Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Is this normal/typical 883 behavior?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 19, 2018 | 09:39 PM
  #1  
RedLewy's Avatar
RedLewy
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 53
Likes: 5
From: Brooklyn
Default Is this normal/typical 883 behavior?

Is this normal oil leakage? I only see it on the left side of the engine.
 
Attached Thumbnails Is this normal/typical 883 behavior?-fea0412c-01d1-4b6f-9b8d-8f54dbcc4709.jpeg   Is this normal/typical 883 behavior?-7e9ebccf-e3aa-41e2-be14-c9b0c1fc8244.jpeg  
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2018 | 11:27 PM
  #2  
lewk's Avatar
lewk
Road Warrior
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 253
From: Northern Los Angeles area.
Default

Originally Posted by RedLewy
Is this normal oil leakage? I only see it on the left side of the engine.
My 07 XL1200L did that as well. I changed the gasket and it still did that albeit not as profusely as before. Then I read on xlforum that it's good practice, after turning off the engine, to wait a few seconds before leaning the bike on the jiffy. Since you've been riding, the heads have been sprayed with oil and if you give the oil time to drain down after turning the engine off, then it's less likely to seep out of the side.
 
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2018 | 11:54 PM
  #3  
RedLewy's Avatar
RedLewy
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 53
Likes: 5
From: Brooklyn
Default

Makes so much sense, thank you!
 
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2018 | 02:04 AM
  #4  
K9F's Avatar
K9F
Road Master
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 399
From: Bournemouth United Kingdom
Default

No it is not 'normal' get a new gasket or first try re-torqueing the bolts to the correct torque!
 
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2018 | 05:15 AM
  #5  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Thumbs up

Originally Posted by K9F
No it is not 'normal' get a new gasket or first try re-torqueing the bolts to the correct torque!
Agreed. Life's too short to not get off the bike as soon as stopping to park it! My 2011, owned from new, doesn't do that.
 
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2018 | 08:02 AM
  #6  
Scuba10jdl's Avatar
Scuba10jdl
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
Default

Rocker box gasket leak. Super common. Replace them and hopefully you won't have the problem again. On occasion someone gets warped rocker covers that need replaced, but that's quite a bit more rare.
 
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2018 | 08:09 AM
  #7  
RedLewy's Avatar
RedLewy
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 53
Likes: 5
From: Brooklyn
Default

Originally Posted by Scuba10jdl
Rocker box gasket leak. Super common. Replace them and hopefully you won't have the problem again. On occasion someone gets warped rocker covers that need replaced, but that's quite a bit more rare.
Does make sense that it started, or the leakage increased, after I installed my breather bolts? Can I wait till I do my full tune up (after the summer) to have it fixed? Thx
 
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2018 | 08:12 AM
  #8  
RedLewy's Avatar
RedLewy
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 53
Likes: 5
From: Brooklyn
Default

Originally Posted by Scuba10jdl
Rocker box gasket leak. Super common. Replace them and hopefully you won't have the problem again. On occasion someone gets warped rocker covers that need replaced, but that's quite a bit more rare.
Originally Posted by K9F
No it is not 'normal' get a new gasket or first try re-torqueing the bolts to the correct torque!
Maybe I’ll try this first before I bring it to the shop. Do you happen to have the correct torque spec for that bolt? I don’t have the manual, if anybody knows where I can get the torque specs for the entire bike would be most appreciated! Thx
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 20, 2018 | 08:14 AM
  #9  
Scuba10jdl's Avatar
Scuba10jdl
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
Default

Originally Posted by RedLewy


Does make sense that it started, or the leakage increased, after I installed my breather bolts? Can I wait till I do my full tune up (after the summer) to have it fixed? Thx
Only if your breather bolts aren't hollow to allow the bike to breath. Otherwise, it's just coincidence. Probably a low mileage bike that's 5+ years old and sat for a while? Very familiar story. Even mine did it when I bought it, hasn't leaked since fixing it.
 
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2018 | 08:14 AM
  #10  
rigidthumper's Avatar
rigidthumper
Grand HDF Member
Veteran: Army
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,740
Likes: 8,536
From: Bates County MO
Default

Originally Posted by RedLewy


Does make sense that it started, or the leakage increased, after I installed my breather bolts? Can I wait till I do my full tune up (after the summer) to have it fixed? Thx
Are you certain the breather bolts are able to breathe? Any restriction in the crankcase vent can make weeping more pronounced.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:58 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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