Valve Cover leak
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Valve Cover leak
I have an oil leak from my valve cover on the front cylinder. It's a 98 XL1200 but only has 1200 miles on it. It obviously sat a lot. Would it sitting be a reason for the gasket to go bad? It only leaks after a ride on the left side and the spot on the ground is between the frame and front tire. Mainly because that is how it is leaned on the side stand. Also, is this a major fix or will it be reasonable? I will probably have the Stealer look at it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,351
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RE: Valve Cover leak
I did my rocker covers myself. I learned a lot about the bike in the process. If you have basic skills you can do it yourself. You need the METAL Gasket kit, and an HD service manual for your bike and various tools including a torque wrench. (You can rent them)
Gaskets = $38
HD Manual = $58
Torq Rental= $ 6
--------
$102
Stealer averages $180+ to do the job.
The Manual + the experience you will gain in my book is priceless. The gaskets that you have now are FIBER. They get very brittle and then leak. I have a 2001 Sporty and did mine this summer. You should do both front and back. The Metal gaskets are fix and forget. If you do it right you will never have to bother with them again. I have had zero leakage since and I put 3000 miles on my bike in the 1 month I had to ride it this summer. (Accident rebuild, mods, etc)
When I first got the bike I was intimidated by it and was worried about wrenchin on it. Once I got the HD service manual that changed quickly. The more I do, the more I want to do. I have always been a wrencher but not on such an expensive piece of machinery. Now, I wouldn't let anyone touch it except myself and those I trust.
The only thing I have to mod on the bike right now from the accident is my fork sliders and I will have to have a shop do that because I do not have a fork compression tool, nor do I want one. ;-)
Gaskets = $38
HD Manual = $58
Torq Rental= $ 6
--------
$102
Stealer averages $180+ to do the job.
The Manual + the experience you will gain in my book is priceless. The gaskets that you have now are FIBER. They get very brittle and then leak. I have a 2001 Sporty and did mine this summer. You should do both front and back. The Metal gaskets are fix and forget. If you do it right you will never have to bother with them again. I have had zero leakage since and I put 3000 miles on my bike in the 1 month I had to ride it this summer. (Accident rebuild, mods, etc)
When I first got the bike I was intimidated by it and was worried about wrenchin on it. Once I got the HD service manual that changed quickly. The more I do, the more I want to do. I have always been a wrencher but not on such an expensive piece of machinery. Now, I wouldn't let anyone touch it except myself and those I trust.
The only thing I have to mod on the bike right now from the accident is my fork sliders and I will have to have a shop do that because I do not have a fork compression tool, nor do I want one. ;-)
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
RE: Valve Cover leak
Do you have a part number or brand name for the metal gasket set for the rocker covers?
ORIGINAL: GothMetalGuitarist
I did my rocker covers myself. I learned a lot about the bike in the process. If you have basic skills you can do it yourself. You need the METAL Gasket kit, and an HD service manual for your bike and various tools including a torque wrench. (You can rent them)
Gaskets = $38
HD Manual = $58
Torq Rental= $ 6
--------
$102
Stealer averages $180+ to do the job.
The Manual + the experience you will gain in my book is priceless. The gaskets that you have now are FIBER. They get very brittle and then leak. I have a 2001 Sporty and did mine this summer. You should do both front and back. The Metal gaskets are fix and forget. If you do it right you will never have to bother with them again. I have had zero leakage since and I put 3000 miles on my bike in the 1 month I had to ride it this summer. (Accident rebuild, mods, etc)
When I first got the bike I was intimidated by it and was worried about wrenchin on it. Once I got the HD service manual that changed quickly. The more I do, the more I want to do. I have always been a wrencher but not on such an expensive piece of machinery. Now, I wouldn't let anyone touch it except myself and those I trust.
The only thing I have to mod on the bike right now from the accident is my fork sliders and I will have to have a shop do that because I do not have a fork compression tool, nor do I want one. ;-)
I did my rocker covers myself. I learned a lot about the bike in the process. If you have basic skills you can do it yourself. You need the METAL Gasket kit, and an HD service manual for your bike and various tools including a torque wrench. (You can rent them)
Gaskets = $38
HD Manual = $58
Torq Rental= $ 6
--------
$102
Stealer averages $180+ to do the job.
The Manual + the experience you will gain in my book is priceless. The gaskets that you have now are FIBER. They get very brittle and then leak. I have a 2001 Sporty and did mine this summer. You should do both front and back. The Metal gaskets are fix and forget. If you do it right you will never have to bother with them again. I have had zero leakage since and I put 3000 miles on my bike in the 1 month I had to ride it this summer. (Accident rebuild, mods, etc)
When I first got the bike I was intimidated by it and was worried about wrenchin on it. Once I got the HD service manual that changed quickly. The more I do, the more I want to do. I have always been a wrencher but not on such an expensive piece of machinery. Now, I wouldn't let anyone touch it except myself and those I trust.
The only thing I have to mod on the bike right now from the accident is my fork sliders and I will have to have a shop do that because I do not have a fork compression tool, nor do I want one. ;-)
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 656
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Valve Cover leak
If you get it from harley, I beleive they'll only give you the metal rocker gaskets now. I had to replace the rear cyclinder one when I got my bike, and the new metal gasket is connected in one peice, instead of two seperate gaskets for both sides of the rockerbox, making it a little easier to install. But yeah, definately get yourself a manual and do it yourself, it's a pretty simple job.
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