I was only referring to it being a 5 minute fix if you're already there. The op is going to remove his outer/inner primary. So while thats off, spend the extra 5 minutes and 5 bucks to replace the common leaky shifter shaft seal.

 

I just checked with the service guy and he said they go ahead and replace all the seals in there while they have it apart. So they will replace the shifter seal regardless.

 

Damm, Mine just started leaking too and I am supposed to leave for Yellowstone Saturday morning. Does anyone know how serious this leak can be? Ya think I can go 4000 miles without damage? I am going to try to get it into the shop but odds are not good they can have it done in time.

 

I just happened to take my primary off last night (to replace the rear drive belt) I must be a slack a-- mechanic as it took me a LOT longer than 15 min!!! There are several places that these things can leak, all of the bolts inside the outer have sealer around them, there are 2 O-rings and 2 seals inside that can leak. Still, its not a big deal, I just couldn't make any money as far as speed goes, but then when you don't have a warrranty its nice to save the $85 per hour.

 

Heck, I just entered a long reply and I just realized that I forgot to save it. So here I go again.

They fixed the primary leak but didn't do a very good job putting things back together. I rode to Cleveland to visit Rock and Roll Hall of Fame over the weekend. I was heading back Sunday to Indianapolis when we decided to take a break north of Columbus, Ohio. We were riding down I-71 and took a exit north of I-270. Fortunately it was the exit where the Harley dealership is. I come off the exit and I find out I can't pull my clutch in. The lever is just hanging there limp as can be. I slipped it in to neutral and came to a stop at a gas station. My buddy rode over to dealership and they showed up in no time with the trailer. They took the bike and put it up on a lift right away. After taking the inspection plate off they see the nut on the clutch fell off. After fishing with a magnet they found the nut down in the primary case. Put the nut back on and I was on my way in less than an hour after stopping. This has to be the best breakdown I'll ever have - shop right were I broke down, mechanic on duty on a Sunday afternoon, great service from the shop, and the shop was still open. The service people at Farrow HD were great. And they didn't charge me for the tow and the bill was only about $21.

I tell my shop here in Indy what had happened. They want me to bring the bike back in and check the primary for any damage from the nut falling off. They also want a different mechanic to go over the entire bike again since they had also done the service on the bike at the same time they fixed the primary leak. BTW they said they would pay me back for the bill I got from Farrow. I don't know why the nut fell off. Did the mechanic just forget to tighten the nut, or did he not know what he was doing? I don't know, but I do know that I don't want that mechanic working on my bike again.

 

Harleys don't leak, they mark their spot. How much primary oil can you buy for 300 bucks.
Every Harley I ever owned marked a very thin spot between the size of a dime and a quarter when it sat overnight. I keep a piece of cardbord under the bike. When I change the primary fluid I still get almost a quart of old oil out of it.
AP