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Surprisingly leaking oil

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Old May 19, 2025 | 11:59 AM
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Default Surprisingly leaking oil
Hello all I am new to here and I have a question i have a 1981 amf sportster 1000 and it appears to be leaking oil near the push rods on the right side of the bike at the bottom of the heads im hoping its a o ring but im curious on if anyone else has ran in to a similar issue and it only leaks when im riding not at idle or anything I do use I belive its 80e sporster oil as using the recommended 20w50 gets to thin.
 
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Old May 19, 2025 | 12:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Dustin2333
Hello all I am new to here and I have a question i have a 1981 amf sportster 1000 and it appears to be leaking oil near the push rods on the right side of the bike at the bottom of the heads im hoping its a o ring but im curious on if anyone else has ran in to a similar issue and it only leaks when im riding not at idle or anything I do use I belive its 80e sporster oil as using the recommended 20w50 gets to thin.
I had an '82 25th Anniversary 1000cc Sportster...it leaked oil like a sieve as you describe as it was no doubt a holdover engine design / manufacture after the 6/16/81 AMF sale of H-D. H-D eventually took the bike back and I moved into a 1983 FXRS.

I have no idea if anyone ever sorted out the Ironhead issues, though I suspect some here likely have rides of that vintage that perform up to snuff.

I wish you the best...
 
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Old May 19, 2025 | 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Dustin2333
1981 amf sportster 1000 and it appears to be leaking oil near the push rods on the right side of the bike at the bottom of the heads im hoping its a o ring .
Easy enough to change and find out
Good luck

 
Last edited by eighteight; May 19, 2025 at 01:11 PM.
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Old May 19, 2025 | 04:55 PM
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An Ironhead that leaks oil, well who'da thought it?
 
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Old May 19, 2025 | 05:26 PM
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A 44-year-old Ironhead absolutely cannot "Surprisingly" leak oil.

Please sprinkle a few periods into your run on sentence.
 
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; May 19, 2025 at 09:12 PM.
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Old May 19, 2025 | 06:25 PM
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Get the push rod cover gasket set with the cork gaskets.
 
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Old May 19, 2025 | 08:49 PM
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It doesn't leak it marks it's spot.
 
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Old May 20, 2025 | 06:10 AM
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If it's not leaking, you are out of oil. Fun with Ironheads, good luck.
 
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Old May 20, 2025 | 06:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Architect
If it's not leaking, you are out of oil.
This right here^^^. LOL
 
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Old May 20, 2025 | 07:19 AM
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Im not being an ahole - ITS AN AMF HD. Its marking it trail.. My 83 WG leaked a month after a total reseal...Even blinker fluid leaks on these things...
 
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