Four Speed Trans
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Yes, breather tube is right side of bike (non-drive side). It's definitely tranny, when I say puking I could say pouring, only while leaning on the jiffy stand though. When upright on my lift is barely drips. Oil level and primary level have not changed.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 464
The 4 speeds are know to leak. I just bought a mainshaft spacer with an o-ring machined in it ebay. The guy that makes them has some videos on youtube.
google harley 4 speed leak fix and you should find it.
I bought it for my shovelhead, but haven't installed it yet.
google harley 4 speed leak fix and you should find it.
I bought it for my shovelhead, but haven't installed it yet.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Yep that's the route I'm going. I'm needing information on the OD of the mainshaft, what other seals, gaskets I may run into that I should replace once I have things opened up?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,198
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
It's a fairly straight forward job swapping out the main shaft seals. Pull the outer primary, clutch (you'll need a clutch puller tool for that), inner primary, drill a hole in the old big seal, screw a dent puller in, pull the seal out, dig out the little inner seal, put it back together.
I had a sprocket nut that had a seal built into it as well for extra measure, back in Shovelhead Daze.
I had a sprocket nut that had a seal built into it as well for extra measure, back in Shovelhead Daze.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 610
From: USA
Also upon further VIN decoding I can add some infor to this conversation:
--1HD1BH tells me it a Heavyweight basic Softail manufactured in the US.
--L tells me it's a 1340 EVO
--19 is confusing but the 1 seems to indicate it's a normal introduction year domestic (what's the 9?).
F indicates she's is a 1985
Y = York, PA
Should also note the VIN decoder on this site could not find anything (what's that 9 after the introduction year number?
--1HD1BH tells me it a Heavyweight basic Softail manufactured in the US.
--L tells me it's a 1340 EVO
--19 is confusing but the 1 seems to indicate it's a normal introduction year domestic (what's the 9?).
F indicates she's is a 1985
Y = York, PA
Should also note the VIN decoder on this site could not find anything (what's that 9 after the introduction year number?
The 17 digit VIN has a number that was know as a "Check Digit". It's used to validate the VIN some how. Maybe the "9" is the check digit in your YIN?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
First year Softails were 4 speed, like yours, but they weren't offered in "Heritage" trim until '86. Yours was modified to "Heritage Softail" configuration after it was built. I see lots of aftermarket parts in that conversion.
Nice looking ride, by the way.
Nice looking ride, by the way.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,198
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
Pipes, grips, controls. Not sure about those mirrors. Ignition cover, probably the chrome nose cone. Those handlebars look chrome and not stainless, so those too if that's the case.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
It's a fairly straight forward job swapping out the main shaft seals. Pull the outer primary, clutch (you'll need a clutch puller tool for that), inner primary, drill a hole in the old big seal, screw a dent puller in, pull the seal out, dig out the little inner seal, put it back together.
I had a sprocket nut that had a seal built into it as well for extra measure, back in Shovelhead Daze.
I had a sprocket nut that had a seal built into it as well for extra measure, back in Shovelhead Daze.
The problem is the seal is rarely the problem...just replacing the seal is a short term fix. The brass bushing on the mainshaft is almost certainly worn...and if you don't replace it...any "fix" from a new seal will be short lived.
http://shovelhead.us/pics/sheets/leakingtranny.pdf
Tourer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 263
Likes: 25
From: MN
On my 85 low Rider there is a vent hole in the rotary top of the tranny. Very small. Make sure you clean it out when you do any work to the tranny. Paper clip works well. I'll try to get out tomorrow and get the location of the hole for you. 
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