5,000 miles - Oil leaks??????
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 355
From: San Diego
5,000 miles - Oil leaks??????
Got 5k on my 1200 custom. Gradually worsening oil leaks at base of both cylinders. Imagine just re-torqueing the head bolts should fix it, but turns out that's a very expensive job. Experiences??
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 299
From: SC
It's not an expensive job if you DIY, but like Scuba said, it probably won't fix it. Once the gasket is compromised, all the torque in the world won't re-seal it.
Replace during the next cold spell.
Edit: Oh, wait. You're in San Diego. Replace when you can't stand the oil any more.
Replace during the next cold spell.
Edit: Oh, wait. You're in San Diego. Replace when you can't stand the oil any more.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 528
Likes: 140
From: Anaheim, CA
Mine's been leaking at the base since before 20K miles...somewhere around 60K now, still leaks from the base, now from the rocker box as well.
Too lazy to fix it, like someone else said...once you can't deal with it anymore, re-gasket the whole top end.
Too lazy to fix it, like someone else said...once you can't deal with it anymore, re-gasket the whole top end.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,512
Likes: 3,924
From: San Diego, CA
Mine seeps at the bases for the last 27 years, practically since new. It's not a pressurized leak, so ride it and wash it off when you feel like it. I have the old bare metal cases so it doesn't really show. If you have a painted cases, that might show oil stains more clearly.
John
John
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Normal. Gotta rebuild top end every now and again.
Advice is warm the bike up gradually until up to operating temp. Quick ramp/large temp gradient across heads will cause warpage, especially to rocker boxes.
Advice is warm the bike up gradually until up to operating temp. Quick ramp/large temp gradient across heads will cause warpage, especially to rocker boxes.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 559
Likes: 113
From: VA-Nelson Cty
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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one other tip is that the unit is aluminum and requires a certain procedure. wailing down as they said, probably will not help, but, it is a very easy thing to do yourself with the fsm and right tools. no tools, borrow, special tools can sometimes be gotten on a temp basis for auto parts stores.
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
His profile lists the bike as an 05. 12 years(old) / 5000 miles = 417 miles/yr.
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