Stupid question about primary cover
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 139
Likes: 1
Stupid question about primary cover
I have a 2011 fat bob and want to put a decorative primary cover on it. Can I just remove the cover and put the new one on, or will oil or something spill out?
thanks
thanks
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 3
From: Clarksburg, PA
If you stand the bike straight up it shouldn't leak.
To make sure, I would lean it a little towards the pipe side. Make sure you have extra bolts...the ones on that cover are none to be a pain!
To make sure, I would lean it a little towards the pipe side. Make sure you have extra bolts...the ones on that cover are none to be a pain!
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 902
Likes: 3
From: Cincinnati, OH
Are you just doing a derby cover or the whole primary cover? The derby will come off without oil leaking out from behind it but the whole outer primary cover will most likely release the primary oil when it is removed. Just drain the primary oil, take the cover off, replace the gasket and reinstall the primary cover. Really easy...
I did my 2011 Fat Bob. Easy, the shop told me to have somebody stand it upright actually so it wouldn't leak...not sure about the advice above to lean it more.
All I did was get a gasket, a cover and have my wife straddle it and stand it up. Took off the old one, wiped a minimal amount of oil up (like a few drops), put the gasket in the new cover and put it on. No problems. Just make sure you put the gasket facing the right way, it matters.
I say go for it, no need to wait 1000 miles for the first service, its the easiest mod I did.
All I did was get a gasket, a cover and have my wife straddle it and stand it up. Took off the old one, wiped a minimal amount of oil up (like a few drops), put the gasket in the new cover and put it on. No problems. Just make sure you put the gasket facing the right way, it matters.
I say go for it, no need to wait 1000 miles for the first service, its the easiest mod I did.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 148
From: Northwest
... and you don't really need a new gasket on that new of a bike. I have removed and reinstalled my derby cover about 3 times now, without replacing the rubber gasket/o-ring inside... no problems. I do have one, in case this one starts leaking for some reason... just stand the bike straight up, you'll have no problems. Oh.. and I replaced the bolts with polished stainless allen heads from Ace... much nicer to deal with than stock.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 172
From: Clarksville, TN
... and you don't really need a new gasket on that new of a bike. I have removed and reinstalled my derby cover about 3 times now, without replacing the rubber gasket/o-ring inside... no problems. I do have one, in case this one starts leaking for some reason... just stand the bike straight up, you'll have no problems. Oh.. and I replaced the bolts with polished stainless allen heads from Ace... much nicer to deal with than stock.
He's wanting to put on a decorative cover. They all use the flat gasket not the big rubber O ring like the stock cover has.
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You really do need the gasket, the 2011 fat bob stock cover uses a built in gasket and the replacements don't have it so the dealer said there will be a problem without...for the price of the gasket its not worth not using it...
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 148
From: Northwest
Deftone... a "built in gasket"... really? .. got a pic of that?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 3
From: Clarksburg, PA
The stock one has on o-ting type gasket...the aftermarket one just uses the flat style.
I've reused my flat one when I did my oils and it doesn't leak.
If standing the bike straight up won't let oil leak, it only stands to reason that if it was leaning towards the pipes it wouldn't leak either, right Deftone5?
I just put mine on my lift, but you should look into the $20 bike lift...sems like it could be handy for you. I think I would like one for washing the bike:
http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/bikelift.htm
I've reused my flat one when I did my oils and it doesn't leak.
If standing the bike straight up won't let oil leak, it only stands to reason that if it was leaning towards the pipes it wouldn't leak either, right Deftone5?
I just put mine on my lift, but you should look into the $20 bike lift...sems like it could be handy for you. I think I would like one for washing the bike:
http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/bikelift.htm