Primary leaking
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 100
Likes: 40
From: merrillville, in
Primary leaking
I got a 18 sport glide and just did 5k service. Primary didnt leak overnight on jiffy stand but now leaking a little on way to work this morning. Not bad, put little spot after about half hour and oily on primary case Didnt change and did try to reuse gasket because dealer sold me wrong one. Would I screw anything up majorly running the 20 miles back home. Cant really check it at work.
Last edited by Jeremy Belko; Jun 14, 2019 at 07:40 AM. Reason: Adding
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, AL
Since there is no "dipstick" for the primary the only way to know the oil level is by servicing it with the correct amount. Do you have a proper torque wrench? Do you have a service manual? Do you tighten the screws using the proper sequence and values? I have reused gaskets if an inspection of it is OK. Reference your question can you make it home? Probably but only you know if it leaked an excessive amount.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 100
Likes: 40
From: merrillville, in
Since there is no "dipstick" for the primary the only way to know the oil level is by servicing it with the correct amount. Do you have a proper torque wrench? Do you have a service manual? Do you tighten the screws using the proper sequence and values? I have reused gaskets if an inspection of it is OK. Reference your question can you make it home? Probably but only you know if it leaked an excessive amount.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, AL
While not the best tools, I got 3 torque wrenches from Harbor Freight. 1/4", 3/8" 1/2" which cover the ranges of torque I need. Glad you noticed that it is inch pounds not foot pounds. 40 inch pounds is more of a snugging in real life.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
Snugging is a good way to put it. Without a tq wrench it’s basically seated, then about 1/16th - 1/8th turn with a screw driver. If oil on the stick looks good I’d suggest you’re ok to drive home. Leaks used to be much more common, and seldom were the death of any bike as long as the filler hole was used correctly.
time was if it didn’t leak you might have a problem.
time was if it didn’t leak you might have a problem.
Last edited by Thingfish; Jun 14, 2019 at 08:51 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 965
Likes: 297
From: NoVa
The HF 1/4" is totally useless.
This Tekton 1/4" torque wrench is very good for the money. It's what I use on my carbon street bicycle:
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 574
Likes: 263
From: Spokane, WA
If it were my bike I would ride it home and check it there. If your primary oil had all dumped out your back tire would show evidence of oil leakage. Things to watch for on the ride home are clutch action and noise from the primary chain and the compensator sprocket.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 100
Likes: 40
From: merrillville, in
Going to work, thought I smelled something burning going over expressway, but when about a mile from the late (I drive semi locally) I smelled it again so probably not the bike. I have the wrong gasket the dealer sold me and will exchange it later, in car and will probably dump primary and trans oil anyway now. If I get the right load, the dealer isnt far from one customer we deliver to on occasion. On way to work, when bike was cold, neutral was a little difficult to find but as warmed up, it slipped right in. Clutch seemed normal, still more free play than Id like personally but with new clutch cable, I guess that cant be changed.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,032
Likes: 12,557
From: South Carolina
You don`t need a dipstick to check fluid level in the primary drive....
The proper level for primary lube is just touching the outside diameter of the clutch shell when bike is upright.
OP: you will be fine riding it home, just check the level and replace the gasket.
Primary Lube Level, this level is correct for all big twins since mid `84.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Jun 14, 2019 at 12:34 PM.