Odd Leak/Drip Question??
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,934
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From: Ontario, Canada
Odd Leak/Drip Question??
OK...still new to Harleys and learning so this question may seem strange but here goes.
Last rode my bike about 100 miles on Sunday...it's getting quite cool here in the north. For the last couple of mornings, I've noticed a small puddle of what seems to be water under my bike...left side. First day or two I did a quick look underneath and everything seemed dry so just passed it off. There again this morning (much smaller puddle though) so I jacked the bike up, did a closer inspection and noticed a very small drip coming off the frame under the belt cover...just ahead of the rear tire. Being an air cooled engine, there is no coolant and the only other fluids would be oil...correct? It's clear and has no taste...yes I dipped my finger in it and tasted it
Any ideas??
Last rode my bike about 100 miles on Sunday...it's getting quite cool here in the north. For the last couple of mornings, I've noticed a small puddle of what seems to be water under my bike...left side. First day or two I did a quick look underneath and everything seemed dry so just passed it off. There again this morning (much smaller puddle though) so I jacked the bike up, did a closer inspection and noticed a very small drip coming off the frame under the belt cover...just ahead of the rear tire. Being an air cooled engine, there is no coolant and the only other fluids would be oil...correct? It's clear and has no taste...yes I dipped my finger in it and tasted it
Any ideas??
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 17
From: Orange, VA,
Wash it lately? Or ride in the rain? Maybe water got inside the swing arm as Mike was saying.
I would also think twice about tasting any water looking fluid under my bike, first thought came to me was battery acid,it looks like clear water, would hate to taste that lol.
I would also think twice about tasting any water looking fluid under my bike, first thought came to me was battery acid,it looks like clear water, would hate to taste that lol.
Last edited by fwb35; Oct 22, 2014 at 10:42 AM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,934
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From: Ontario, Canada
Definitely not oil. It's parked in my garage.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 320
Likes: 48
From: Mobile, AL
Like mrfikser says....there is a weep hole in the swing arm under the belt guard to let the frame drain any internal moisture.
Mine (2011 UC) had a hole in the plastic belt guard that did not align (go figure) with the hole in the swing arm so I took it off, enlarged the hole in the belt guard and put it back on.
I also check at every service that the hole is not clogged.
Mine (2011 UC) had a hole in the plastic belt guard that did not align (go figure) with the hole in the swing arm so I took it off, enlarged the hole in the belt guard and put it back on.
I also check at every service that the hole is not clogged.
Last edited by HogglyWoggly; Oct 22, 2014 at 11:06 AM.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 722
From: Ontario, Canada
Thanks for all the responses!
Yah...thought it might be some sort of condensation. Don't think there's an exhaust leak but will double check.
This was my first thought but haven't washed the bike (with water) in a couple of weeks and Sundays ride was cool (45*'ish) but sunny & dry. That being said, I may have rode through some water somewhere that I didn't notice.
Battery acid did cross my mind...could have dripped out the vent line (I assume the battery has a vent line on it). Not to worry, was a very small bit on my finger tip...was willing to take the risk. Again...tasteless like water.
If condensation though I would have thought maybe the first day after my ride but not 3 days now. And the amount seemed to be a bit much for condensation. Mind you it's a small puddle getting smaller each morning.
Still perplexed
Battery acid did cross my mind...could have dripped out the vent line (I assume the battery has a vent line on it). Not to worry, was a very small bit on my finger tip...was willing to take the risk. Again...tasteless like water.
If condensation though I would have thought maybe the first day after my ride but not 3 days now. And the amount seemed to be a bit much for condensation. Mind you it's a small puddle getting smaller each morning.
Still perplexed
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
wonder if this is related to the cat pee thread that was floating around a couple of weeks ago.. so yeah I'd be afraid to taste it! 