Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Crank case Curiosity

I need help identifying "hole" in the crank case. I was caught in some rain the other day, got home. Following day cleaned the bike/lubed the chain. While cleaning around the engine. I noticed the "hole" and it is filled with oil and water. At first I though this was a bolt that had vibrated loose, but there are no threads - a cap maybe. The disturbing part is the presence of oil and the fact that the sight glass is covered. I'm assuming water has gotten into the crankcase. 09 America. Pictures provided, my finger is pointing to the "hole" in the second picture.

[image]http://s764.photobucket.com/albums/xx285/Beldon55/My%20Triumph%20America/?action=view&current=P2200203.jpg[/image]

[image]http://s764.photobucket.com/albums/xx285/Beldon55/My%20Triumph%20America/?action=view&current=P2200207.jpg[/image]

Any help is appreciated.

I just checked my speedy and mine has the "hole" too. Mine however is dry and clean. I do not know its purpose but was able to determine that is only 3/4 inch deep. I suspect the rain you rode through has washed off some oil from the exterior of the engine and is trapped there. Maybe just wipe it clean and keep an eye on it. I never even noticed it there.

That 'hole' is just a receptacle for a 'cable retainer.' I've included one of your pics, and a picture of that same area from my bike (note the aftermarket cable retainer).

The hole does not go all the way through the crankcase and in no way contributes to water getting inside the engine. The presence of oil there is curious, but could not possibly come from that so-called, "hole." I'm thinking the oil may be a bit of chain oil seepage from the front sprocket cover.

I'm not sure why the sight glass is completely covered... maybe the angle the bike is sitting at, or possibly the crankcase was overfilled. But I can assure you, that "hole" you pointed out is NOT the culprit of anything.

Thanks for the reassurances. I cleane out the hole and sure enough, once I got all the crp out of it, the hole only went about 3/4" down. I thought I had vibrated a bolt loose, then noticed no thread and I guess I had just never paid attention before when cleaning the bike. I just changed the oil about 2 weeks ago, and the level was correct then, so I'll pull some off and see what it looks like. I have the bike on a lift so its level. Thanks.

that hole is actually a locating boss (for fixturing) from the original machining of the upper crank case. It is (or should be) a blind hole. Its use for the wire retainer is secondary.