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Dyna Glide ModelsSuper Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
Installed new handle bars in my garage a few months ago, only cables that needed to be replace was Brake and Clutch. The dealer did those.
After 1k service I noticed a couple of oil drops, took it back to the shop and they cleaned it up, didn't see anything wrong.
Noticed the leak again, followed the trail and ended up noticing the drop forming on the clutch hose. I can feel a little dent with my finger.
I believe the cable is too tight and it was just a matter of time.
Had this happened to anyone? Is it safe to ride? It has leaked just a few drops.
It's been under a year since the dealer installed them, hopefully they'll take care of it.
I'm not even sure that cable is supposed to have oil. I'm working with very limited knowledge and skills here.
There is no fluid in your clutch cable. Look above the cable for your leak.
Im thinking the cable goes into the transmission side cover! Im thinking theres fluid in my transmission. The inner cable is steel strands, which would allow oil to wick through. If the plastic cover over the cable has a hole that fluid could be in there?
I’m thinking the cable goes into the transmission side cover! I’m thinking there’s fluid in my transmission. The inner cable is steel strands, which would allow oil to wick through. If the plastic cover over the cable has a hole that fluid could be in there?
Yes there's an o-ring on the end of the cable where it inserts into the trans end cover. That o-ring prevents oil from leaking AROUND the cable where it's connected; not UP the cable thru the hole. You'd have to seriously overfill the trans and plug the vent to get trans fluid to travel into the end of that cable.
I'm trying to save this fellow some worry and time. If it were me, I'd look at the oil filter, oil cooler/lines (if equipped) or stator wires at the primary. Unless the OP flooded the cable with lube upon install I'm not liking the cable "with a dent" to be the culprit.
Last edited by Campy Roadie; Jan 3, 2018 at 06:11 AM.
Dealer did the 1k service? It's contaminated engine oil drooling out from around the front isolator. When they pulled the old oil filter they saturated the isolator and didn't clean it up.
Try cleaning/degreasing the front isolator and see if the problem continues. Note, contaminated engine oil degrades the rubber of the isolator causing premature failure...
I dont have a Dyna. Picture is hard for me to make out. Is that the motor mount? Is the cable lower than the motor mount? Does the cable leave the transmission and go lower than the transmission?
I dont have a Dyna. Picture is hard for me to make out. Is that the motor mount? Is the cable lower than the motor mount? Does the cable leave the transmission and go lower than the transmission?
This is an old image of my Wide Glide, from back when I was silly enough to use OEM isolators; and that's the second isolator, the first failed very early on, 600 miles on the ODO. A Predator front mount and an oil filter relocation for the win on my Wide Glide
The clutch cable on the Dyna routes past and under the front isolator. JuanderBoy's front mount is oil saturated and the oil is weeping out and on to the clutch cable; a poor oil filter removal service. The front isolator will trap the contaminated oil and this will lead to the rubber degrading and the beginnings of the next dreaded 'dyna vibration' thread.
Nomadmax and TinCup sound right on... The other thing that I've experienced is water getting into the outer sheath on my clutch cable (but not into the cable itself). It makes the cable appear to be soaked under the engine, and it looks oily since it mixes with whatever grime is under there. I first thought it was oil leaking from somewhere above the cable, until I squeezed the cable under the engine and watched water come out of the end (of the sheath, not the actual cable). I'll be replacing the cable assembly before long anyway, so it's no big deal...
Thank you all for the help. It makes sense that the oil is coming from isolator. I cleaned the cable and the damage seems to be superficial. Besides, the oil is very dark.
The cable is very tight though, I'm going to the dealer and try to get them to fix that, hopefully with a new and longer cable.
Thanks again!
not to muddy the water and i still cant prove it but, i'm pretty sure a busted clutch cable let out my sportster primary fluid.
there's no other explanation for it disappearing.
Originally Posted by cvaria
[...]
That was all that came out!!!! a tablespoon of fluid! wtf!
cause... braided line was sliced open by debris... i think.. can't prove it may just go back to stock clutch cables if the new braided one fails as spectacularly as the one that's being removed.
[...]
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Pierced clutch cable, leaking!
It's contaminated engine oil drooling out from around the front isolator. When they pulled the old oil filter they saturated the isolator and didn't clean it up.
