My '88 FLHTC (Electraglide) recently developed a new oil leak.
About the same time, finding "neutral" became more difficult than usual.

The engine oil level remains constant and the transmission fluid remains constant.

I pulled the darby cover to inspect the Primary fluid level and found it had about 3/4 of a quart MORE fluid than what is called for!!!

I've not recently added any Primary fluid and again, the engine oil and transmission fluid levels remain constant.

Where did the excess come from???

 

Probably the motor. It's not uncommon for the crank seal to leak and need replacing

 

Yeah, two potential issues. 1. Crank seal. 2. Crack in the case around the crank bearing/seal. Let's hope it's the first one, but inspect closely.

 

So, the tranny fluid would not affect your primary fluid situation. What may occur is what is stated above.
What I would do is drain the primary (not just inspect it through the cover), then refill (not how much) and ride for the specified time or mileage (couple of hundred), and then drain and re-measure. This will definitely let you know if you have oil coming over from the engine.

On a 1988, your engine main seal probably needs to be changed, if you haven't do so. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the comments.
I appreciate your experience an insight.

My confusion results from the fact that as the Primary fluid volume increased, the engine oil and transmission fluid volumes remained constant.

Yes, i understand that the transmission fluid will not likely affect the Primary fluid volume and the increased Primary fluid volume is likely engine oil... but how can Primary fluid volume increase while the other volumes remains constant!!!???

As one increases another SHOULD decrease!

 

Simple. They aren't remaining constant. It's harder to notice engine oil disappear than it is to notice extra fluid in your primary

 

There is a very simple answer to that question...

It can not.

The excess lube is coming from either the engine or transmission, or you are over servicing. A motorcycle cannot manufacture oil.

 

Simple. They aren't remaining constant. It's harder to notice engine oil disappear than it is to notice extra fluid in your primary

 

If the crank seal is leaking, it will only pull fluid out of the primary into the engine. I'll spare y'all the long story as to how I know that, but will say - it's a long ride from Seattle to Charlotte using a turkey baster and 7/16" wrench at every fuel stop...

There's only 2 ways for that to happen. A missing "screw" from the rotor connector clamp (red circle) or most often, the bearing sleeve is loose in the engine case usually causing a crack that's sometimes near impossible to see. (yellow arrow). Again, and even if it's totally shot, the seal will NOT let enough engine oil into the primary that you could ever measure.




Verify you're actually "making" primary fluid is the first thing to do before you panic. And yes, you won't notice much, if any engine oil missing until the primary is way overfull, if it's the bike fault. Let's hope your overfull issue was just a fluke mistake from the last engine service.