base gaskets
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 104
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From: ca
base gaskets
i have a 2013 heritage and today I noticed about a half inch of seepage on both sides of the base gaskets.the bike only has 2600 miles on her.what would cause this?what should I do?and will it hurt to ride it or breaking in the motor? thanks
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: New England
Most likely during assembly, a bit too much oil got on the gasket (IIRC, an o-ring) and simply worked its way out.
Just keep an eye on it, clean with mild soapy water once in a while, and ride it. It may take quite some time for it to completely evaporate.
FWIW, this topic comes up fairly often so you should be able to find past threads on the issue.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: dutchess county,ny
If you're talking about the joint between the jug and block, it should not be a problem.
Most likely during assembly, a bit too much oil got on the gasket (IIRC, an o-ring) and simply worked its way out.
Just keep an eye on it, clean with mild soapy water once in a while, and ride it. It may take quite some time for it to completely evaporate.
FWIW, this topic comes up fairly often so you should be able to find past threads on the issue.
Most likely during assembly, a bit too much oil got on the gasket (IIRC, an o-ring) and simply worked its way out.
Just keep an eye on it, clean with mild soapy water once in a while, and ride it. It may take quite some time for it to completely evaporate.
FWIW, this topic comes up fairly often so you should be able to find past threads on the issue.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,217
Likes: 3,046
From: St.Louis Mo.
If you're talking about the joint between the jug and block, it should not be a problem.
Most likely during assembly, a bit too much oil got on the gasket (IIRC, an o-ring) and simply worked its way out.
Just keep an eye on it, clean with mild soapy water once in a while, and ride it. It may take quite some time for it to completely evaporate.
FWIW, this topic comes up fairly often so you should be able to find past threads on the issue.
Most likely during assembly, a bit too much oil got on the gasket (IIRC, an o-ring) and simply worked its way out.
Just keep an eye on it, clean with mild soapy water once in a while, and ride it. It may take quite some time for it to completely evaporate.
FWIW, this topic comes up fairly often so you should be able to find past threads on the issue.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 17
From: Rosamond, Cali
Clean it up real good, as suggested, and see if it's still seeping now...
I'd think after 2600 miles, all the seating should have been done, and all the 'lube' 'worked out' of the joint between the o-rings and the jugs/case. That's quite a few heat cycles. My thought is based on limited experience, though. (I built a TC88 some years ago using S&S cases, and for the first 100 miles or so, I got some seeping as you describe. But after that, the area was dry).
I've got a new 2014, and it has not seeped in this manner at all (that I'm able to discern).
The other guys are probably right, it's nothing…but if it's definitely still seeping, I'd take it by the dealer to at least make them aware of the issue, and to go down on the record for having notified them of the seepage.
Alan
I'd think after 2600 miles, all the seating should have been done, and all the 'lube' 'worked out' of the joint between the o-rings and the jugs/case. That's quite a few heat cycles. My thought is based on limited experience, though. (I built a TC88 some years ago using S&S cases, and for the first 100 miles or so, I got some seeping as you describe. But after that, the area was dry).
I've got a new 2014, and it has not seeped in this manner at all (that I'm able to discern).
The other guys are probably right, it's nothing…but if it's definitely still seeping, I'd take it by the dealer to at least make them aware of the issue, and to go down on the record for having notified them of the seepage.
Alan
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,466
Likes: 57,024
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Clean it up real good, as suggested, and see if it's still seeping now...
I'd think after 2600 miles, all the seating should have been done, and all the 'lube' 'worked out' of the joint between the o-rings and the jugs/case. That's quite a few heat cycles. My thought is based on limited experience, though. (I built a TC88 some years ago using S&S cases, and for the first 100 miles or so, I got some seeping as you describe. But after that, the area was dry).
I've got a new 2014, and it has not seeped in this manner at all (that I'm able to discern).
The other guys are probably right, it's nothing…but if it's definitely still seeping, I'd take it by the dealer to at least make them aware of the issue, and to go down on the record for having notified them of the seepage.
Alan
I'd think after 2600 miles, all the seating should have been done, and all the 'lube' 'worked out' of the joint between the o-rings and the jugs/case. That's quite a few heat cycles. My thought is based on limited experience, though. (I built a TC88 some years ago using S&S cases, and for the first 100 miles or so, I got some seeping as you describe. But after that, the area was dry).
I've got a new 2014, and it has not seeped in this manner at all (that I'm able to discern).
The other guys are probably right, it's nothing…but if it's definitely still seeping, I'd take it by the dealer to at least make them aware of the issue, and to go down on the record for having notified them of the seepage.
Alan
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From: Buffalo, NY
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From: SoCal
No base gaskets on your bike. O-rings. Mine weeped for a very long time, left the oil sweat marks on the case for probably 6 months. Then once all the excess oil weeped out, it stopped. Don't bother with making a special trip into the dealer to have it documented. Just wait till you take it in for the next service, heck most likely it will have stopped by then.
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
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From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
There's been several members reporting the same issue.I believe all of them I read reported that after cleaning the cases the issue went away.
just keep an eye on it and as Uncle Larry said above it wouldn't hurt to at least let your service make note of it.
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