New to Harleys...so I don't know if this is common or not.

Bought a '01 883C and the guy claimed there were no leaks. Soon after riding it, it appeared to be leaking on the right side down onto the crankcase. I kept just wiping it off and it would soon reappear. I ran into the guy the other day and he THEN stated "oh yeah it leaks from the carb area from time to time".

I was thinking this guy was a nut until I pulled the breather and found a bnch of oil in there. I am assuming there is a blow-by of some sort in there which is causing the oil to collect. Is this normal and is there a fix so it doesn't drip all over the motor?

 

How much oil do you have in the oil tank? Most people run their oil about halfway between full and add on their dipstick. Seems to reduce the blowby.

 

good question. I "assume" that the notch on the dipstick is the "full" mark, correct? if so, then it is above that by about a 1/8 to 1/4 inch.

 

Sounds like it is "overfull", try running it with less oil in the tank, as stated above half to three quarters full is plenty.

 

Thanks guys I will try that!

 

My 05 883 Custom is doing the blow by also. My oil is usually at the full mark.

Seems to have started or gotten worse after installing a K&N air filter which i think is common also for the more breathable types. Starting to research cures and will post later hopefully. Some divert oil spray to bottom of bike but thats more of a sympton reliever than cure.

 

You don't have an oil leak, you are getting blow by through the air cleaner. Remove the air cleaner and wipe away the excessive oil. That will cure the "oil leak" until the ham can fills up again. Just keep wiping it down.

Also, you will get less blow by if you don't fill the tank past half full.

 

def. overfull!

 

A Screaming eagle will rout the breather tubes to the carb intake, should completely eliminate the problem if you don't overfill.

 

I noticed the same thing after an oil change, I cleaned off the filter as best I could, checked the oil (cold.) It was exactally in the middle. When I changed the oil, I had it a little above half to fill the filter. (Too much I guess) Anyway, I dont have the "oil leak" anymore