I have a stock 96 in an 07 Softail Standard FXST with about 36K miles. The rockerboxes are leaking both the front and rear. I picked up a James kit for the rockerboxes, just wondering if I should do anything else while I am in there. DK Rocker Lockers are something I keep coming across that seem to be worthwhile.

 

Rocker Lockers are a worthwhile investment particularly if you are getting a lot of clatter coming from the rocker boxes. Check out the website and get informed before deciding you need them, while they are not expensive and easy to install, if you don't need them. James gaskets have a sketchy reputation; many here won't use them. I would suggest keeping an eye on that area after the install. Cometic gaskets are pretty commonly used by many here but I started using Cyco (US Steel) gaskets years ago to save money; quality material.

 

I would not use the James kit.. I'd use either HD or cometic. When installing add a real thin coat of permatex ultra black along the outside edge of the breather passage on the gasket..

 

+1 on Cometic.

John

 

Can't go wrong with OEM either..

 

Drill out the drainage holes. Replace the breathers.

 

Thats too bad about the bad reputation for James Gaskets. I already had them ordered when I made this post. Ill run them and and stick with cometic going forward.

I drilled out the drain holes for the breathers to 1/8 in




Going through some cleanup of the heads and jugs from the oil leaks.

I guess i never got down low enough to see the bottom fins of the jugs. Since getting a lift and having the bike up higher i was able to see this mess. It also shows me i dont wash the bike well enough since theyve made it through many washes.



Polishing up the rocker covers, they have a little pitting, mainly heavy oxidation. Picking up some aluminum polish to finish them.



Cleaned up the pushrod covers, ran them through the ultrasonic cleaner with some simple green and hit them with the 0000 wool.

 

While torqueing the rocker arms, the torque adapter barely scraped the rocker support arm, and a small thin aluminum chip came off and into the area for the exhaust valve spring. I am afraid i will now need to remove the front cylinder head to fish out that small metal chip. 😥

 

If you can see the piece of aluminum, take a Q-tip with a little grease on it to grab the sliver.. If not I wouldn't worry about it too much.. The screen in the scavenge side of the oil pump should grab it..

 

That is quite the "Scrape" - you sure you did that ? That had to take a fair amount of force. As mentioned, - try to fish it out if you can. There are long cotton tip swabs, and also a long item like a welding rod or even a piece of dowl rod, with that dab of grease maybe helpful.

As for gaskets - I have had excellent results with all of the Cometic gaskets I have purchased and used over the years. Very good value.