I have an '05 Ultra (20M miles) and have changedoils myself every 5000 miles.I use new James or Cometic gaskets each time.

Engine - Mobil V-twin
Tranny = Redline Shockproof Heavy
Primary = Redline MTL

Since there is no easy way of reading your primary oil level (wish there was a dipstick), I measure what gets drained out. And I drain it hot and move it all around to be sure it all comes out.

Last couple changes have been spot on - 32 ounces in and 32 ounces out.

This time after four months of riding, I am 4 ounces short. That occasional drop or two a dayseen in my garage recently apparently adds up over a few months. Can't make out the original color so its hard to tell which oil it is but I'm guessing primary.

Can't pinpoint the leak location exactly, but I know it is in that shifter seal vicinity and since the spring is shot and there seems to be allot of play in the linkage/shaft that is probably the place.

Would that be primary oil from that area??? Anyone else have a similar situation???

How low can the primary oil go before there is trouble??? Would you notice the clutch acting weird downa pint???


THANKS in advance. Dave H.

 

i dont think the primary is super critical for how much .....the chain will drag oil and the lower part of the front pulley is lower than the chain adjuster when its slappin loose....so i'm thinkin if you hear the chain slap you'll open it and see and i know the front pulley will still be draggin in the oil...the clutch uses oil to cool it, not lubricate it, shouldnt have a clutch prob with low oil

 

It could be where the alternator wires go through the primary at the left/front of the primary case. I just found the same thing on my bike, and instead of pulling the whole set-up (clutch, primary chain, front sprocket and alt.), I just drained it and took some Permatex Form-a-gasket and tried to fill it in around the lip or the rubber seal. There's no real pressure in there, so it may work. The bike is still apart so I don't know if it stopped the leak or not, but I will let you know in a week or two when I get her back together and take her out (1999 Electra Glide)alternator

Rob

 

NO the transmission shaft and shift lever do NOT enter the primary.
If you are low on primary fluid the problem is there.
Either a bad inner outer primary casting not likely
maybe a bad O'ring around the crank hub or clutch
Bad cover gasket or bad bolt or drain plug.
When I replace O'rings (crank hub etc) I coat with some silicone.
when I replace the gasket I use Hi tack purple liquid on the back side.
Over tightening of drain plug can distort the drain hole and leak there.

 

Mine has a slight leak from the seal behind the clutch. It leaks between the the primary and the final drive pulley. I will remove the outer primary, chain, compensator, and clutch to replaced the seal.I have heard of it before. Lucky me now mine is seeping.

 

ChooChoo Wrote:

NO the transmission shaft and shift lever do NOT enter the primary.
If you are low on primary fluid the problem is there.
Either a bad inner outer primary casting not likely
maybe a bad O'ring around the crank hub or clutch
Bad cover gasket or bad bolt or drain plug.
When I replace O'rings (crank hub etc) I coat with some silicone.
when I replace the gasket I use Hi tack purple liquid on the back side.
Over tightening of drain plug can distort the drain hole and leak there.


Answer:

Transmission shaft?

Shift lever?

Did you even read my post? I said it was probably the ALTERNATOR wires, which actually DO run OUT of the primary case at the front of it, just below that shift lever YOU were talking about. I know this because I have an earlier year of the SAME bike that dchoran has see, and I had the same problem see? Yeah, see, yeah....

Of course, RED E GLIDE could be right too. It might be the inner primary seal (behind the clutch).

I just read something interesting though that sounds like a great idea.

1) Clean your bike (engine), and I mean CLEAN IT..... CLEAN!

2) Sprinkle baby or talcum powder on it after COMPLETELY dry.

3) Ride it a little, pull over, and see EXACTLY where the leak is coming from.

4) Repair leak and for God's sake WASH THE DAMN BABY POWDER OFF IT!!!

If my repair (which I described in my other post) doesn't work, this is what I'm going to do.

By the way, the part number is 29999-97 in the 1999 FLT parts book (Your part number will likely be different because the factory changed the ALT a year or two after mine, but yours will look the same in your parts book, and it will show the rubber piece that is pushed THROUGH THE PRIMARY CASE from the inside).

ChooChoo, if you'd like to read my post again (or perhaps for the first time?) I except your apology in advance.

dchoran, good luck, I hope this helps

Rob

 

Simmer down there, Kimosabe.
choochoo wasn't jumping on your post.
The original post mentioned the shift shaft. That is what he was referring to.
Some people just click "Post Reply" tab instead of posting to a specific reply.

Now, regarding the shift shaft of the ORIGINAL post, there is no seal there. It doesn't enter the primary, as choochoo stated.

 

Well, Damn, BadPiggy....

Someone could have let me know....

I mean really.... I just sign up for this thing, answer a question in a perfectly logical manner, and get molestered by somebodies...... I won't take it anymore.....

I quit!

Wait.... Changed my mind..... I'm.... I'm staying!

I won't be run off by a bad piggy---or a good one!

And stop calling me Kimosabe! That's actually my name!

Call me,

Rob (instead of Kimosabe ----- I don't want the LR gettin' pissy with me.... You know, copyright laws and all...)

 

I hear baby powder is good for "chappedass" too