This past weekend I was out for a ride on my 05' electra glide on a solo run I went to take a right hand turn from a dead stop and I got caught in a gravel embankment which sucked me in and took me over the bike layed on its clutch side for hrs until I could get someone to help me get her up and out!! My question is could I have done any engine damage? It started right up and I rode it about a mile to a friends house and shut her down when I started it up and rode it there was a ticking noise like in the lifters or something which was never there before. So if ya lay a bike down and it sits on its side for a period of time should there be a proper procedure before u restart it? As to not damage any engine components?

 

I doubt there would be any damage or problems...it could be your nerves are frayed and you are looking for sasquatch.

after it's been upright awhile...check all the fluid levels...see that all the right fluids stayed in all the right places


get a pal to ride it for a 2nd opinion.

Mike

 

Agree with MK, I would make sure all the fluid levels are good, didn't mix, no external leaks, clean her up good and ride the crap out of it. Should be good man, harley's are tough.

 

how do you get sucked into a ditch not being mean just really curious

 

It doesn't seem likely that there is engine damage especially if there was no real impact involved. Glad you're okay.

 

Glad you're OK. Hopefully the bike didn't take too much. On the same line as bigsmos, hope the bad situation proved a good learning opportunity for you. None of us is perfect - learn from the bad crap that happens to you.

No external leaks = likely NO problems at all. If it started and ran, you should be fine.

 

I like to treat them like a refrigerator, after you stand it upright, allow some time for the oil to flow back down where it belongs. You have already started it and rode it and it sounds like it is ok. The lifter tick could have simply been oil leaving the lifter for another reason. if it started and the lifter pumped up all is good.

I loaded 2 dressers into my 6x12 trailer once. We had the bikes kinda tilted ot avoid rubbing the interior walls and or the other bike. My '03 went in quiet and normal but when we pulled it out and started it had a tick. I am convinced that the angle of the bike over the many miles in the trailer allowed oil to flow down out of the lifter and leave it dry.

That was maybe 5 years ago and those lifter are still working just fine. My proposal is ride it until the problem is there every time you start it.

 

(Update) I did have an external minor leak, when I went to check all the fluids the engine oil seemed to be where it needs to be at, I went to check the transmission fluid and it was very low and indicative as to where the leak was coming from which was the hooked rubber drain tube attached to the trans, I re-filled it to the proper level I think that should be good. I did not pull the primary cover to check that fluid level being as I cant see where any of the primary fluid would have went as there is no drain/vent tube or anything unless you pull the actual drain plug so I would think that should be good as well OR do you think I should pull the primary cover and check it anyways? Thoughts?

Thanks for all your help

 

primary is probably fine...but it is only 5 screws to know for sure.

mike

 

Definitely go to the sticky's and read, how to lift a harley that has fallen over, even a 110 woman can do it, my wife lifted my 07 Road King demonstrating it to a friend, it could help you in the future.
I wouldnt think anything will happen to your engine from lying down,unless things were broken on the way down.
Once you stand it up and the oil levels and everything it should be fine.
Lump