How Do I Fix This?
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
He will have 90% of the work done anyway so why not just go that extra 10%?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,132
Likes: 12,692
From: South Carolina
I`m not a big fan of the "while you are in there", unless it is to do preventative maintenance.
If you do pull the cylinders, have your machinist clean them up with a ball hone, and have him true the bases in his lathe.
New gaskets (Cometic, James, Harley all good) and back together.
But if it is not dripping, leave it until winter...
If you do pull the cylinders, have your machinist clean them up with a ball hone, and have him true the bases in his lathe.
New gaskets (Cometic, James, Harley all good) and back together.
But if it is not dripping, leave it until winter...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
If you've got rocker box leaks let us know. Get it out at 70 mph and run it for a few (10 or so) miles. Check for leaks. Report back. You need to let it warm up a bit before beating on it. Cylinder base gaskets are a typical HD repair job where ya gotta pull off a lot of good parts to get to the bad ones.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,528
Likes: 6,407
From: Honah Lee
4 years since retiring and it works great...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
I suspect a leaking stator plug. I have a saying: "show me an Evo motor, and I'll show you a leaking stator plug."
FWIW, the stator plug design was inherited from the Shovelhead, which ran a "dry" clutch with just a drip feed to oil the primary chain. It was never meant to live in a "wet" primary and keep all that oil inside. The motor company has redesigned the plug at least three times and each one leaks worse than the one before it.
What I'd do is clean up all that crud around the motor then sprinkle talc on that area and go for a ride. Watch where the oil appears first. Remember, wind can move oil to places you'd never imagine. I was convinced I had an oil leak between the cases a couple of years back because the rear motor mount, behind the motor, was soaked with oil. Turned out the oil was coming from a leaking fork seal!
FWIW, the stator plug design was inherited from the Shovelhead, which ran a "dry" clutch with just a drip feed to oil the primary chain. It was never meant to live in a "wet" primary and keep all that oil inside. The motor company has redesigned the plug at least three times and each one leaks worse than the one before it.
What I'd do is clean up all that crud around the motor then sprinkle talc on that area and go for a ride. Watch where the oil appears first. Remember, wind can move oil to places you'd never imagine. I was convinced I had an oil leak between the cases a couple of years back because the rear motor mount, behind the motor, was soaked with oil. Turned out the oil was coming from a leaking fork seal!