'74 FLH need new gaskets?
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Arizona
'74 FLH need new gaskets?
Hey there...I recently did a post on "'74 pouring oil". Well that got figured out, thanks to folks on this site.
Anyway, I got this bike from my friend. It had been sitting for just over four years before I got it from him. The top end was re-done a few hundred miles ago (but over four years ago) and the bottom end looked good, according to a good bike mechanic (the shop that did the top end).
My question is this....knowing that the top end was re-done and the bottom end looked good back then, should I put all new gaskets in? I started the bike up and let her run for about 10 minutes and she ran great. I did see that the primary cover gasket was leaking on the top/middle. I didn't see any other leaks (other than the vent one that leaked for a bit at first/see my other post) while she was running or after I shut her down. I know I'm going to put a new primary cover gasket, take off the tanks and clean them, take off the carb and clean that. should I go ahead and put ALL new gaskets or should I run it until I actually see leaks? Would these gaskets break down from sitting for that long? It was always garaged while it was not being ridden for all those years? Although it is an Arizona bike, and it gets hotter than hell out her in the summer. What do you guys think? Thank in advance....
Anyway, I got this bike from my friend. It had been sitting for just over four years before I got it from him. The top end was re-done a few hundred miles ago (but over four years ago) and the bottom end looked good, according to a good bike mechanic (the shop that did the top end).
My question is this....knowing that the top end was re-done and the bottom end looked good back then, should I put all new gaskets in? I started the bike up and let her run for about 10 minutes and she ran great. I did see that the primary cover gasket was leaking on the top/middle. I didn't see any other leaks (other than the vent one that leaked for a bit at first/see my other post) while she was running or after I shut her down. I know I'm going to put a new primary cover gasket, take off the tanks and clean them, take off the carb and clean that. should I go ahead and put ALL new gaskets or should I run it until I actually see leaks? Would these gaskets break down from sitting for that long? It was always garaged while it was not being ridden for all those years? Although it is an Arizona bike, and it gets hotter than hell out her in the summer. What do you guys think? Thank in advance....
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 28
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From: Arizona
So maybe it leaked because the bike had sit so long and the motor oil all went to the bottom end? When I first started her up, the motor oil poured out pretty bad via the blowby tube at the bottom. I didn't know why it did that until someone here explained it to me. So maybe the primary leaked because of that too? The bike has a chain (primary and drive). It's pretty much a stock '74 FLH. I'm new to Shovelheads...actually only my second Harley. I had a '97 Sporty that I got new and sold it about three years ago. So, I'm pretty much learning about Shovels now.
So I should only replace the gaskets as needed, like when they start leaking? I'd be happy with just replacing the primary cover gasket so I can get riding sooner. But I do want to do it right so I don't have to do it twice....
So I should only replace the gaskets as needed, like when they start leaking? I'd be happy with just replacing the primary cover gasket so I can get riding sooner. But I do want to do it right so I don't have to do it twice....
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