I'm an idiot and now oil on pipe. Need advice!
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Stage IV
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I'm an idiot and now oil on pipe. Need advice!
Hi All
I have a 09 Classic with a SE air filter and Viper slip ons. Story is I washed my bike and as I always do I put a plastic bag over the air filter to keep it from getting wet. Well like a compete idiot I got finished and started it to pull back in to storage. It stalled and I started it again and it barely would make it while I was giving it gas. Then I found I had forgot to take the bag off the filter. I took it off and it ran fine. After about two weeks I went to go ride and found clean and clear, (I believe oil) puddled under the left tail pipe. (Shifter side) Right under that shock and even on the side of the pipe. Yet no traces running from the engine of the bike to the rear, I rode it around the block twice and parked it and no signs of any oil again. Note I had the oil changed about two weeks before washing it. Any guesses as I have to take it on a 200 mile trip soon. Thanks
I have a 09 Classic with a SE air filter and Viper slip ons. Story is I washed my bike and as I always do I put a plastic bag over the air filter to keep it from getting wet. Well like a compete idiot I got finished and started it to pull back in to storage. It stalled and I started it again and it barely would make it while I was giving it gas. Then I found I had forgot to take the bag off the filter. I took it off and it ran fine. After about two weeks I went to go ride and found clean and clear, (I believe oil) puddled under the left tail pipe. (Shifter side) Right under that shock and even on the side of the pipe. Yet no traces running from the engine of the bike to the rear, I rode it around the block twice and parked it and no signs of any oil again. Note I had the oil changed about two weeks before washing it. Any guesses as I have to take it on a 200 mile trip soon. Thanks
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 563
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, MO
Hmm... I really don't know for sure, but is it possible that the vacuum that was created by having the baggy over the intake & air cleaner somehow caused oil to "suck" somewhere it wasn't supposed to be?
Just a thought
Just a thought
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
From: Texas
The rear shocks have clear oil in them. Wonder if you got a leak? Oil will come out of the air line fitting if the line is not connected properly but I don't think the amount you described will unless the shock is damaged.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 190
Likes: 2
From: Central MA
Same thing happened to my left rear air shock. Just a coincidence as far as the bag over the air cleaner.
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Stage IV
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I will check the shock. I did feel around the shock and didnt notice and also put air in the shock and they seemed to hold air. Maybe I pulled something loose while cleaning it. Can the shocks be re-oiled if thats the case? If not, do you think it will hurt the bike to ride 200 miles with a bad shock as I am relocating this week?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
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From: Nevada
I once had a leaky shock on my '08 Ultra. I rode a week while waiting for a replacement. My bike felt a little quirky when cornering, but it handled fine otherwise. Riding two-up might force more oil from the shock. Check the air lines as others have suggested. Be careful not to overfill the shocks. Use a hand pump, not compressed air.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 3
From: NYC
I don't think its your shock. You just changed the oil two weeks earliers. I'm betting on it being engine oil. with a covered intake, the only way your bike can breath is by sucking air thru the case vents, which would bring in oil with it. check your tail pipe for eveidence of oil.
