my boys 2003 883 hugger now has a small leak in front jug just below the sparkplug and a small leak at the base on the back jug . dont know if i can do the gaskets or not. the bike has about 10,000 on it. also it wasnt leaking until he changed the oil (hd 20w50) and also i think he keeps the choke on too long could he be getting gas in the oil and causing it to leak out the gasket? if not how much am i looking at to have a shop do the gasket job?

 

Is unsure of doing the work yourself .. Probably be around 4 hours labor plus the cost of parts.. Many are guilty of leaving the choke on too long even on the coldest mornings I start at full choke and run it 30 seconds tops and go to half choke and run another minute and slowly start out pushing it all the way off within a couple blocks unless is sputtering from being too lean ..

 

I wouldn't tackle that job, if you are uncertain of your abilities. It's not a simple task. That's the head gasket. It shouldn't take a shop 4 hours labor to complete, but that is probably about what they would charge.

 

The first time I read this I missed the part about the rear lower engine gasket leaking. That is at least a 4 hour job. And it will require what is basically an engine rebuild. I had those leaks, and decided if I was going to take the entire engine apart, I'd just rebuild it as a 1250.