What should I do?
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 351
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RE: What should I do?
ORIGINAL: Horse13
One thing I'll say is them Honda's just run forever.Put in the gas, change the oil and forget it.I own two myself.
But they just ain't an Ironhead.
ORIGINAL: piniongear
OK, you can make that three in a row that says you are being handed a line of bullshit.
From the sound of it, that guy is trying to sell you an engine job that you do not need.
If you have some mechanical ability, get yourself a factory manual and begin to learn something about working on a bike and doing repairs. There is no question that cannot be answered by some member of the forum here regarding anything concerning fixing an ironhead.
Now, if you are someone who does not like the idea of working on bikes at all, then I believe you need to trade the machine for a Honda, and the later the model the better........pg
OK, you can make that three in a row that says you are being handed a line of bullshit.
From the sound of it, that guy is trying to sell you an engine job that you do not need.
If you have some mechanical ability, get yourself a factory manual and begin to learn something about working on a bike and doing repairs. There is no question that cannot be answered by some member of the forum here regarding anything concerning fixing an ironhead.
Now, if you are someone who does not like the idea of working on bikes at all, then I believe you need to trade the machine for a Honda, and the later the model the better........pg
But they just ain't an Ironhead.
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
RE: What should I do?
Well, after going to the shop to see my bike, this is what I discovered. After removing the primary cover, we discovered the previous owner through a chain and it slapped around and tore up the inside. The guy welded all the damage the chain caused, and like you said (supr2nr) he welded the breather valve.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: West Tennessee
RE: What should I do?
Thats not a huge deal. It's obviously going to cause it to leak because there is no way for the primary case to effectively relieve pressure. Crazyhorse which is a member here, and I think also runs another forum for ironheads, did the same as you and found out that it shouldn't have been done. The oil fill valve is vented but its just not enough to relieve the pressure. Check out his venture here. http://www.ironheadmafia.org/forums/...f=11&t=404
You might be able to put it back the way it was. Was the valve actually welded up or was it just JB Welded up? Because if its just JB Welded up then you might be able to pry it out with a screwdriver. If it is welded up then its pretty much permanent, but can still be fixed.
You might be able to drill a hole on the top of the primary cover and find a one way valve to thread into it. That way if the pressure builds then the valve opens and relieves the pressure.
You might be able to put it back the way it was. Was the valve actually welded up or was it just JB Welded up? Because if its just JB Welded up then you might be able to pry it out with a screwdriver. If it is welded up then its pretty much permanent, but can still be fixed.
You might be able to drill a hole on the top of the primary cover and find a one way valve to thread into it. That way if the pressure builds then the valve opens and relieves the pressure.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,472
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: What should I do?
One last - .060 over on the bore is about the max. After that the cylinders are better for making paper weights, boat anchors, and ash trays.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 94
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RE: What should I do?
ORIGINAL: mojo2go
Around here we use Hondas to sight in our deer rifles.
Around here we use Hondas to sight in our deer rifles.
.........better sight that rifle on all them"foreign" parts on yer HD too then. My 70's Sporty has Jap forks on it from the factory! Among who knows what else. DO NOT KID YOURSELF!
That made in America crap is a fantasy for going on 50 years now. A fact, a bummer, blame it on corporate America!
Matter of fact- Honda's are made in America! OHIO and other states. Made by Americans.
WAKE UP!
Ride what you like and what is right for you! AVOID THE HYPE AND HD advertising bull.
Riding a Harley don't make you a true blue American............or anything.
That being said......... I LOVE my old Ironhead and wouldn't trade it for anything. My favorite, my choice.
And I like my Honda's and other bikes, American, Italian, British & Japanese that I own or have owned or will own.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 94
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From:
RE: What should I do?
ORIGINAL: supr2nr
Thats not a huge deal. It's obviously going to cause it to leak because there is no way for the primary case to effectively relieve pressure. Crazyhorse which is a member here, and I think also runs another forum for ironheads, did the same as you and found out that it shouldn't have been done. The oil fill valve is vented but its just not enough to relieve the pressure. Check out his venture here. http://www.ironheadmafia.org/forums/...f=11&t=404
............................
Thats not a huge deal. It's obviously going to cause it to leak because there is no way for the primary case to effectively relieve pressure. Crazyhorse which is a member here, and I think also runs another forum for ironheads, did the same as you and found out that it shouldn't have been done. The oil fill valve is vented but its just not enough to relieve the pressure. Check out his venture here. http://www.ironheadmafia.org/forums/...f=11&t=404
............................
I ( and others) think plugging this "valve" is a good thing.
I'll leave it at that.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 27
From: Iowa
RE: What should I do?
Mojo2go didn't say anything about shooting Hondas because they are foreign made.
Maybe he just doesn't like Hondas.
He might be a big fan of Suzukis.
Maybe he just doesn't like Hondas.
He might be a big fan of Suzukis.
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Advanced
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 94
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From:
RE: What should I do?
ORIGINAL: eglideic
Mojo2go didn't say anything about shooting Hondas because they are foreign made.
Maybe he just doesn't like Hondas.
He might be a big fan of Suzukis.
Mojo2go didn't say anything about shooting Hondas because they are foreign made.
Maybe he just doesn't like Hondas.
He might be a big fan of Suzukis.
( only the super bikes, not the KZ900's)
So I guess I now can understand the statement better.
Thanks for straightening me out.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: West Tennessee
RE: What should I do?
ORIGINAL: Horse13
Well Actually...........it was the "TESTING" of using ATF in the tranny that caused the issue. Once I replaced it with 50W.........no more problems. ATF is too thin and seeps out of any opening , vent or .........
I ( and others) think plugging this "valve" is a good thing.
I'll leave it at that.
ORIGINAL: supr2nr
Thats not a huge deal. It's obviously going to cause it to leak because there is no way for the primary case to effectively relieve pressure. Crazyhorse which is a member here, and I think also runs another forum for ironheads, did the same as you and found out that it shouldn't have been done. The oil fill valve is vented but its just not enough to relieve the pressure. Check out his venture here. http://www.ironheadmafia.org/forums/...f=11&t=404
............................
Thats not a huge deal. It's obviously going to cause it to leak because there is no way for the primary case to effectively relieve pressure. Crazyhorse which is a member here, and I think also runs another forum for ironheads, did the same as you and found out that it shouldn't have been done. The oil fill valve is vented but its just not enough to relieve the pressure. Check out his venture here. http://www.ironheadmafia.org/forums/...f=11&t=404
............................
I ( and others) think plugging this "valve" is a good thing.
I'll leave it at that.
Zeppy, he's absolutely right. A thinner oil will leak because obvsiouly its thinner. The leaking may or may not be caused by the blocked up valve. Try doing the following:
1. Clean the gasket surface of the primary case to make sure all old gasket material is removed. I sand mine down with a 400 or 800 grit sandpaper. Also brake cleaner works really well to remove the residue.
2. Apply a new gasket with gasket sealent. I prefer permatex #2 gasket sealant. It's non hardening and its great for the threads of drain plugs.
3. Make sure that the drain plug is not stripped, if not clean the drain plug completly with brake cleaner, add a few drops of permatex #2 sealant and install it again.
4. Let the sealant sit for about an hour to thicken up and get tacky. Then add 20W-50 or SAE50 oil to the primary making sure not to add to much oil. Should only need about 26 oz.
5. Then take it for a ride and see if it leaks.
If it still leaks. Take the bike outside. Make sure to check the oil levels in everything and fill if need be. Then buy a can of Gunk Engine Degreaser/Cleaner. Spray the motor down with that stuff the best you can. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes like the directions say and then hose it off. After the motor dries completely, put it in neutral, start it up, and let it warm up completely, then get off and look around (making sure to be completely careful) and see if you can tell where the oil is coming from. Then repair where you see it.