.
OIL does not belong in that case.

Lucky, this is a DOHC. Oil under that cover is 100% normal. Also, the bike has no points that it would interfere with.

[Piute]

  O.K. I'm not specialist on gas grade's,But for a few cents more I'll give my bike the best I can give it,after all the work I (other knowledge)put into it,This i do know that there are different way to build octane (used to use street racing when 101 oct was avl.) So can't see that at higher would not be better for performance.Supposedly my F2 head and valves were made for this gas we know get out are pumps.I will not put any vehicle through the junk that comes out of are convenient gas-marts,Use Phillip 66 in my bike,Union 76 was last of the 101..
                                       Just my few cents more ""for MY bike""

[Lucky 1]

Thanks Half-Calf.

I thought it was a SOHC.  Nevermind.