I own a 96 HD EVO ELECTRA GLIDE, both lower JUG gaskets leak so I tore the top end down to fix the leak and see what the inside guts are of this girl (since I don't know, bought it 6 months ago). FLAT TOP PISTONS say +00.005.
I plan to do the Hayden "The Oil Fix" and a Cometic gasket and hopefully that will do it (cross my fingers). I know I am risking it and gambling by not resurfacing the bottom of the jugs like some guys on the forum say......I left the piston in the cylinder so I don't have to re-ring it.

The First sleeve/jug looks perfect inside however the second one has some anomalies/irregular marks.....not deep enough where my fingernails can feel it but enough to be seen.....should I redo the pistons and have it re-bored out? Here are two pics of each side of the 1 problematic piston sleeve where the marks are. Yeah or Nay.....million dollar question, spend the money and redo the sleeves and pistons or put it back in the girl as is.....Any advice is appreciated....thanks in advance.

Also nice to meet y'all, I am from So-Cal and look forward to putting my 2 cents into the HD community. Cheers!

 

First welcome to the forum.
Second you don't need the Hayden oil fix if you use the metal gaskets.
Third stock size is 10 thousandths for the base gasket.

To put in in perspective I had a friend who had his motor rebuilt by an indy and it seeped from day one.
5 years later he blew a head gasket so him and I did a top end rebuild using cometic metal gaskets. (10 thou base and 30 thou head)
No more seeps.

 

UPDATE.....
The First sleeve/jug looks perfect inside however the second one has some anomalies/irregular marks scratches.....not deep enough where my fingernails can feel it but enough to be seen.....Million dollar question, Yay or Nay....should I spend the mule and redo the pistons and have it re-bored out? I was trying to avoid that cost since it ran so good before I tore it down and the only issue was the oil leak. Here are two pics of each side of the piston where the marks are.
ALSO, TEXASHILLCOUNTRY thanks for the welcoming and the info.

 

If the cylinder measures up okay have it plateau honed & put a new set of rings in it.

 

I would definitely be pulling those pistons and having a good look at the rings and skirts. The issue may not be the markings so mush as WHAT CAUSED the markings.

 

Digital cameras can bring out the worst in photos, you said you can't feel the scratches with your finger nail but it looks like it needs attention. Personally wouldn't put it together like that. Hone to clean it up and check the bore size, if ok, new rings and never worry about "what if"

Check your lateral play of the rods to make sure you don't have a lower bearing going bad for peace of mind, the lower bearings will mark up cylinders on the outer side because of extra force applied in rotation.

 

As mentioned I think knowing the cause would be the best idea.

Honing could very well be worth a try, just have to try it to see.

WP