Ok, so I have a problem with my primary. No one seems to be able to help, and it is quite a head scratcher. It started of as what I thought was a little leak, one I attributed to a crappy seal at the inspection cover. It would leak from it, only when running. Once stopped, nothing. (this was the only place it was leaking, as the derby cover is sealed, and the inner n outer are sealed as well)

It is a 2002 Sporty, 883 with a 1200 conversion. Have an S&S air cleaner, homemade (thanks to this forum) 2 into 1 exaust, and nothing else. Been jetted but that the extent of any major motor work (other than the 1200 swap)

So, last weekend, coming back from a ride, I noticed that my pants had all of a sudden gotten wet on the left side. Turns out, the damn primary fluid was being pushed up the damn clutch cable, and being forced out the clutch lever/switch housing. To add insult to injury, it blew out the seal (o-ring) on the inspection cover and started to leak like it was not even there. Needless to say, I was covered in primary oil by the time I got home.

The level had been checked several times, so it had exactly the right amount of fluid. I have double checked all the sealing surfaces of the inner n outer covers, derby is sealed, etc. I have heard of a primary blow-by/breather hose, that is suppose to have some sort of filter, but I am unable to find it. What the hell else could cause what seems to be extreme pressure build up in the primary/tranny?

 

Mine leaks out of the clutch cable as well.. damn o ring.

there is a vent tube for your primary though, make sure that it is not caped or clogged or anything

 

Where the hell is it? I cannot find any vent tubes coming off the primary. Am I just blind or missing it?

Also, how bad does it leak from the cable?

 

Back of the engine. If it would stop pouring I would go and take a picture i need to reroute mine anyway.

Harley has a service bulletin about re-routing

see if that helps you out at all. if not I will pop out in the rain and take a pic

http://www.techbill.net/Harley/docs/M1103.pdf

 

Look back on your engine case near the rear cylinder, there should be a metal hose fitting with a black hose that runs up by your oil tank, under your seat. The hose needs to be open to atmosphere, not plugged or attached to the oil tank by mistake. It just vents up, maybe occasionally spitting a bit (mine does) onto the top of the swingarm just in front of the tire. Maybe a previous owner mixed up the oil tank vent line (which goes into the cam case side) with the transmission/primary vent line, which needs to be open.

John

 

OK as soon as the damn rain stop here too, I will take a look. Thanks for the help! What about the phantom filter I have heard about? Does it exist?

 

Get the factory service, parts and diagnostic manuals.

 

phantom filter?

 

Have been told there is a filter that is attached to the breather hose that has a tendency to clog up. No dice on the location (if it exists, which sound kinda dumb to me)

Have a manual, its as help full as beer farts for this particular problem.

 

I need to take apart my bike tonight to re route the breather tube so I can take a picture for you... Right now mine is puking all over my rear tire... Terrible surprise 50 miles from home