Leaking Primary?? HELP!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,129
Likes: 12,690
From: South Carolina
Gray oil on the ground can also indicate oil flowing over dirty engine and transmission parts.
This is oil that has run out of the trans or engine and gone to the ground, not oil on a dipstick.
This is oil that has run out of the trans or engine and gone to the ground, not oil on a dipstick.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 266
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta
UPDATE Guys - Ill try an be moer thorough here and again thanks for the help!
1. I recently changed engine oil (old stuff was black like it should be, not gray, and checked it after my long ride, still looks like new engine oil. So to me, this would rule out that it would be this.
2. Recently Changed Trans to the Pepto colored Heavy Duty ShockProof or whatever it was called - so I am assuming this rules it out as well.
3. I checked my primary fluid level the other day to make sure it was fine, which it was, and resembled this color which makes me believe it is primary fluid.
4. Bike has never been in the rain and thus no potential for water to be in it minus washing, which I have only done with water once and teh rest with rags and Pledge.
I hope this helps....
1. I recently changed engine oil (old stuff was black like it should be, not gray, and checked it after my long ride, still looks like new engine oil. So to me, this would rule out that it would be this.
2. Recently Changed Trans to the Pepto colored Heavy Duty ShockProof or whatever it was called - so I am assuming this rules it out as well.
3. I checked my primary fluid level the other day to make sure it was fine, which it was, and resembled this color which makes me believe it is primary fluid.
4. Bike has never been in the rain and thus no potential for water to be in it minus washing, which I have only done with water once and teh rest with rags and Pledge.
I hope this helps....
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 97
From: Northern VA
Sounds like a lot of unknown then. Degrease the entire area and next time it does it, put it on a lift and get under there with a mirror (GearWrench makes a good one for this: http://www.gearwrench.com/hot-deals/...on-mirror.html)
or a good flashlight, etc. If you can, take pics. It could be the primary, or it could be old transmission fluid. When I tore my transmission down there was a substantial amount of the old brown fluid even though I have had Spectro Platinum in there since my 1k service.
or a good flashlight, etc. If you can, take pics. It could be the primary, or it could be old transmission fluid. When I tore my transmission down there was a substantial amount of the old brown fluid even though I have had Spectro Platinum in there since my 1k service.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 436
Likes: 3
From: Norway
I'm sure you have checked, but are you sure it's oil?
If its just gray fluid on your concrete floor it could be fuel. What you're describing is about the same place as the overfill-line from the fueltank is coming out...
I had a good scare the other day. Filled up the tank before going back home, braked kind of hard in my driveway when pulling up. Guess the hard stop on a very full tank threw some gas out that line... So there was a small pond under my bike. Heartrate went skyhigh for a couple of seconds there hehe...
But I'm sure you already checked the fluid
If its just gray fluid on your concrete floor it could be fuel. What you're describing is about the same place as the overfill-line from the fueltank is coming out...
I had a good scare the other day. Filled up the tank before going back home, braked kind of hard in my driveway when pulling up. Guess the hard stop on a very full tank threw some gas out that line... So there was a small pond under my bike. Heartrate went skyhigh for a couple of seconds there hehe...
But I'm sure you already checked the fluid
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,621
From: along the shore of Mishigami
If the shift shaft seal is weeping, oil will migrate down to the bottom of the primary case along the inner/outer gasket. On the left side of the bike, follow the shift linkage down to the shaft that goes in the transmission. Use a strong flashlight and a small inspection mirror and checkout that shaft for oil. Been there twice, the second time the shift pawl was changed out due to some burrs on the shaft. $$$
Last edited by seniorsuperglideE8; May 28, 2014 at 07:22 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,384
Likes: 12
From: Out on Deranged
Do as others have already said and just clean it up before heart attacks ensue. We are talking about one drop on a long trip after all. Yes the primary fluid can come out looking gray that is natural wear coming from the clutch plates. This is especially true in the case where the rider often pushes his bike to the limit with a new bike. But yours looks new so I would have it done under warranty..
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 266
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta
Thanks! I'll do some checking tomorrow. Bike is a 2005 and I ride at least every other day. Also, tank is near empty so I doubt it was fuel. I'll try and get some pics tomorrow but thanks for any suggestions. Shift shaft seal sounds promising. Which fluid would leak from there? Primary fluid?
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