oil leaking on ground
Thread Starter
|
Stage IV
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
oil leaking on ground
I have 73 shovel.Ialso have alot of?'s.I hope yall have alot of patience.I would first liketo thank the ones that replied to my earlier post. This might be a dumb ? but what do all the letters stand for. For example my bike is considered an FX according to the vin breakdown and I assume it is a FXS because it has a shovel in it. I noticed today that there was a puddle of oil under the bike near the front sprocket/rear of transmission. I started the bike up and the oil seemed to mist onto the concrete floor of the garage. I have many ?'s and will repost some of them after looking through to see if it has been posted already.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 260
Likes: 1
From: Missoula MT
RE: oil leaking on ground
Older 4 speeds generally leak oil at the mainshaft seal or the drive gear seal, depends on how bad it is if you want to deal with it or just keep filling it. Replacing those seals is a semi-major job. Also could be coming from primary cover/gasket or the oil lines that run from the oil pump/bag to the primary, if they are there. You need to do some serious looking and try to find out exactly where it is coming from and go from there. Determining if it is motor oil or gear oil will help narrow it down. Good luck.
Bob
Bob
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From:
RE: oil leaking on ground
Could also be the crankcase breather. Do you have a tube coming out of your oil pump pointing to the ground? It would explan the misting. If that's it, there are a few different products on the market to minimize the mess. I put a check valve type deal on my '66. It works okay.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
RE: oil leaking on ground
It has a chain oiler and it's the #1 reason for oil leaks on shovels.. It is a tube pointed towards the chain. There is a needle valve that you can screw down to slow the oil. It is designed so you can't shut it completely off, as the oil system breaths through it. Don't try and plug it. Regularly use Gunk under the motor and hose off and the oil spills will be smaller.
There are other sources of oil leaks on them, as previously mentioned. You'll need to become a leak detective.
There are other sources of oil leaks on them, as previously mentioned. You'll need to become a leak detective.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 61
Likes: 1
From:
Trending Topics
Novice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
RE: oil leaking on ground
As I found out just replacing the seals on the tranny may not permanently fix the oil leak. I replaced mine and it did stop leaking but after about 100 miles it started again. In my case I most likely have some worn parts that will eventually need replaced. I have found that most of my leak though is while the bike is leaning on the kickstand. When parked in the garage I put a 2x4 under the kickstand and I have about 1/4 as much of a leak. Also, as most probably know, a puddle on the floor usually isn't near as much oil as you may think. I checked my fluid level a couple days ago and it was only about 1 oz. low.
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
Novice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From:
RE: oil leaking on ground
Hello,
That a Shovel is leaking oil can meana fewthings:
1 It has oil in the Carter and that will be pissed on the ground when you start it after a long period of not using it.
2 The chain oiler is set to rich so the chain leaks the oil.
3 you can have a leak mainshaft seal on the transmissionshaft. This can be fixed by placing a suppernut (this includes a seal)
4 Or the primary leaks from a seal or is busted.
Either way don't matter, when it stops leaking it's time to worry because there might be no more oil left. And I always say "where there is oil there is no rust"
btw mine is not leaking and sometimes I just check all of the fluids to be sure.
That a Shovel is leaking oil can meana fewthings:
1 It has oil in the Carter and that will be pissed on the ground when you start it after a long period of not using it.
2 The chain oiler is set to rich so the chain leaks the oil.
3 you can have a leak mainshaft seal on the transmissionshaft. This can be fixed by placing a suppernut (this includes a seal)
4 Or the primary leaks from a seal or is busted.
Either way don't matter, when it stops leaking it's time to worry because there might be no more oil left. And I always say "where there is oil there is no rust"
btw mine is not leaking and sometimes I just check all of the fluids to be sure.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
RE: oil leaking on ground
Hi Tuff It sounds like the breather is hanging down. I think the breather should go
to the air cleaner. If it is not real bad. I would not worry about it. I have found the
best solution to leaking shovels there is. Get a large rubber mat and a pan. Unless
the leak is really bad. If you put carboard under the leak, it spreads on the cardboard.
Looks like a lot of oil, but it may not be. I found the amount of oil it leaks is small, now
that I put the pan under the bike. You have my email I will send you pics of where the oil
lines go if you want them. I have not figured out how to send pics with a message on
the message board yet. I enjoy working on the bike and will replace my trans seals
this winter. I wipe the bike down after riding. I found very little leaked while it was sitting.
Most of the oil came from an accumulation while riding. Check your owners manual. I think
the trans uses the same oil as the engine.
to the air cleaner. If it is not real bad. I would not worry about it. I have found the
best solution to leaking shovels there is. Get a large rubber mat and a pan. Unless
the leak is really bad. If you put carboard under the leak, it spreads on the cardboard.
Looks like a lot of oil, but it may not be. I found the amount of oil it leaks is small, now
that I put the pan under the bike. You have my email I will send you pics of where the oil
lines go if you want them. I have not figured out how to send pics with a message on
the message board yet. I enjoy working on the bike and will replace my trans seals
this winter. I wipe the bike down after riding. I found very little leaked while it was sitting.
Most of the oil came from an accumulation while riding. Check your owners manual. I think
the trans uses the same oil as the engine.