Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Carb Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 16, 2012 | 11:25 AM
  #1  
Skalded Dog's Avatar
Skalded Dog
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Default Carb Question

I have a custom breather that comes off of my carb. All around the housing for where the breather and the carb meet it black grime almost greasy. What is this and what would the solution be?
 
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2012 | 11:28 AM
  #2  
Skalded Dog's Avatar
Skalded Dog
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Default

Also I have a small class 1 leak on the bottom of my tranny. It's not dripping, just a little moisture. The gears work great and I haven't had any trouble at all with the bike. Just wondering if its a Harley thing to expect or if its a problem?
 
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 07:24 AM
  #3  
Skalded Dog's Avatar
Skalded Dog
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Default

Any ideas at all?
 
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 07:38 AM
  #4  
RANGER73's Avatar
RANGER73
Club Member
Veteran: Army
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,420
Likes: 7,118
From: Beyond Fucital
Default

Originally Posted by Skalded Dog
I have a custom breather that comes off of my carb. All around the housing for where the breather and the carb meet it black grime almost greasy. What is this and what would the solution be?
It's greasy dirt, clean it. Are you to young to remember carbs on cars? Always geasy dirt, the valve covers had a hose to the air cleaner. Oil and air attract dirt.
Depending where the tranny leak is, you might need a gasket. My primary inspection cover's got a leak from the screws. It's the little washer, I'll change it the next time I'm in there. Mean time I wipe it off.
 
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 09:25 AM
  #5  
Skalded Dog's Avatar
Skalded Dog
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Default

Thanks bud. Im 24 so my knowledge of carbs is limited not to mention I am not mechanically inclined. I didn't think it was something major but wasn't sure.

Are you still a Ranger or are you out of the Army?
 
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 09:32 AM
  #6  
Skalded Dog's Avatar
Skalded Dog
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Default

Also is it normal to take off the front turn signals? The guy I bought my bike from mounted a batwing and took off the turn signals up front. Has anyone heard of this before?
 
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 10:10 AM
  #7  
RANGER73's Avatar
RANGER73
Club Member
Veteran: Army
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,420
Likes: 7,118
From: Beyond Fucital
Default

No, did my tour, +1. Got out in 72. Good times.
So far as your signals, Depends on the state. If they require front turns or not. You could remount them on the forks, buy some aftermarket or takeoffs from E-bay. Fnd the old wiring connections and reconnect.
Do you still have rear signals?
 

Last edited by RANGER73; Oct 17, 2012 at 10:12 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 10:42 AM
  #8  
Harley_Dude's Avatar
Harley_Dude
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,716
Likes: 103
From:
Default

Heads breath oil back into the carb to be burnt. Clean it up no big deal.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 11:54 AM
  #9  
2006FLST's Avatar
2006FLST
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 8
From: Powder Springs, GA
Default

Depending on your set up you can also route the oil from the vent to the bottom of the bike like I did. Keeps everything nice and clean.
 
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 05:08 PM
  #10  
Skalded Dog's Avatar
Skalded Dog
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Default

Originally Posted by RANGER73
No, did my tour, +1. Got out in 72. Good times.
So far as your signals, Depends on the state. If they require front turns or not. You could remount them on the forks, buy some aftermarket or takeoffs from E-bay. Fnd the old wiring connections and reconnect.
Do you still have rear signals?
yeah I still have the rear signals.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:14 AM.

story-0
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-3
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-4
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE