After having the bike apart all winter I have had a few short rides and today was able to log a whopping 150-miles. Going over the bike and checking a few items I noticed a slight weep at the rear base gasket. The bike is about to turn 30K and I'll keep an eye on it, but know they do not heal themselves. Other than a few little things the bike is running and handling better than every, even got 6-mpg better on fuel.

 

Do NOT wash the gunk at the base gasket..........it may be worse than you think.

Don't ask me how I know...................

 

Not at the gunk stage, but hope to get through the riding season.

 

A friend of mine has had a weeping base gasket for several years.

If you aren't planning on motor upgrades I would ignore it.

 

I had one for 50,000 miles before it started leaving a spot on the garage floor. It'll be fine til next winter.

 

I have read that if a weeping paper gasket gets too sloppy it will cause a head gasket to fail. Not a big deal. Changing out base gaskets is an easy job. Just replace with James gaskets (IMO). The only special tool you need is a torque wrench. I have a buddy with a real high mileage 1986 FLHTC that he bought new in 86. He has put a stack of gaskets on that bike over the years and never had any machining done. He just uses the HD paper gaskets because he says he's tried them all and eventually they all leak.

Get a top end gasket kit, two wrist pin circlips a 12 pack (depending on how long it takes you) and you're ready to go. It takes me two 8 hour days because I take a lot of time scraping gaskets. Gotta get all the gasket without damaging the metal surfaces.

 

He put a stack of gaskets on and they all leak because, in his case, he probably needed machine work.

 

Sounds like a great plan. thanks

 

Only place mine weeps. But only when really hammering it for a few days. Not doing it till I decide big motor or do this one

 

I'm going to ride it and see what happens. Less than a 100.00 and a weekend it can all be good again. My preference is to wait until winter and add it to the list. The bike just keeps getting better and better. The great thing is I can work on it and enjoy doing things like this, learn something new each time.