EVO All Evo Model Discussion

Primary leak

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 16, 2010 | 07:16 AM
  #11  
Hackd's Avatar
Hackd
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
Default

Do as Dr. Hess posted. Just because it's dripping in the area of the primary drain plug is no assurance that's the problem area. It's not unusual for the transmission drive pulley to loosen and cause the output shaft seal to leak. You need to get under the bike and look behind the pulley to see if that's leaking. Or if anything else is.
 
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2010 | 05:32 PM
  #12  
EVOrider's Avatar
EVOrider
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
Default

This is why I like using three different distinctive fluids for the bike. I use ATF in the primary, gear oil in the transmission, and regular motor oil in the engine. If I have a leak...I know for sure what is leaking.
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2010 | 11:44 AM
  #13  
AlgorNick's Avatar
AlgorNick
Cruiser
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 125
Likes: 14
From: Bentonville, AR
Default

You can easy check the source of leaking with a flashlight and a mirror. Just put it underneath an engine and you will see what's going on there. Also check tranny breathing tube.
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 06:12 PM
  #14  
TurkeyRun's Avatar
TurkeyRun
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 54
From: Somewhere in NorCal
Default

OK so, not problem solved, but I think I found the source of the leak.

When I got back home, I reached up behind the primary, and there is oil all over back there. I'm thinking now it is that oil seal on the inner primary.

I have the service manual, is this something I should try myself or take to my indy?
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 06:27 PM
  #15  
hatchetman's Avatar
hatchetman
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 8
From: Vancouver Island British Colombia Canada
Default

Well.... This all depends on your level of wrenching ability. It goes something like this.
Drain your primary oil. Remove your shifter & anything else that is going to be in your way.
un boly your outer primary keeping the bolts in order & gently remove. Try not to tear your gasket, Their $30!
Now you have to crack loose the compensator on the crank shaft & the left hand thread nut on your clutch pack. I use a block of wood to jam the gear teeth so the drive line cant turn while Im doing this.
Now remove the clutch basket & compensator with chain.
Un hook your starter nose clip & begin un doing the bolts inside the case. Their might be one bolt that you need to get from the other side of the bike at the bottom. Than gently pull your inner primary.
Thats an example, Im not quoting from a book & Im stoned on pain meds because some dink smashed into my truck with his yesterday!
Good luck!
Hatch.
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 06:32 PM
  #16  
TurkeyRun's Avatar
TurkeyRun
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 54
From: Somewhere in NorCal
Default

some dink smashed into my truck with his yesterday!
Well, at least it was your truck!

Thanks, I'll think I'll let someone else go after this one for me.

While I've got all that opened up, is there an upgrade opportunity here? Clutch, compensator? Or leave well enough alone?
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 06:36 PM
  #17  
Mike T's Avatar
Mike T
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,486
Likes: 6
From: Union,Ms
Default

Originally Posted by TurkeyRun
Well, at least it was your truck!

Thanks, I'll think I'll let someone else go after this one for me.

While I've got all that opened up, is there an upgrade opportunity here? Clutch, compensator? Or leave well enough alone?
Everything in there is pretty much bullet-proof.Leave it alone.
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 06:42 PM
  #18  
hatchetman's Avatar
hatchetman
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 8
From: Vancouver Island British Colombia Canada
Default

Just make sure you replace the seal @ the starter. There is a bearing in there, Have a look at it. Than the big *** "O" ring around your stator which might be where your leak is.
Clutches can be swapped out without removing the inner. It's an easy go!
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
giangofett
Sportster Models
15
Feb 24, 2018 12:56 PM
JONNIEROCK
General Harley Davidson Chat
4
Apr 18, 2016 04:14 PM
fatkidfrank
Oil Archive (no new posts)
5
Aug 9, 2012 03:05 PM
WildBillAce2
Dyna Glide Models
11
May 14, 2009 03:37 PM
oldroadie
EVO
16
Sep 15, 2008 11:14 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:46 AM.

story-0
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-3
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-4
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE