primary fluid leaking?
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Joined: Aug 2009
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primary fluid leaking?
Ok, I have an 02 RK and I notice that when I park the bike for several hours it leaks a couple droplets of primary fluid. When I feel around it feels wet right at the bottom of the primary near one of the bottom hex bolts. Any thoughts of why? Maybe a primary gasket needs replaced? How serious is this? Also, how do I actually check the primary fluid to tell if enough is in there? Sorry, new to working on bikes. Thanks,
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
I might not be primary fluid. Might be tranny fluid from the main shaft seal.
It ends up in the same location.
Or it could be primary fluid from your inspection cover, or as you said the primary cover gasket.
An over filled tranny can also cause thise.
I run Redline Shockproof in my trans. It is bright pink. No mixing it up with primary fluid.
It ends up in the same location.
Or it could be primary fluid from your inspection cover, or as you said the primary cover gasket.
An over filled tranny can also cause thise.
I run Redline Shockproof in my trans. It is bright pink. No mixing it up with primary fluid.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 1
From: cd. Obregon, Sonora, mx
Leaks are a pain in the A$$. Start with the easiest things first. Check the fluid levels first. Next check to see if the allen screws are tight or stripped at the bottom of your primary cover. Change out the primary cover gasket. If these things don't take care of your leak, your going to need a manual and some tools.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 697
Likes: 51
From: Clarington, Ontario
With your RK upright and the derby cover removed, the fluid should be just below the opening for the derby cover.
That's where you fill also.
Check the tightness of the bolts along the bottom of your primary, snug them up and don't strip them. Last fall I had a weep and just needed to snug up the bottom bolts.
That's where you fill also.
Check the tightness of the bolts along the bottom of your primary, snug them up and don't strip them. Last fall I had a weep and just needed to snug up the bottom bolts.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 75
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The fluid should actually be right at the bottom of the clutch diaphram spring. Pull the rubber vent hose off the transmission and check to see if it's dry.Overfilled trannys will vent oil out when they are cold. The most common place for a leak on those bikes is the shift shaft seal.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,473
Likes: 3,950
From: Vermont
Yeah the fluid is supposed to just cover the bottom of the clutch basket. Filling to just below the derby opening is overfilling!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 4
From: Oklahoma
The TC88 in my 02 Dyna had a primary drain plug with no flange or O-ring. It was on the bottom of the primary case and would leak a few drops like you describe. I tried Teflon tape, liquid pipe sealant, and high temp thread sealant, but nothing stopped it. Finally quit worrying about it.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
The TC88 in my 02 Dyna had a primary drain plug with no flange or O-ring. It was on the bottom of the primary case and would leak a few drops like you describe. I tried Teflon tape, liquid pipe sealant, and high temp thread sealant, but nothing stopped it. Finally quit worrying about it.
Before you go through all that oil checking and stuff, find a mirror that you can slide under the bike and see if the oil is coming from between the primary and transmission. If it is coming from there, I think its your shifter seal. Very common problem and very few 02's that haven't had that fixed. A few others have had the gasket between the primary and crankcase leak as well, but it is typically the shifter seal. About $350 (give or take) if you have a shop do it. About $50 (give or take) if you do it.
Beary