New bike, new leak............
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Central, TX
New bike, new leak............
I am new to the forum and new to my wide glide my father left me. After putting new tires on I rode the bike home 30 miles and parked it. After a couple of hours I had a good size puddle under it. Took it to a local mech and he put new seals in the primary and when I got it home it still leaked but slower. Took it back and it sits there. On the ride back there seems to be a seep from the lower cylinders now.
The bike has 15k on it and I expect some things to break loose but I have had it a couple of weeks and am already $1500 into repairs and its not letting up. What else do I need to look out for to get it up and riding? Sorry for such a broad question but I feel I am in for a long repair.
The bike has 15k on it and I expect some things to break loose but I have had it a couple of weeks and am already $1500 into repairs and its not letting up. What else do I need to look out for to get it up and riding? Sorry for such a broad question but I feel I am in for a long repair.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
If it is a 93 and leaking from the bottom of the cylinders then you have to replace those base gaskets. If you are using synthetic oil then switch back to HD360 dino. If the bike has sat for a long time the gaskets could be dried out. Gasket technology has change a lot since 93.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 82
From: nj
If the bike has been sitting for a while the gaskets do dry out What I would do is let the bike warm up before you take off the evo motors are known for gaskets leaking ride the bike around and take it easy for now untill she gets worn in then the gaskets might swell up again and stop leaking. now for the jugs like I said you have to let the motor warm up before take off the motor is aluminium and she has to expand slowly good luck
+1 on the seals maybe swellling back up. Just setting a few months should not cause this. So I assume maybe a few years. Talk to someone who knows how to deal with a bike that has been setting a long time. Check your tires for damage and dry rot also, don't want to get the leaks fixed and then blow a tire.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,074
Likes: 12
From:
Best you can do is put a few hundred on it monitor fluids stay close to home and see if the gaskets and seals will start to seal back up if not its going to be a tare down
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 154
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From: Central, TX
Thanks for all the quick advice. My dad bought the bike a few years back with only 12k on it. Original everything down to the tires. Apparently the previous owner has quite a few bikes and he got this because of it being an anniversary model. My dad only put 3k on it before he got sick and I had been going back home and riding it monthly only putting 50 - 100 miles on it at a time. NO leaks ever. Bring to bike to Texas, put new tires on it and ride it home and the trans leaks out on my garage floor. When the mechanic got into it he said the main shaft seal was out and just sitting on the shaft. Replaced, that along with all seals that were removed and still have a small leak. Did the brake cleaner thing and when I took it back to him the rear cylinder is now pushing out oil where it meets the case.
I am wondering if the Texas heat is playing a role in this at all. I have picked up a Jagg six row to put on but haven't had it at the house long enough to install. I was thinking about switching to synthetic but may wait till I get it sealed back up. I have some mechanical knowledge but am more familiar with Saab's and do not want to go tearing into a bike right away. I planned on starting small like changing out lights, shocks, and maybe a seat. I at least wanted to change the oil before I attempted to get into a primary...............
I am wondering if the Texas heat is playing a role in this at all. I have picked up a Jagg six row to put on but haven't had it at the house long enough to install. I was thinking about switching to synthetic but may wait till I get it sealed back up. I have some mechanical knowledge but am more familiar with Saab's and do not want to go tearing into a bike right away. I planned on starting small like changing out lights, shocks, and maybe a seat. I at least wanted to change the oil before I attempted to get into a primary...............
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 2
From: Deltona, FL
It would probably be best to do a top end rebuild. It's not that hard on an Evo, and if you're a mechanic type of person you can do it easily at home. The bike may only have 15,000 miles on it, but it is also 16 years old. And like you said, the Texas heat may have been a factor and the torque on the cylinder/head bolts may have broken, thus allowing the base gasket to leak.
Personally, I'd rebuild it. You've already had the main shaft seal and primary seals replaced, so top end is next. Jims has a nice gasket set with all the needed stuff. I did one on my 88 FXRS while it sat on the jiffy stand in my garage. Get a book if you don't already have one.
Personally, I'd rebuild it. You've already had the main shaft seal and primary seals replaced, so top end is next. Jims has a nice gasket set with all the needed stuff. I did one on my 88 FXRS while it sat on the jiffy stand in my garage. Get a book if you don't already have one.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Central, TX
Made a call to Cometic and gave them my credit card and said send me seal kits. Figured I might as well have them on hand and ready to go. The guys there were very helpful and took a lot of time to help me out. I can see why everyone speaks so highly of them. If the product is half as good as the service I think I'll be in for some good long riding..........
BTW, when doing the top end do you replace the head bolts while you are there just to be safe or reuse your current ones?
BTW, when doing the top end do you replace the head bolts while you are there just to be safe or reuse your current ones?
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