I haven't started the three wheeler for a month or more due to current restrictions and was surprised when Claire told me about a puddle of oil under the engine. I have not had the time to rectify the crankshaft oil seal / shaft fault on my machine but it does not leak - till now! thinking about the situation and reminded by similar leaks on the Velocette I assumed that the oil from the tank had drained down in to the crank cases and reached the shaft where, over time, it has seeped through the seal - I was correct. what surprised me was that when I started the engine to pump the oil back up to the tank it splurged about half a litre out through the breather in to the air intake filter and thence to the garage floor! It must have been quite full.
The moral of the story is obvious - if you are leaving the car unused for any length of time fire up the engine every couple of weeks to make sure the crankcases don't get filled up.
Maybe a little spring loaded ball valve in the feed line like the one on the Velocette would be the answer? Can't beat a good old idea.
