2010 Ultra Limited trans leak!!
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 514
Likes: 13
From: North of the 49th parallel (Canada)
Wow. Ya' gotta' love this forum.
For 4 days I've been trying to find the reason I'm getting drops of transmission fluid on the garage floor as well as under the bike when I stop after a ride. After reading this chat, I go out to the bike a lo and behold, the two bracket screws are loose. Tightened them up and hopefully the problem is solved.
For 4 days I've been trying to find the reason I'm getting drops of transmission fluid on the garage floor as well as under the bike when I stop after a ride. After reading this chat, I go out to the bike a lo and behold, the two bracket screws are loose. Tightened them up and hopefully the problem is solved.
Novice
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Kingwood, Texas
2010 Ultra Limited trans leak
As mentioned below by another member, my 2006 rk classic had a bad clutch cable. The leak was in the crimp area on the metal adapter to black rubberized cable shielding on the cable where it goes into the transmission. Cure - cable replacement.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 997
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte, N.C.
I did not want to have to worry about it again, I did not use a copious amount just a dab, I use the blue stuff for cosmetic bolts only, but anything that will be subjected to a higher level of vibration or stress I use the red stuff.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
At 5100 miles, I noticed a couple of drops of what looked like oil under my 2010 Ultra. The oil looked like engine oil, but I was fooled because it came from the bottom of clutch cable cover and was running along the bottom of the oil pan and dripping off the engine oil plug. Low and behold, I determined it was transmission oil, and yes, the two bolts holding on the header bracket were very very loose! This occurred after a 1,000 mile trip of pretty hard running in very hot weather. It was easy to see the oil seeping out under the cover at the seal in the area of these bolts. I have re-tightened the two bolts with a modified Allen wrench for now. When I replace the header in the near future, I plan to replace these bolts with Grade 8 hex heads with lock washers and properly torque. As another poster indicated, they are out of site anyway and these two bolts get a hell of a lot of vibration plus some heat conductivity from the header itself. So they have to endure some stresses that the other bolts on this cover escape. This is a very ridiculous shitty design by HD, especially when you consider these bolts also break the integrity of the transmission fluid compartment. Does HD really have mechanical engineers on staff or what? Anyway, we live and learn and move on.
I have a 2010 Limtied, where exactly should I look for this leak and if it is not leaking now, when will it be? I have a month an a half ride planned. My bike only has 1300 miles on it. SHould I be worried? After reading this I am. I'm a notorious worry wart for things that could happen, and tend to be a little overly concerned when reading about stuff that goes worng with HD because this is my first and I have not had ample time to get to know the machine the way that I should.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 265
Likes: 11
From: Montréal, Québec, Canada
Happened to my 2008 RK after 12000 miles. Oil leak and both Allen bolts were found loose. I had to removed the pipes (I think with the new frame, you can get access to the bolts without removing the pipes), locktited blue the bolts and retorqued properly. No problem since last year.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
I told the HD Inventory Manager that I was a newbie to HD World and I was concerned about the fluid leak issues that have plagued HD since the beginning. His response was, "The new Harley's don't leak any more."
I owned my Yamaha Road Star for 5 years (bought it new and paid half the price of a new HD touring model), did my own wrenching, and never had a single issue of any kind.
This thread now has me worried.
