Too young to start marking it's spot!
#1
06-07-2011, 09:20 PM
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Kansouri
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Too young to start marking it's spot!
After a ride a few days ago I noticed a couple of marks on my battery cover that I thought were just bug juice/guts. I wiped them off and didn’t think more about it.
Next day after a ride a few more showed up. This weekend it was covered after about a 30 mile ride home from work. When I wiped it down again I looked closely and realized it was oil! Thought $hit this can’t be this bike only has a little over 8K miles and not even 3 years old.
Looked like it was coming from the rocker cover. Got it to the shop as I didn’t want to take a chance burning up the engine and I don't have the expertise or time to get in to this type of issue.
Call from the wrench this afternoon confirmed it was the rocker cover leaking like a sieve. Guys at my work said it was because I started running synthetic as soon as I bought it with 5K miles on the odometer and I could plan on this as long as I owned a HD.
So is this what I have to look forward to? Sounds like BS to me but if that is true I am on to another bike and it won't be a Harley.
Next day after a ride a few more showed up. This weekend it was covered after about a 30 mile ride home from work. When I wiped it down again I looked closely and realized it was oil! Thought $hit this can’t be this bike only has a little over 8K miles and not even 3 years old.
Looked like it was coming from the rocker cover. Got it to the shop as I didn’t want to take a chance burning up the engine and I don't have the expertise or time to get in to this type of issue.
Call from the wrench this afternoon confirmed it was the rocker cover leaking like a sieve. Guys at my work said it was because I started running synthetic as soon as I bought it with 5K miles on the odometer and I could plan on this as long as I owned a HD.
So is this what I have to look forward to? Sounds like BS to me but if that is true I am on to another bike and it won't be a Harley.
#7
06-07-2011, 11:11 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA
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The rocker box gaskets leaking on a Sportster is a known problem. Very well known I might add. Replace with new ones and continue to ride on. It has nothing to do with synthetic oil. Been running M1 in my bike for nearly 10,000 miles and it doesn't leak a drop.
I hope this doesn't ruin Harleys for you. They can be very dependable and excellent running bikes if given just a little care. The bad name comes a lot from the AMF-era Harleys that were lacking. Since the Motor Company came out with the Evolution engine in the 1984 (86 for the Sporty) model year, the bikes have become on par with every other manufacturer today.
I hope this doesn't ruin Harleys for you. They can be very dependable and excellent running bikes if given just a little care. The bad name comes a lot from the AMF-era Harleys that were lacking. Since the Motor Company came out with the Evolution engine in the 1984 (86 for the Sporty) model year, the bikes have become on par with every other manufacturer today.
