Purchased my '03 Ultrathis pastDecember with 4200 miles. First thing I did was replace all fluids. Existing trans fluid was original and trans did not leak. Well, now I have a leak fromI believe the mainshaft seal. Usually get a drip or two after a decent ride. I'm told that leaks on a bike with such low mileage is uncommon.

The service manual specifies using SEMI-SYNTHETIC TANSMISSION LUBRICANT. GL-5 is FULLY SYNTHETIC. Could the GL-5 cause this problem? Hate to pull the bike apart due to a few drips, as I understand this to be a fairly difficult job. Should I look at going back to a SEMI-SYNTHETIC?

Thanks in advance for your asssitance.

 

The seals could have dried out from the bike sitting, but I have found that trans leaks are difficult to see and that the few that I have seen it has always been the lower bolts on the trap door have been loose. These bolts hold a bracket for the exhaust pipe. I'd check and see if there tight first.

 

How much did you refill the tranny with? Isay that you probably added a wee bit too much oil on the refill.

If I remember right, for my '05 at least, the trans takes 24 ounces. I had the same leak you do after a trans fluid change. I eventually discovered that it was too much fluid. Now I add 22 ounces and no more leaks the past couple trans oil changes.

I think when the manual said 24 ounces thats a dry fill. A refill of 24 ounces ends up overfiling it - at least in my case... it's worth looking into for you.

 

The fluids today have additives to swell seals,and will not cause leaks.

 

Seals can go bad.
When my father inlaw bought his new Road King Classic,it was back in the shop 2 weeks laterfor a leaky primary seal.

 

Hey Arizona,

I assume that an overfill would cause fluid to leak from what appears to be a black rubber vent tube (left side of bike above the trans shaft). This tube is dry and clean. I've checked my level when cold. Does not appear to be overfilled. Only work I've done on the bike since changing fluid in December is:
[ul][*]Lower rear of bike 1" using 12" shocks vs. stock 13"[*]Replace the motor mount[/ul]
Not happy about it, but I can deal with a drip. Concern is that I've a few long trips coming up, and don't want this thing to get worse or blow out completely when on the road. That being said, I also do not have the time or extra $$$ to have this thing pulled apart unnecessarily.

Thanks