Leaking Primary?? HELP!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 97
From: Northern VA
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?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,384
Likes: 12
From: Out on Deranged
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?
So you have mid controls? In that case the shifter goes through the primary with 2 seals and finally into the tranny with one seal.
If you had forward controls there would only be one seal going into the tranny, but one coming from the mainshaft going into the primary case, that one is a pita because you have to remove the outer primary, clutch basket, and inner primary,to get at it. you should get a manual before tackling this job unless you have it already!
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 290
Likes: 2
From: wayland ny
My primary was leaking as well a couple years ago. It would only leak after riding it. If I wiped it off and let the bike sit for a couple days no leak. It ended up being the inner seal on the primary For the drive shaft that has the clutch and drive sprocket on it.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 266
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta
Wow, lots of good replies and info so thanks guys! I will wiper her down, go for a ride, and then get some pictures this weekend at some point. Ill post them as soon as I can long as it doesnt rain this weekend.
thanks again!
thanks again!
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,621
From: along the shore of Mishigami
If you have access to UV oil dye, put about an ounce or two in the primary, Clean the case real good. Go for a lengthy ride, put a piece of cardboard under the "leak" area. Then look at the oil drop with a black light if it glows it's primary oil, if not it's trans oil. Works every time, that's how we traced oil leaks on car engines.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 266
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta
Got some pics and cleaned it up after these pics. Will post once I can ride, it's raining but can yall see anything from this? Looks like maybe the gasket given the residue between the cases.....?? I dunno...
Drips off the back of one of the screws of the primary case.
Drips off the back of one of the screws of the primary case.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,515
Likes: 887
From: Upstate New York
That is one crazy way to get a picture of the underside. Were you worried about it tipping as you were taking the photos?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
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From: Detroit
It was worth reading the thread just to see that photo. Very creative. 
Another thing I do for access sometimes is lay the bike down on a blanket on the grass. Left side.
Looks like an inner primary gasket, just a little weep. Me, I'd probably just wipe it from time to time until it got a lot worse, or needed to be taken apart for some other reason.
Another thing I do for access sometimes is lay the bike down on a blanket on the grass. Left side.
Looks like an inner primary gasket, just a little weep. Me, I'd probably just wipe it from time to time until it got a lot worse, or needed to be taken apart for some other reason.