Leaky Head
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 558
Likes: 30
From: Clarksville, TN
Leaky Head
Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem. It's on the rear cylinder and I think it's just coming from the valve cover. Guess this will have to be a winter project. 2007 XL1200 LOW.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 1
From: manhattan beach
raising my hand... 2008 1200c- didnt even know i had it. took the bike in for some upgrades and the mechanic showed me the oil leaking from the rear cylinder near top of head. replaced 2 gaskets and fine so far. this was after about 6,000 miles on my bike. how many miles on yours when you saw it?
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Have the same problem here on my 883C, oil leaking from the rocker box on the rear cylinder.
Going to waite until next March to fix when I have the 1200 kit installed at the dealership.
I know it would be cheaper if I did this myself, but I don't trust myself to do it right and I know I dont have all the propper tools to do the job in my tool box.
I would rather pay someone to do the job right the first time than do it myself and have the bike down for 2 or 3 years.
Going to waite until next March to fix when I have the 1200 kit installed at the dealership.
I know it would be cheaper if I did this myself, but I don't trust myself to do it right and I know I dont have all the propper tools to do the job in my tool box.
I would rather pay someone to do the job right the first time than do it myself and have the bike down for 2 or 3 years.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 9
From: Streetsboro, Oh
Yeah this past July the rear head gasket on my XL50 started to seep as well as the rear rocker box gasket again. It ws blowing oil, but not leaking to where it was lowering compression. That happend at about 16K. Get it taken care of as soon as you can or the bike will start to run bad. They also do the base gasket at the same time.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
I'm guessing all these leaking rocker/head gaskets are from you EFI guys thinking it's just OK to start the scoot & take off ripping without letting the engine warm up properly. 
Been hearing of this more and more since EFI came on sporties. Whether it's carbed or EFI, the engine still needs a couple seconds to warm up before romping on the throttle. If you're mechanically inclined, it's an easy fix......'bout six to ten bolts and two gaskets. Older sporties have more bolts, rocker plates & gaskets. That rear is the tricky one though due to the lack of clearance between the backbone & head, but it will come out. And as Wraith stated, it should be a 2 to 3 hour job, but that's with this being your first time doing it & takinig your time with beer breaks.
Been hearing of this more and more since EFI came on sporties. Whether it's carbed or EFI, the engine still needs a couple seconds to warm up before romping on the throttle. If you're mechanically inclined, it's an easy fix......'bout six to ten bolts and two gaskets. Older sporties have more bolts, rocker plates & gaskets. That rear is the tricky one though due to the lack of clearance between the backbone & head, but it will come out. And as Wraith stated, it should be a 2 to 3 hour job, but that's with this being your first time doing it & takinig your time with beer breaks.
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Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 558
Likes: 30
From: Clarksville, TN
Well, I'm the second owner for this bike but I always warm up my bikes, EFI and carb, at least until the rocker covers are warm to the touch. Can't say what the previous owner did though. The wife and I went on a 4 day trip and it only started leaking at around the 6,000 mile mark.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 1
From: manhattan beach
good point about the warm up... mine only warms a few blocks until i get out on the main streets. could well be what caused mine to go. so maybe i will be a bit more gentle at the start-- or maybe i will just have to plan to replace the gaskets again in about 6,000 miles!