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.

 

Glad to know it's a common thing. Wiped my SG down this morning. Put it on the jack to keep it level and sure enough it is the exhaust hanger bolt on trans leaking.

 

Same here on my '09 Ultra- but I couldn't find a way with the few tools I had to get on the bolts squarely enough to suit me, so I yanked the exhaust off... it took a couple of days of wiping and riding to locate the actual source

 

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.

 

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?

 

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.

 

Formula + is a Primary Fluid at least for me it is, no way putting it in the Tranny ..

 

Glad someone else noticed that - HD makes no pink/red fluids that I am aware of, unless '09's and later have something special in them. Formula+, HD's tranny and primary fluid is dark colored like gear oil. Possible the OP's dealer was selling Redline?

Formula+ works just fine in the tranny, been using it for almost 80k miles.

 

Mine did it at 3+k. dealer fixed if for $30.

 

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