07 Nightster....leaky
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 313
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From: BK
07 Nightster....leaky
I was reading around and thought I would post my own problem because I couldn't believe Harley still had this issue with leaky engines.
My first bike was a 81 XLH Sporty and that thing leaked like crazy.
So I go and buy a nice reliable 2007 Nightster. So last week I take my bike out for a ride when im home on spring break. Its about 50 or so out in upstate NY and when I get back there is oil down the side of my bike. Great. So I wipe it off and hope it doesn't come back, of course it does. So now both tops of the Rocker boxes are leaking, not to bad but i'm going to have to replace the gaskets. My bike only has 14k on it, which I didn't think was that much for a newer Harley. Does this bother anyone else out there because according to some other forums this is a semi-common thing on 07 Nightsters.
On the positive side it gives me a reason to powdercoat the upper rocker box
My first bike was a 81 XLH Sporty and that thing leaked like crazy.
So I go and buy a nice reliable 2007 Nightster. So last week I take my bike out for a ride when im home on spring break. Its about 50 or so out in upstate NY and when I get back there is oil down the side of my bike. Great. So I wipe it off and hope it doesn't come back, of course it does. So now both tops of the Rocker boxes are leaking, not to bad but i'm going to have to replace the gaskets. My bike only has 14k on it, which I didn't think was that much for a newer Harley. Does this bother anyone else out there because according to some other forums this is a semi-common thing on 07 Nightsters.
On the positive side it gives me a reason to powdercoat the upper rocker box
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 28
From: Allyn, WA
Bugs the heck out of me that a lot of Sportster riders just pass this off as part of Harley ownership. We should never be willing to accept poor quality from an American manufacturer. We would never tolerate having a brand new car start leaking in only a few thousand miles. We certainly wouldn't pass it off as having "character". But when it comes to Harley, it's not only tolerated, it seems as if it's expected.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: BK
Bugs the heck out of me that a lot of Sportster riders just pass this off as part of Harley ownership. We should never be willing to accept poor quality from an American manufacturer. We would never tolerate having a brand new car start leaking in only a few thousand miles. We certainly wouldn't pass it off as having "character". But when it comes to Harley, it's not only tolerated, it seems as if it's expected.
Bugs the heck out of me that a lot of Sportster riders just pass this off as part of Harley ownership. We should never be willing to accept poor quality from an American manufacturer. We would never tolerate having a brand new car start leaking in only a few thousand miles. We certainly wouldn't pass it off as having "character". But when it comes to Harley, it's not only tolerated, it seems as if it's expected.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 179
Likes: 1
From: NW Pennsylvania
Not just a common problem but an expected one.
I replaced both mine due to leaks at 7400 miles.
According to the search i did on this forum Harley used inferior rocker cover gaskets for years, even after knowing they were bad.
I replaced both mine due to leaks at 7400 miles.
According to the search i did on this forum Harley used inferior rocker cover gaskets for years, even after knowing they were bad.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: BK
Its amazing the stuff companies will do to save a few bucks.
my nighty weaps out of the shifter foot lever. Dealer said they replaced the warrantied gasket and fixed it but sure enough it still weaps and I'm just dealing with it. its more work to deal with slow crappy dealers than it is to just fix it when it breaks....
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 7
Question for you; have you ever tightened them down? I'm not saying that they should leak, but hopefully at least once in 14K you have taken a wrench to every single fastener on your bike's exterior and retorqued them. Most every single engine bolt on my bike was at least a 1/4-1/2 turn from properly tight on my bike after a few thousand miles.
I do this regularly. It is a good way to get to know your bike, you might be amazed at what is about to fall off your bike.
Why do we tolerate it? I don't know.
I do this regularly. It is a good way to get to know your bike, you might be amazed at what is about to fall off your bike.
Why do we tolerate it? I don't know.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: BK
Question for you; have you ever tightened them down? I'm not saying that they should leak, but hopefully at least once in 14K you have taken a wrench to every single fastener on your bike's exterior and retorqued them. Most every single engine bolt on my bike was at least a 1/4-1/2 turn from properly tight on my bike after a few thousand miles.
I do this regularly. It is a good way to get to know your bike, you might be amazed at what is about to fall off your bike.
Why do we tolerate it? I don't know.
I do this regularly. It is a good way to get to know your bike, you might be amazed at what is about to fall off your bike.
Why do we tolerate it? I don't know.
. I have only owned it for about 3k miles so hopefully the owner before me did but who knows. I'm still going to change the seals, but definitely a good suggestion.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,808
Likes: 3
You do bring up a very good point there. Why is it for Harley that we all make the exception.
However, 16000 miles on my 09 iron has only seen two speedometers break and one battery terminal rot off, so there have been no engine problems and I hope there never will be.