Leaking/splashing some sort of fluid on my Slim tank
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,409
Likes: 812
From: Middle America
Leaking/splashing some sort of fluid on my Slim tank
Last Saturday I was looking over my '17 Slim after a ride, and I noticed some sort of fluid or liquid that looked like it had splashed on the left front portion of my gas tank, just about where the clutch cable touches the tank when it's parked. The fluid was kind of greasy, colorless, and odorless. It wasn't very thick, and it wasn't sticky. It wiped off easily, and it didn't appear when I rode the next day.
Today, it appeared again in the exact same area. After wiping it off, I did a thorough check of the ENTIRE bike, and I could not find any signs of leaking anywhere, and I couldn't find any signs of the stuff on any other component.
I should have taken a pic of the stuff on the tank before I wiped it off, but here's the area I'm talking about:
Any ideas?
If it happens again tomorrow, I'll take a pic of the spot before cleaning it off. The other thing I'll mention that I did have the 1,000 mile service done last month, but I didn't notice this until last eeejend with about 1,750 miles on the bike.
Today, it appeared again in the exact same area. After wiping it off, I did a thorough check of the ENTIRE bike, and I could not find any signs of leaking anywhere, and I couldn't find any signs of the stuff on any other component.
I should have taken a pic of the stuff on the tank before I wiped it off, but here's the area I'm talking about:
Any ideas?
If it happens again tomorrow, I'll take a pic of the spot before cleaning it off. The other thing I'll mention that I did have the 1,000 mile service done last month, but I didn't notice this until last eeejend with about 1,750 miles on the bike.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,409
Likes: 812
From: Middle America
Upon further review, it looks like it's grease oozing from the steering head bearings, and it looks like it's sort of a common problem after the 1,000 mile service. I wiped off the top and bottom of the neck tube, and I'll keep an eye on it.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 44
Likes: 3
From: S.E. USA
My 2007 standard does same thing, only after being out on 120 degree parking lot. So I've gotten used to wiping down the tank when I get home. It's worse after riding in hard rain. There is better spec grease that can withstand high temps.
Did it get greased after the 1k? I don't recall having to grease it at 1k service
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,409
Likes: 812
From: Middle America
It hasn't been all that hot here for the past 2 weeks. Maybe 85 tops. And it was only 54 when I rode yesterday morning.
I'll see how it goes today. I'm about ready to go ride.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,409
Likes: 812
From: Middle America
Yep, that's where it was coming from. I cleaned the bottom of the bearings, and there hasn't been any splash.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 44
Likes: 3
From: S.E. USA
I should add that it's migrating to the left fork when sitting on the stand, then when you ride the wind sends it to the left side of the tank. Thinking it was fork oil or brake fluid at first I got used to wiping it down before and after riding to figure out where it was coming from. I also had it in the shop to help figure out a shimmy in the front. They adjusted the head torque, and filled the neck with 19 pounds of grease. They said it should be kept full. I said not if you use grease that oozes out from sitting in the hot sun. The shimmy ended up being a bad new tire. I also carry a hand towel in my bag and stuff it around the neck when I park if it's a hot day so the sun doesn't beat directly on the neck and cook it all day. It might be a pain but it's manageable. I was a trained mech and worked at a dealer so not everything bothers me as much. If you have it in a shop check both top and bottom of the head when you get home and wipe off any excess before it migrates.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 679
Likes: 120
From: Fairbanks, AK.
If they used Harley's Special Purpose Grease 99857-97A they recommend for that application then it'll drip oil until the next Ice Age.
The grease is thin amber colored and unlike tacky thick grease that's used in heavy equipment the oil in the HD stuff separates from the thickener material and runs downhill and out of the housing. About all you can do is wipe it off the lower and upper steering column or replace it with thicker lube.
The grease is thin amber colored and unlike tacky thick grease that's used in heavy equipment the oil in the HD stuff separates from the thickener material and runs downhill and out of the housing. About all you can do is wipe it off the lower and upper steering column or replace it with thicker lube.
Tourer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 443
Likes: 75
From: Xenia OH
I didn't use HD grease on mine, I use a marine grade grease which is fairly thick. I use it on everything. After using it in this head bearings, I'm thinking when I finally use it all up on my boat and vehicles in going to get something thicker. It still creeps out of the head bearings.
you'd think they would put a seal on it or something to at least slow down the drip!
you'd think they would put a seal on it or something to at least slow down the drip!