| Author | Message | ||
     Dynasport |
My wife hardly ever rides with me anymore, but I guess in honor of Father's Day she suggested we go for a ride. It was HOT out and I don't really think she enjoys it, but she was being a trooper. Anyway, we stopped for a break at a gas station and were sitting on the curb drinking bottles of water when I noticed something on my new pipes. I took a closer look and I think it is transmission lubricant, but I am not positive. My bike is a 2000 FXDX that has been pretty trouble free. It now has a bit over 41,000 miles on it. Does anyone know if this is a common issue. At my bike's age and mileage, should I just expect to begin having these problems? And should I expect some major engine work in the near future? Sorry for all the questions, but I am not much of a mechanic. I plan to take it in to the dealer in the morning. I know it is a bit silly, but I can't stand it when something is wrong with the bike. I also fear the dollar signs at the service department. | ||
| Leftcoastal |
Could be breather spooge coming from air cleaner - The trans would tend to leak on the left side at the rear drive pulley. I've seen H-D's suddenly spew trans fluid from the tranny breather tube (also left side and unlikely to sully your pipes) on a hot day. Never did figure out why that would happen. Pull your air cleaner cover and see if it's really oily along the inside bottom. If so, that's the breather passing a bit more oil mist than could be drawn into the intake. That is common and is exacerbated by hot weather. Wipe 'er down and keep riding. Skip the trip to the mechanic unless it get bad. | ||
| Dynasport |
Left, thanks for the advice. I went out and checked again and I don't think it is coming from the air cleaner. I think it is coming from somewhere around the clutch release cover. It may be from the fitting that goes into the front of it (the clutch cable I think), but I am not sure. I am hopeful that it is just something as simple as a gasket, but I think the fitting itself is leaking. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Hard to make long distance diagnosises, but you might want to consider a worn out "quad seal". I had oil leaking from my tranny, started out slow, then it got worse, until about a cup came out all at once, just when I lent the bike to my brother who was visiting from the west coast. Apparently this is a very common problem. I recommend replacing the seal with a James Gasket seal. They are normally somewhat better quality than the OEM parts. http://www.jamesgaskets.com/ | ||
| Ftd |
"My bike is a 2000 FXDX that has been pretty trouble free. It now has a bit over 41,000 miles on it. Does anyone know if this is a common issue. At my bike's age and mileage, should I just expect to begin having these problems? And should I expect some major engine work in the near future? " I have a 2000 RK with ~65000 miles. Trouble free also but I highly recommend that you have your cam tensioners checked now and if not replaced then again at 60000 miles. Should cost about $100 to have them checked and $400 to replace. Mine were toast at 635000 miles. Go to HD forums and search this topic for tons more info. Frank | ||
| Pammy |
"Mine were toast at 635000 miles." Man, you are a dedicated rider...  Dan, bring your bike by and we will diagnose it for you....no problem. | ||
| Dynasport |
Pam, I wish I could have taken my bike in to you. Right now my time is VERY limited and Brandon HD is very close to my house. I dropped it there first thing Monday morning. They told me they were a bit backed up and couldn't get to it until Tuesday or Wednesday. From past experience I knew that meant Friday. They have never done anything in the time they told me. I haven't heard from them yet, but it is only Wednesday night. Maybe tomorrow. Hopefully Friday if not tomorrow. I'm pretty sure I had the cam tensioner checked at the 40,000 mile service and was told it was fine. I'll verify that tomorrow. I am very sad at home without my bike. I think I have an attachment disorder. My son's Ducati is in the garage and he is out of town.... | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
My son's Ducati is in the garage and he is out of town.... Doesn't he usually like you to take the Ducati out from time to time when he is away. Just to keep the battery charged up and the tire pressure checked? I'm sure he wouldn't want those cam drive belts to take a set, right?  | ||
| Dynasport |
Actually, he does  | ||
| Dynasport |
I called the dealer this morning and was told my bike was ready. It is a bit embarassing, but they said the leak was comining from the dipstick not being seated properly. I actually checked that and it looked fine to me. My fear is that it is not repaired. I guess I'll see. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Seems to me like a trail of oil up to the dipstick would be fairly obvious... I hope that's all it was. | ||
| Dynasport |
Seems to me that speed and vibration would ensure that there is no trail of oil anywhere, but instead there would be a significant area with a film of oil on it making it not so obvious where the oil originated from. As it turns out, not that long ago I had the dealership do the 40,000 mile service. They were the last ones to have the dipstick out. I visually inspected it when I was looking the bike over, but I did not attempt to remove it. I should have, as I would have discovered that it was not properly installed. I am very happy that nothing more significant was wrong with my bike. I am embarrassed I did not catch the dealership's mistake. I am frustrated they did not properly install the dipstick when they serviced the bike. It appears they finger tightened it and over the last 1000 miles the dipstick loosened up enough to allow some oil to escape. This is not the first time I have had problems with my bike that turned out to be related to a previous service the dealership performed. They are very convenient to my house and with my limited time and mechanical skill I have relied on them for most of the service on my bike. I don't think I will take the bike back to them again. I will have to find somewhere else to take the bike, but I have just had too many issues with them. The service writers are nice guys and I actually like most of the people at the dealership, but I have had too many problems with them. From stripped out bolts that they tried to blame on me (when they were the only ones who ever touched them), to selling me the wrong part and when I questioned it being the wrong part they assured me it was the right one, then refusing to take it back when I brought it back and proved it was the wrong part because I had installed it on my bike and they couldn't resell it. Oh well, live and learn. The worst thing for me is that I now have stains burned into my brand new black pipes that neither I nor the dealer have been successful in removing. I am open to suggestions. We have already tried brake cleaner without success. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Seems to me that speed and vibration would ensure that there is no trail of oil anywhere, but instead there would be a significant area with a film of oil on it making it not so obvious where the oil originated from. When my 1125 was delivered to me, the dipstick wasn't even threaded in. You're correct - there wouldn't be a "trail" so much as a wide area covered in oil, but as they say - all roads lead to Rome. For your pipes, take it easy on the brake cleaner - that stuff can stip the finish off and you'll be worse off than before. Have you tried a good degreaser, like Simple Green? I'd hate to think you'd have to repaint them from something like this... | ||
| Pammy |
A light coat of WD40 may even out the color a bit. | ||
| Dynasport |
Good call on the degreaser. A buddy of mine suggested Gunk last night. I didn't have any Gunk, but I had another brand of degreaser in the garage so I gave it a shot this morning. It removed about 95 percent of the spots and what remains is barely noticable. I wish I was more mechanical. This has really motivated me to do as much of my own work as possible. Pammy, anything big comes up I am looking to you guys. | ||
| Xl1200r |
These are relatively simple machines - I think you'd be surprised what you can do yourself with a basic tool set and a service manual. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Anybody have the part # for the 'Big Twin' primary chain inspection cover? IE: The same gasket they've used for 40+ years! Thanks! |
