gear oil smell
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 543
Likes: 92
From: clinton CT
gear oil smell
Curious what might be the issue. After the bike is good and hot and coming to a stop, there is a decent smell of gear oil. I have read that it is just vapor from the tranny hose. I am concerned that there is something else going on. This has been going on before the the issue i had with finding neutral. So even though all the fluids are changed and at proper levels adjustments are right on with clutch and everything is running smooth...finding neutral is still sticky at points when it is real hot. Just curious what everyones thoughts are.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 67
From: USA
Unsure what you ride, but I experience the same when my 2003 Ultra runs hot. Slight gear oil leak from trans seal behind rear of primary. Not enough for me to worry about or pull apart. You may want to check that spot for residue on your bike.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 800
Likes: 408
From: Middle Tennessee
If you find no leaks then I would blame the vent hose. Mine does it off and on, I kinda like the smell actually.
Probably related to speed and temperature but that's just a guess on my part.
A leak could drip to the exhaust crossover and one or two drops would smell strong for a long ime.
Probably related to speed and temperature but that's just a guess on my part.
A leak could drip to the exhaust crossover and one or two drops would smell strong for a long ime.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 342
From: Virginia Beach
Trending Topics
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 574
Likes: 156
From: Big Sky Country
Gear lube certainly is odorous, though you could count me in the camp that would characterize it as "malodorous". Haven't ever noticed that on mine, though it doesn't tend to get super hot.
Re finding neutral, I didn't see your earlier thread/post so sorry if this is redundant, but I've recently found clutch adjustment does make a huge difference in that regard--and that when there's too little free play it's EASY to find neutral, so it's a very fine balance to maintain.
Re finding neutral, I didn't see your earlier thread/post so sorry if this is redundant, but I've recently found clutch adjustment does make a huge difference in that regard--and that when there's too little free play it's EASY to find neutral, so it's a very fine balance to maintain.
Last edited by ratpick; Jun 10, 2018 at 10:31 AM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,031
Likes: 7,152
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
The ingredient that is in gear oil in sulphur.
Sulphur is used because of it's load carrying ability. It works well, as long as it never sees water. If it has water, then it becomes acidic and can etch just about everything it comes in contact with. Think bearings...
Sulphur is used because of it's load carrying ability. It works well, as long as it never sees water. If it has water, then it becomes acidic and can etch just about everything it comes in contact with. Think bearings...
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 543
Likes: 92
From: clinton CT
The only issue I have had recently was that the bike(ultra) seems to want to roll forward at a light and that is with the clutch fully pulled in. I don't know if I need to change the adjustment again at the clutch.