Harley Davidson Forums
Harley Davidson Forums - Harley Davidson Classifieds - HDForums.com Photo Galleries - Create an Account - Harley Davidson News

Go Back   Harley Davidson Forums > Harley Davidson Motorcycles > Classic > Ironhead


Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 10-10-2007, 03:38 PM
bdavis's Avatar
bdavis bdavis is offline
Road Captain
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location:
Posts: 671
Default Breather Tube?

I am still having some oil leakage that I cannot find that is getting on my rear tire. I am getting ready to replace the primary gasket as I know I'm losing some from there, but I don't think that is my main problem.

I keep thinking that I read somewhere on here about a breather tube somewhere near the starter that can blow oil. I'm not talking about the tube up front. When I put my battery back in I remember finding a clear tube about 1/8 to 3/16 that was not connected to anything and was about 10 inches long. I couldn't find anyplace to put it so I just set it aside. But come to think of it, that is about the time I started getting oil onto my rear tire. I don't know if I just can't see or what, but I cannot find where this is supposed to go. Any ideas? Any pictures?

Thanks,
Barry
__________________
2007 Street Glide
2003 Z1000
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on HD Forums!
  #2  
Old 10-10-2007, 05:41 PM
83XLX's Avatar
83XLX 83XLX is offline
Prospect
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Heart of Dixie
Posts: 242
Default RE: Breather Tube?

Could be the transmission vent tube. I don't know if your bike is the same, but mine's connected sort of behind the sprocket cover, under the starter. Sorry, no pics. Mine even blew trans fluid out of the hose until I routed it up higher under the seat area.

One other possibility - it wasn't just an old battery vent hose you discovered, was it?
__________________
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-10-2007, 06:09 PM
bdavis's Avatar
bdavis bdavis is offline
Road Captain
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location:
Posts: 671
Default RE: Breather Tube?

Quote:
One other possibility - it wasn't just an old battery vent hose you discovered, was it?
It's a possibility. I will have to take a look and see.

My bike is a 72 XLH.

Thanks,
Barry
__________________
2007 Street Glide
2003 Z1000
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-10-2007, 06:56 PM
piniongear's Avatar
piniongear piniongear is offline
Road Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 1,788
Default RE: Breather Tube?

I am almost certain that the 1972 XL had no vent on the transmission. This came later around 1976-1977. Do you have a leak around the countershaft? Thats the main sprocket, righthand side. There is a seal behind the sprocket and that could be leaking. It would leave an oil trail though if it were leaking..........pg
__________________
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...dto640x480.jpg
Rolling down the highway on two wheels since 1957...
Owner Red/White 1971 XLCH & 2003 FXDL-Silver over Black
http://area51.tzo.com/bperry/gallery
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-10-2007, 07:59 PM
bdavis's Avatar
bdavis bdavis is offline
Road Captain
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location:
Posts: 671
Default RE: Breather Tube?

Quote:
I am almost certain that the 1972 XL had no vent on the transmission. This came later around 1976-1977. Do you have a leak around the countershaft? Thats the main sprocket, righthand side. There is a seal behind the sprocket and that could be leaking. It would leave an oil trail though if it were leaking..........pg
You're probably right. I cannot find anything and I think I've done a fairly thorough job of looking.. I will try to get a look at that seal tomorrow. The frustrating thing is that my rear tire keeps getting pretty soaked and I can't really ride it that way for any distance.
__________________
2007 Street Glide
2003 Z1000
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-10-2007, 08:56 PM
piniongear's Avatar
piniongear piniongear is offline
Road Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 1,788
Default RE: Breather Tube?

Is the oil on both sides of the tire, or only on one side? If one, which side. If the right, then I suspect the countershaft seal.
If the left,there is not a whole lot of places a leak can occur.
1) There is a seal around the kick start shaft (if you have k/s) where it enters the primary.
2) If you have an electric starter there is one gasket around the plunger.
I have posted a pic of that countershaft seal. You will need #5 and #6, the seal with housing and the gasket respectfully.
You may also want to pick up a washer for the countershaft nut to make sure you have an ear to bend over as a lock..........pg


[IMG]local://upfiles/8331/E57B582F447240C7AC451A9E4E412D22.jpg[/IMG]
__________________
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...dto640x480.jpg
Rolling down the highway on two wheels since 1957...
Owner Red/White 1971 XLCH & 2003 FXDL-Silver over Black
http://area51.tzo.com/bperry/gallery
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-10-2007, 09:23 PM
bdavis's Avatar
bdavis bdavis is offline
Road Captain
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location:
Posts: 671
Default RE: Breather Tube?

It is on the right side. I have both electric and kickstart.

Barry
__________________
2007 Street Glide
2003 Z1000
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-10-2007, 09:30 PM
67xlch 67xlch is offline
Hang Around
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location:
Posts: 76
Default RE: Breather Tube?

Did The 72 year model have a chain oiler that feeds from the oil tank?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-10-2007, 09:34 PM
piniongear's Avatar
piniongear piniongear is offline
Road Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 1,788
Default RE: Breather Tube?

Then check the shaft seal. Also, as 67XLCH mentioned, see if you have a chain oiler. This will sit atop the sprocket cover. There is a screw sticking out of the oiler body to regulate the drip of oil onto the chain. Simply screw this all the way in to shut off the flow.........pg
__________________
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...dto640x480.jpg
Rolling down the highway on two wheels since 1957...
Owner Red/White 1971 XLCH & 2003 FXDL-Silver over Black
http://area51.tzo.com/bperry/gallery
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-10-2007, 11:38 PM
bdavis's Avatar
bdavis bdavis is offline
Road Captain
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location:
Posts: 671
Default RE: Breather Tube?

Quote:
There is a screw sticking out of the oiler body to regulate the drip of oil onto the chain. Simply screw this all the way in to shut off the flow
I found a bolt sticking out withwhat looked like a rubber washer under it about an inch or so in from the sprocket cover. From my Clymer manual (I have a HD one, but can't find it at the moment) it looks like that is the oiler screw. I've tightened it all the way, but won't have a chance to check to see if that is the problem until tomorrow. I had to remove the exhaust pipe to get to it. Does that sound like what you are describing?
__________________
2007 Street Glide
2003 Z1000
Reply With Quote
Reply



Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Advertising

Featured Sponsors




New Sponsors
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:13 PM.

© Internet Brands, Inc.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.