OK I am new to Harley-ownership and have always heard about the notorious oil leaks. Well I have one and I want to find out if its something I can fix, or something I'll have to get used to. My '01 883 was purchased from a dealer in early '02 with 1000 miles on it. I bought it yesterday with 1500 miles. So in almost four years it has only had 500 miles put on it. After running it when you put it on the kickstand oil seeps out of the lowest corners of the rocker box covers. Is this normal or could it be a result of non-use? What could be done to resolve the problem?

Thanks!!!

Justin

 

I had the same problem with a low mileage 883. I was going to get the new improved gaskets cause the originals are paper and the service dept said $170.00 so I went home to think about it and within a week it stopped all together. By the way the leak started after the bike tipped on its side when the kickstand wasnt fully engaged. You can do one of three things 1.) fix it yourself 2.) wait and see. 3.) spend $170.00 at the dealer.

 

The rocker cover gaskets were upgraded in 2002 to the metal type, as the previous 'card' type became brittle and leaked after a time.
The gaskets cost £5 in the UK ( about $17) and are an easy fix as long as you get the torque settings and the bolt tightening sequence correct. If you have a manual it should be no problem. It took me a couple of hours to do the front one recently.
The settings are on this thread

https://www.hdforums.com/m_103771/mp.../tm.htm#103992

Hope this is of some help

Lev

 

Yes, if you have the card type gaskets, and it's only been ridden 500 miles in four years, that's exactly what the deal is. Any card type gaskets become ESPECIALLY brittle and FAIL if OIL is not circulated to them REGULARLY. Quite common. Should be a simple fix with new gaskets and torquing the rocker covers properly..
Bill in SC

 

On your bike, the gaskets could have failed because it wasn't ridden very much and that caused them to dry out. Then again, it could just be the notorious Sportster rocker box gasket crap that can happen to any Sportster.

You can't just crank up a Sportster and hit the road. Sportsters need to be properly warmed up, especially on the first startup of the day. If you don't, you'll get a rocker box leak, or worse yet, a base gasket leak. (yeah, I've had BOTH of those, before I learned)

On the first start-up of the day, crank it up and let it idle while you check out the lights, turn signals, brake lights, etc. All this needs to be checked anyway, so you might as well do it while it's idling. If you have a oil cap temp guage, let it warm up to 100 degrees. If you don't, get one! Or, let it warm up so the rocker boxes are warm to the touch. Either way, letting it idle 2 - 5 minutes on the first start up will keep you from blowing rocker and base gaskets.

Since I learned this procedure I've not had any problems with rockers or base gaskets leaking.

 

Reb-
I've never heard of a cold start causing oil leaks, but I'm not gonna test it so I'll let it warm up good. What is the reasoning behind that? (just curious)

 

I don't know the reason, but suspect it has something to do with the metal and gasket warming together, with the gasket getting 'oil' to make the seal.

What I do know is since I did the repairs and starting using the 2 - 5 minute warmup, I haven't had any leaks on the rocker or base gaskets.

 

Funny, mine is in the shop as we speak getting both rocker box seals replaced along with a few other minor things. Had both leaking. I ride mine 3-4 days a week to work. Like most have said, I think it's just due to the poor quality of the factory seals.

 

Ive been told (don't remember who), that it has to do with the fact that this is an air/oil cooled engine and the oil travels through the engine at a greater rate of speed than a water cooled engine. So until your oil is warm (and viscous enough to flow) - you are putting undue pressure on the internals. The easiest thing to pop is a gasket.

That's also why you have to be careful with oil coolers. They can cool the oil down too much and cause the same type of problem.

 

What Mickeybad said seems to make alot of sense and ive heard that since some motor parts are aliuminum an some cast iron an they expand an contract at different rates its best to warm it up slowly.