When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
The only thing that's obvious and the reason for the tear down in the first place is the visible wet spot on the back of the inner primary. The main shaft seal is leaking. Noticed some drips on the floor and hit my knees with my hands in the air, screaming "Why, Lord... Whhhhyyyy!" As you can imagine, that didn't do ANY good so I figured I needed to take matters into my own hands. Nothing else is wrong that I can see but I'm going to replace all the seals and the main shaft bearing and race, shifter bushings, and perhaps the clutch plates and belt. Why tear it apart again in 20K. Primary chain and tensioner look fine and so does the compensator. No broken or missing teeth on anything. It pretty much looks good as new.
Other than the things mentioned, what else should I replace that I'm not thinking of. The bike has 75K and I've had it since new with VERY meticulous maintenance. Honestly, it's bordering on a disorder. ?
It will have most of the wear parts to the inner primary you would need, in order to remove & replace the Inner & outer primary.
I believe it comes with the starter o-ring. It also has the five inner primary case bolts with the sealing bolt heads, which normally cost $5 each. Unless your dealer does parts mark-up over HD MSRP, it should cost $68.58. That is cheaper than buying all those parts separately.
The gasket set doesn't include the outer primary cover gasket, but that can often be reused if not damaged when removed. It does include a new derby cover gasket.
If you want/need to replace the shifter shaft seal, that will need to be purchased extra.
Last edited by hattitude; Nov 22, 2025 at 08:35 PM.
Has the compensator ever been changed? I think 12 was better than earlier years but still had some issues. If I had it apart I'd at least replace the springs. Also might think about the chain tensioner.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
What should I replace?
