oil on frame
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5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
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From:
oil on frame
hey folks. I got an 06 883 custom with 1800 miles. after i ride a hundred miles, or so, i notice that i have some oil residue on the left rear of the frame. Took it in for an oil and primary change yesterday and told the tech what i saw, he couldn't find anything out of the ordinary or any evidence of a leak.I did however clean it all off about fourty miles prior to the oil change. I told him i saw what seemed to be some sort of breater tube around the same area. it looked to me like it was just a fuel vent. he traced the tube to the fuel tankand said the same thing, so it shouldn't be coming from that. anyway, I've rode another 60 miles or so and i can see the same oil residue running down the frame again. I cant seem to locate the source. the case seems to be dry, it actually looks like the frame is leaking oil??? it's right behind the case on the primary side under the passenger peg before the swing-arm. the technician did not have a bike lift available and did the oil changes on the floor so he really couldnt see underneath the bike any better than i could. any ideas? thanks in advance.
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5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
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From:
RE: oil on frame
when i first noticed it, i thought maybe the same thing, but it really seems to be engine oil. has a slight gas smell so i dont think its a primary vent or leak. it seems to start where the crossmember that connects one side of the frame to the other side, and then it slowly seeps down the left side from there. it's dry above the crossmember.other than the frame being damp, everything else looks dry. i cleaned it all off again, I'll see if i can find a source in another couple hundred miles. it's not terrible by any means. Inever even see a spot where i park. I see it when i clean the bike andit just boggles me for the simple fact that i have no idea where it's coming from. i've looked under it several times. I'lluse a little mirror next time to see if i can find another angle since i can't fit my head under there to look straight up 
thanks for the input
thanks for the input
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5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
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From:
RE: oil on frame
i've checked the drain tube closely for obvious reasons and it's always dry. if it is coming from the drain hose it definetly doesn't leave any evidence behind. i've looked under the case from the front to the back thinking maybe wind might be blowing the leak back and up the frame, I can only find damp frame. after a while it will create a little drop dangling from the bottom. if the bike just sits it will not create dampness or show a leak. i have to ride it quite a while before it shows up again.possibly a hidden blow-by vent or breather back there i'm just not seeing?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: fegfsg
RE: oil on frame
i have a 1988 and after i power clean the entire bike, after 50 miles or so, my entire rear swing arm is covered in what looks like oil mist, but it seems to be a combination of some oil, mostly road grime that the tire kicks up, and occasionally some gas from when my carb is acting up.
i think its the rear tires problem though, small specks of rubber get flung up and they stick to the frame and accumulate, also they look and smell like oil becusae the road is full of old oil. just my 2 cents
i think its the rear tires problem though, small specks of rubber get flung up and they stick to the frame and accumulate, also they look and smell like oil becusae the road is full of old oil. just my 2 cents
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Loves Park
RE: oil on frame
I had a similar problem where I blew a headgasket and when cruising down the hightway it would drip off the block and hit about the same spot, well that and my leg of course. On short rides not very noticible but I went on a good 4 hour ride and my jeans were covered as well as the swingarm.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
RE: oil on frame
Hummm....dunno. Sounds like the infamous air cleaner blow by leak, but it's on the wrong part of the bike for that.
Almost has to be either the rocker cover gasket, head gasket, or the gasket on the lower end of the rear jug. But you would think that would result in oil, in a few other places as well.
Edit: could possibly be from the Tranny. Change the tranny lub to Mobil 1 75w 90 gear oil (which is a good thing anyway). Then if it's the tranny, you can smell that stinky gear oil.
Almost has to be either the rocker cover gasket, head gasket, or the gasket on the lower end of the rear jug. But you would think that would result in oil, in a few other places as well.
Edit: could possibly be from the Tranny. Change the tranny lub to Mobil 1 75w 90 gear oil (which is a good thing anyway). Then if it's the tranny, you can smell that stinky gear oil.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,067
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From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
RE: oil on frame
Mine has a crank case vent in that area, it's a larger (maybe 3/8" hose) that comes out of the crank case right behind the back cylinder and curves down behind the cover almost directly above the derby cover, it looks like it keeps going but if you pull up on it a bit you see that it just ends there. If you have blow by it would cause oil to build up in the area your talking about after extended high RPM riding.
