Leaking Tranny
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 460
Likes: 18
From: Rhode Island/Pensacola Florida
Sure enough, the two bolts holding the exhaust bracket are loose. In fact they are so loose I can wiggle them. Don't suppose there is a way to tighten them without taking the exhaust off?
At first I thought the leak was at the drain plug but I quickly figured out that it was coming from somewhere near the exhaust bracket. I wiped the bottom of the bike dry, went for a long ride and waited. The bike was dry when I returned home but the next morning I had drips from the drain plug (lowest point) and oil on the exhaust (the high point). No way the oil would have traveled UP to the highest point just sitting on the kick stand. The source of the leak may not be where the drip appears, a little detective work may help find the source.
At first I thought the leak was at the drain plug but I quickly figured out that it was coming from somewhere near the exhaust bracket. I wiped the bottom of the bike dry, went for a long ride and waited. The bike was dry when I returned home but the next morning I had drips from the drain plug (lowest point) and oil on the exhaust (the high point). No way the oil would have traveled UP to the highest point just sitting on the kick stand. The source of the leak may not be where the drip appears, a little detective work may help find the source.
Last edited by flhrbill; Sep 21, 2012 at 05:09 AM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 785
Likes: 63
From: TX
Sure enough, the two bolts holding the exhaust bracket are loose. In fact they are so loose I can wiggle them. Don't suppose there is a way to tighten them without taking the exhaust off?
At first I thought the leak was at the drain plug but I quickly figured out that it was coming from somewhere near the exhaust bracket. I wiped the bottom of the bike dry, went for a long ride and waited. The bike was dry when I returned home but the next morning I had drips from the drain plug (lowest point) and oil on the exhaust (the high point). No way the oil would have traveled UP to the highest point just sitting on the kick stand. The source of the leak may not be where the drip appears, a little detective work may help find the source.
At first I thought the leak was at the drain plug but I quickly figured out that it was coming from somewhere near the exhaust bracket. I wiped the bottom of the bike dry, went for a long ride and waited. The bike was dry when I returned home but the next morning I had drips from the drain plug (lowest point) and oil on the exhaust (the high point). No way the oil would have traveled UP to the highest point just sitting on the kick stand. The source of the leak may not be where the drip appears, a little detective work may help find the source.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
You need a miniature ratchet with a 1/4" hex drive and a 1/4" hex bit to reach the two allen screws located behind the exhaust pipe. I removed the carriage bolt of the hanger to put never seize between the two plated that form the hanger, to prevent rust. Lock the carriage bolt after you fastened the allen screws and you'll be OK.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
Always thought Castol products were red like ATF?
My point, if correct, would indicate it's not the tranny with Harley tranny fluid / Formula plus that's leaking. The leak is red.
What am I missing here?
Last edited by JohnnyC; Oct 8, 2012 at 03:27 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,432
Likes: 290
From: FL
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 9,254
Likes: 283
From: Lake City, Florida (Native)
I'm a bit confused ... Harley Tranny Fluid is Formula Plus and it's dark oil colored, not red.
Always thought Castol products were red like ATF?
My point, if correct, would indicate it's not the tranny with Harley tranny fluid / Formula plus that's leaking. The leak is red.
What am I missing here?
Always thought Castol products were red like ATF?
My point, if correct, would indicate it's not the tranny with Harley tranny fluid / Formula plus that's leaking. The leak is red.
What am I missing here?
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Texas
I'm a bit confused ... Harley Tranny Fluid is Formula plus and it's dark oil colored, not red.
Always thought Castol products were red like ATF?
My point, if correct, would indicate it's not the tranny with Harley tranny fluid / Formula plus that's leaking. The leak is red.
What am I missing here?
Always thought Castol products were red like ATF?
My point, if correct, would indicate it's not the tranny with Harley tranny fluid / Formula plus that's leaking. The leak is red.
What am I missing here?
Formula+ works just fine in the tranny, been using it for almost 80k miles.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 610
Likes: 82
From: Indiana
My 09 model did the same thing. Guess I could have gotten some specialty tool to tighten things back done without removing the exhaust but I wanted to ensure I put a torque wrench to it. I just grabbed a couple beers and enjoyed a couple hours getting to know the ol' girl.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 91
Likes: 14
So far I have fixed 3 of these trans bolt leaks ( 2009,2010 and 2012 baggers). All 3 had been to local Harley stealers for their 5,000 and 10,000 services. That service bulletin has been out for almost 2 years ( I think)and yet the dealer "mechanics" had failed to ck/tighten these bolts. You can get to them with the heat shield removed and using a long ball end allen 3/8" drive or the stubby allen with wrench. All 3 bikes were under warranty