4 speed tranny fill level argument...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,129
Likes: 12,691
From: South Carolina
and 1 ounce of this in the tranny -- 4 ounces in the engine oil --- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Militec-1-16...0063e1&vxp=mtr --
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Jun 29, 2014 at 08:01 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
I have tried running my bike with a minimum of gear oil in the 4 speed transmission of my 1975 FLH and I have tried filling the transmission till it leaks out of the hole in the kicker filled by the allen plug.
The only thing running a minimum amount of gear oil accomplished, was to make me check the oil in the tranny before every ride.
I have torn down my bike for the last time to "fix" my oil leaking transmission. I am just interested in slowing it down, anybody have an idea about running 140 wt gear oil in the transmission? I currently run 75-90 wt synthetic gear oil.
I live and ride in Texas, and our winters are usually pretty brief and mild compared to the rest of the country. So cold temps affecting the heavy gear oil are not that much of a concern. If it gets that cold, the pick up truck looks pretty good.
The only thing running a minimum amount of gear oil accomplished, was to make me check the oil in the tranny before every ride.
I have torn down my bike for the last time to "fix" my oil leaking transmission. I am just interested in slowing it down, anybody have an idea about running 140 wt gear oil in the transmission? I currently run 75-90 wt synthetic gear oil.
I live and ride in Texas, and our winters are usually pretty brief and mild compared to the rest of the country. So cold temps affecting the heavy gear oil are not that much of a concern. If it gets that cold, the pick up truck looks pretty good.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 142
I have the same issue. The tranny leaks at the shaft. I had a brand new seal installed and it still leaks. Has anyone ever used Lucas in gear oil. There is an additive that will swell the seals. I don't know if that will work in this case, but im tired of cleaning up oil under and all over the back end. Tranny shifts perfect, just leaks
randy
randy
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 39
From: NW Florida
I have the same issue. The tranny leaks at the shaft. I had a brand new seal installed and it still leaks. Has anyone ever used Lucas in gear oil. There is an additive that will swell the seals. I don't know if that will work in this case, but im tired of cleaning up oil under and all over the back end. Tranny shifts perfect, just leaks
randy
randy
Also if you have a rear chain oiler or have your breather hose routed over the rear chain this could be the source of the oil.
If you still have the stock oil return primary a loose chain could wear the return line from the primary causing a leak.
Many time the primary drain plug is stripped by a previous owner and leaks through the threads.
Sponsor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,084
Likes: 829
The leak your refering to, I believe, usually comes from the MDG bushing loosing it's fitment on the mainshaft, allowing that babbited bushing to release oil in an over-abundance to the point the seal cannot contain it any longer.
Scott
Scott
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 142
So basically I have to live with this or spend a ton of time and money. I built this bike meticulously in aniticpation of stuff like this happening and of course it did. I put the main seal in as everyone said I should without success. Does anyone make a transmission that doesn't leak? If im going to go through all that work, I might just as well replace it and be done with it. This blows.
randy
randy
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: la la land jerzey
as said above the 4 gear bushing is a cause for leaks and the seals race on the end of 4 th gear as well as the correct end play comes into play - a few people have made modified races to fix the problem is different ways ( but ) you have a bike with a 30 something year old gear box that has been man handled by some who should not own wrenches - and this is also a reason it leaks and abuse -
No amount of an additave no matter how seal swelling it does will fix the unit
it needs to be over hauled by a shop that is good at it, and all the clearances set to spec and the correct mods done or it will never end the issue you have
No amount of an additave no matter how seal swelling it does will fix the unit
it needs to be over hauled by a shop that is good at it, and all the clearances set to spec and the correct mods done or it will never end the issue you have
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 149
Likes: 45
From: Upstate NY
Well, the mechanic finally pulled the tranny and took it apart. It's totally EFFED! The shaft is shot, the races are bad, and the case is worn - teeth are chewed... I'm sick. Option 1 was to replace everything, and look for oversized bushings, but the expense was getting out of control.
Option two was to by a new reproduction tranny already done. Although this was the less expensive option, the thought of having a "replica" tranny bugged me.
Fortunately we found a freshly rebuilt 4 speed on craigslist about an hour away.
All this from a little leak....
Option two was to by a new reproduction tranny already done. Although this was the less expensive option, the thought of having a "replica" tranny bugged me.
Fortunately we found a freshly rebuilt 4 speed on craigslist about an hour away.
All this from a little leak....
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I run nothing but Lucas products in my 1975 FLH, the transmission leak is regular as clockwork, put a few ounces in every two hundred miles or so. I have learned to carry gear oil and motor oil in my saddlebags, for those Uh Oh moments. I have recently developed a leak of what I believe to be crankcase oil from the area of where my starter bolts on to the inner primary. Good thing the engine is spotless, well so far anyway.
I just park it over a turkey basting pan, with a bunch of cat litter in it to keep the garage floor somewhat cleaner. I guess I just need to get over being so picky, and enjoy the bike for what it is, a for real time machine. I get a smile on my face every time I crank her and go for a ride.
I just park it over a turkey basting pan, with a bunch of cat litter in it to keep the garage floor somewhat cleaner. I guess I just need to get over being so picky, and enjoy the bike for what it is, a for real time machine. I get a smile on my face every time I crank her and go for a ride.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
I run nothing but Lucas products in my 1975 FLH, the transmission leak is regular as clockwork, put a few ounces in every two hundred miles or so. I have learned to carry gear oil and motor oil in my saddlebags, for those Uh Oh moments. I have recently developed a leak of what I believe to be crankcase oil from the area of where my starter bolts on to the inner primary. Good thing the engine is spotless, well so far anyway.
I just park it over a turkey basting pan, with a bunch of cat litter in it to keep the garage floor somewhat cleaner. I guess I just need to get over being so picky, and enjoy the bike for what it is, a for real time machine. I get a smile on my face every time I crank her and go for a ride.
I just park it over a turkey basting pan, with a bunch of cat litter in it to keep the garage floor somewhat cleaner. I guess I just need to get over being so picky, and enjoy the bike for what it is, a for real time machine. I get a smile on my face every time I crank her and go for a ride.
Tip of the day -- white news paper the only thing i have ever found it to be worth anything at all is soaking up oil - put it on the floor spill and if you shread it - it works better than cat litter
we keep stacks in the shop and just slide some under all the alpha male dogs that want to mark a spot
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