So, in trying to figure out where oil has been leaking from and ruining my shiny chrome and side covers, I've just discovered it appears to be the head gasket. (1999 FLHTP)
I'm going to thoroughly wash it and try to see if indeed it's the head gasket (originally thought it was breather), but in the mean time, few questions for the more experienced:

1. If it is the head gasket, how much of a deal is it? Can I continue to ride, or need to fix/replace ASAP?

2. If I've never done this before, how long do you estimate it would take to replace both head gaskets? (figure if I'm doing one, may as well do the other too). I have the service manual. I'm assuming I only need to remove the gas tanks and not take the motor out.

3. Any other tips or gotcha's that I should look out for? I searched the forums and there are some good tips and suggestions. Anything else?

4. How do I stop myself from the classic "well, since I'm doing this, may as well (insert additional work here) too"

Thanks!

 

If you're otherwise happy with the performance, don't do mods just fix the issue. However, I will say (mileage dependent) I would check the cam tensioners and if necessary change those and the bearings while you already have the pushrods out. It's not awful hard to change the gaskets, good time to freshen up the top end gaskets anyway. Also mileage dependent could throw in a new set of lifters.

 

Thanks. She's got 33k miles / 54k kms.

 

Definitely time for tensioner check

 

...it is the head gasket
Can I continue to ride, or need to fix/replace ASAP? If I ride, what, if any, damage can happen to the engine??

 

Can anyone tell me if I'll damage the motor in any way if I don't replace it anytime soon?

 

If it is indeed a head gasket it could suck air, and waste a piston, or burn a valve. I would not ride it.

 

OK, I'm probably showing my ignorance but how is there any oil in the combustion chamber to leak out through the head gasket? IMHO, if there's oil leaking from the head gasket then the bike should be running like crap with a loss of compression and a lot of blue smoke following you around.

Valve guide seals, maybe. At any rate, you probably wouldn't want to be riding a lot with it running like that and if I was going to do the work myself, I wouldn't want to ride it til it was fixed. How long has it been leaking?

Could you be using the wrong terminology and it's the rocker box cover that's leaking?

 

Do you mean it is a rocker box gasket, or a cylinder head gasket.
A cylinder head gasket will not BLOW oil out, it might seep a little oil. A rocker box can spew oil.

 

There are channels for the oil from the head to drain, if the HG goes close to them it will cause oil all over the engine. When you replace them, go with a MLS head gasket (multi layered steel). Cometic is a good gasket.

Toby