A friend has a 1990 Fat Boy and this happend to his case when they where pulling it appart to change the gaskets:





So now I need to help him finding a case for his engine. Where can I get one used or in a good price?

 

ebay? or a set of s&s cases maybe

 

That'll buff out. A little JB weld, good as new.

I think I've read that the factory will sell you a new case with the old case's number stamped on it if you send them the old case. You might want to check with a dealer if there is one there, or a call to Milwaukee. Or, a really good TIG welder could probably put that back together.

 

Sorry Doc,Got to disagree about welding it. I know the cost of replacement case could be expensive but for my money and peace of mind,the replacement case wins.
I had a Kawa Z1300 in the 80s which had a "chunk" out of the casing and nowhere near as bad as this Harley Case. Have to admit.....I was constantly thinking,when riding at high speeds, "what if " the casing cracks up completely! I know people often say "a weld can be as strong" but I have to repeat....for my money and peace of mind, Replacement case wins. Good luck with your choice El Chiguete..All the best.Bungo.

 

The weld would be way stronger than the original case and it didn't grenade on him when it was in that state...that crack would have been there for ages...don't let paranoia empty your wallet my friend....you should see what a good welder can do to a set of Sportster cases after a terminal tranny failure.....they are Gods those guys!!!

 

Dont suffer from paranoia but do like to look at the "bigger picture".I did say that for some "the weld may be as strong". A crack being "there for ages" doesnt make for happy/safe riding.
Like wrenches,there are very bad "wrenches" very good "wrenches" and all the ones in between. Im sure welders are the same.
Will the welder for this job give a written guarantee?
Its the old story.......no right or wrong,just opinions. You pays your money and you takes your chances. Cheers,Bungo.

 

I've just taken a look in ebay and the closest I can find to a used set of cases is this, a complete motor. There used to be a variety of case makers in addition to S&S.

 

I guess that is hard to find good cases laying around somewhere........

 

Here's another ad. Read the notes, as it looks as if he may be able to supply the right new cases.

 

Several problems with trying to weld that ...One... castings that have been run in oil are a pain to get clean enough to weld...when you put the heat to it, oil comes out of the pores and ruins the weld. Two...the chunk that broke out appears to be cracked where the studs screw in. Three...it is broken in the machined area for the base gaskets with no real meat there to re-machine it. That being said, I would still take it to my TIG guy and let him give it a shot...the most it will do is waste a set of gaskets.