Primary gaskets: Quality all the same, or different?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 3
From: California
Primary gaskets: Quality all the same, or different?
My '10 Ultra has been weeping 'oil' for some time and found a couple of different spots where it seemed to be leaking but never quite got a handle on it. I have now discovered that there is weeping/leak coming from the primary cover. It's been open up twice before, for a service and then when a nut backed off and fell into the primary. I suspect that the Harley dealer that did that repair might have not replaced the gasket.
Looking around online at places like Dennis Kirk, Drag Speacialties and eBay, I see a wide variety of prices for a single gasket or a gasket kit. Pretty much all the same, or do you 'get what you pay for'. For example, Harley charges almost $40. Is it best to go OEM or after-market okay, or maybe even better? Single gasket, or a complete kit for later use?
What do you recommend and from what seller? If I'm going to spend the money for a new gasket and fluid, I'd like to get it right the first time. (Which usually NEVER happens!)
Looking around online at places like Dennis Kirk, Drag Speacialties and eBay, I see a wide variety of prices for a single gasket or a gasket kit. Pretty much all the same, or do you 'get what you pay for'. For example, Harley charges almost $40. Is it best to go OEM or after-market okay, or maybe even better? Single gasket, or a complete kit for later use?
What do you recommend and from what seller? If I'm going to spend the money for a new gasket and fluid, I'd like to get it right the first time. (Which usually NEVER happens!)
Last edited by UltraClassicElectraGlide; Jul 15, 2014 at 11:49 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 3
From: West Sacramento CA
I would check with James or Cometic and order the edge molded steel gasket, they cost more but reusable many times over. Harley quit making them that way. seen a guy reuse the Harley one for 10 years. they do cost more.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 894
Likes: 6
The cometic gasket I used was about $15. and it had the blue silicon bonding all the way around. Still leaked. Be sure to check torque on all the bolts. Including the one that you have to remove the floor board to get to.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
the primary case could be slightly warped or have a gap between the surfaces.
get a Evo "paper" type gasket from the indy shop.
the evo and twincam touring can use same primary gasket.
the steel bonded gasket cannot deform enough to fill a gap, the paper can.
cometic, james etc etc.
$15 or so.
mike
get a Evo "paper" type gasket from the indy shop.
the evo and twincam touring can use same primary gasket.
the steel bonded gasket cannot deform enough to fill a gap, the paper can.
cometic, james etc etc.
$15 or so.
mike
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 3
From: California
I've seen some on eBay, and some are not so cheap, or at least not what I would have expected. Got a specific seller or brand on eBay that you'd recommend?
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
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From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Don't know what nut "backed off" inside the primary, but that sounds interesting.
Regardless, there is a tightening sequence in the service manual for the primary bolts. Get a good metallic paper covered gasket, then follow that sequence and torque to specs. That's why a good inch pound torque wrench is worth it's weight. Guessing at these torques can leave you scratching your head over another leak.
The OEM gasket can be used over and over if you handle it gently when removed. I have re-used mine at least 5 times with no problems.
Regardless, there is a tightening sequence in the service manual for the primary bolts. Get a good metallic paper covered gasket, then follow that sequence and torque to specs. That's why a good inch pound torque wrench is worth it's weight. Guessing at these torques can leave you scratching your head over another leak.
The OEM gasket can be used over and over if you handle it gently when removed. I have re-used mine at least 5 times with no problems.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 3
From: California
Since I'm no mechanic I'd have to dig out the repair order to be specific. I do remember that after a service and clutch adjustment, a nut wasn't properly torqued, backed off and then came all the way off. I lost my clutch, just like a broken cable. When the service manager opened it up, he turned the bolt a few times and the clutch was back. Simple fix, and back on the road. Oh, the bad news though was the nut had dropped into the primary and he had to open it up and I had to leave the bike for a few days for the repair and then go back and get it. At least that's the way I remember things.