Hey all I just got my 05 Road Glide back from the dealer and wow Guess what? Valve seals are leaking. I have read on here that this is pretty common, They gave me a quote of $450.00 to install new ones. I spoke to the guy that delivered my bike back (yea Delivered it the dealer I use will pick up and deliver your bike back as part of there service) good thing they did deliver it it was raining like Crazy on Friday but back to the story he told me that it should be OK to ride the bike through this season and have them replaced over the winter when they are hungry for work he said I could get a better price for installing then when times are slow. I have noticed a some white smoke coming out of the right tail pipe. What are your thoughts on what he said do you think it would be OK to wait or could it cause more damage? He did tell me to keep an eye on oil usage and that I may foul out the plugs. Of course I bought the bike used and do not have the extended warranty wish I did.

Thanks for your reply in advance
Ride safe and God Bless

 

You should be OK, keep checking the oil often. The danger here is you run low on oil and then you're in trouble. Remember that low oil level also contributes to higher running temperatures which also leads to valve seal failure (sort of a vicious cycle) an other problems. You should not foul plugs unless the oil consumption is heavy. Do you ride your bike hard and does it have any mods? what viscosity oil do you use? AS far as the extended warranty goes those things are a hit and miss, you get one and you never use it. You don't and you wish you had one.

 

Too bad you didn't purchase the HD extended warranty when you bought the bike. It would've been repaired for $50.00 and you wouldn't have to worry about oil consumption.

 

You would of paid a lot more than 450 dollars for an extended warranty...

This smoke you spoke of... does it show up more after the bike sits overnight or a couple of days... or is it all the time...

You sure its white and not blue smoke...

If it don't smoke out the room when you first crank 'er up... you'll be fine... I've seen people go for years with the same problem..

Charlie D.

 

my valve seals have been shot for 10 years on my 85. it uses a quart of oil every 700 miles. the bike runs so good i'm afraid to take it apart to get it fixed. just watch the oil level. you will be fine.

 

Could always try getting a quote from a Indy and see if it's more affordable to repair. Or, ride on with care till the repair can be done.

 

I was thinking the same thing...something like $1200 for a $450 repair just doesn't seem right