Primary leak????

[187]

Hello all.New to the forum.I have been riding since I was 6 years old and this is my second Harley.I just picked up a 87 heritage softail and have a leak that I am having some problems with.I first thought it was the primary gasket because it had a small bit of oil on the rear of the primary cover by where the drain plug is.But after adjusting the p.chain and putting a new gasket on i took her for a ride and when I got back it was leaking even worse.I cleaned it up real good and can see it running down from the very back side of the rear of the primary cover(up by where the drive belt goes on the tranny)It is running down the back of the primary and dripping right where the drain plug is.Any ideas what this could be and how hard to fix.

[MrMarty51]

Welcome to the forum.
Probably a seal on the inner primary cover.

[prodrag1320]

`87`s had the old style pully with the thinner spline area,it was very common for the nut to come loose,and damage the splines on the pully & final drive and leak.hope its just the seal,but we`ve seen this too many times
kirby
vee twin racing

[Dave63]

Originally Posted by prodrag1320

`87`s had the old style pully with the thinner spline area,it was very common for the nut to come loose,and damage the splines on the pully & final drive and leak.hope its just the seal,but we`ve seen this too many times
kirby
vee twin racing

Agreed. It happened on my 1995. I had to take the inner primary off, then the front sprocket nut. Once you're that far, you might as well replace all the seals from the trans output shaft out.

If you catch it in time, it's just a matter of replacing the O-ring behind the 5th gear bearing, retightening the pullet to spec, and replacing the primary gaskets and seals as you replace all the parts it took to get there.

You will need a Deeeeep socket for that front sprocket nut, and an inner primary bearing race puller/installer to to the job.

[187]

Got it pulled apart today and found the problem.The seal for the starter shaft that goes into the back side of the primary was just bouncing around on the shaft and not in place in the cover.I havent pulled the inner cover yet and was woundering if i can just replace the seal from the front side with out pulling the inner primary cover?Has anyone tried this and will it work or do I have to pull the inner cover to do it?Thanks for all the help.I was abit scared pulling it apart,but it went pretty good.

[SCHMIDTYS]

Originally Posted by 187

Got it pulled apart today and found the problem.The seal for the starter shaft that goes into the back side of the primary was just bouncing around on the shaft and not in place in the cover.I havent pulled the inner cover yet and was woundering if i can just replace the seal from the front side with out pulling the inner primary cover?Has anyone tried this and will it work or do I have to pull the inner cover to do it?Thanks for all the help.I was abit scared pulling it apart,but it went pretty good.

If that's the only seal leaking then yes you can replace the starter shaft seal from the inside . You'll need to loosen the clutch hub nut and pull the clutch off far enough to get the starter gear and shaft out then pound the new seal in with the drive end of a deep socket to get it flush .
You'll want to inspect the starter drive components because it's unusual that the seal popped out like that .

[187]

I have the clutch comp.sproket and chain off.It will be a clear shot.I looked at the starter shaft and parts real good,but dont see any problem.The seal not only was poped out the back side and just bouncing around on the shaft but it also has a large nick out of it.Maybe someone has been in there before and did a shitty job????I called Harley today,but they have to order the seal and said it would take two weeks.He gave me the part# (12051)and I am going to try and find one before that.I keep ya all posted.Thanks again.

[XDixiecratX]

187 If you ll make an introduction in the New to the Community you ll get a better responce to your post here.

[Dave63]

Originally Posted by 187

I have the clutch comp.sproket and chain off.It will be a clear shot.I looked at the starter shaft and parts real good,but dont see any problem.The seal not only was poped out the back side and just bouncing around on the shaft but it also has a large nick out of it.Maybe someone has been in there before and did a shitty job????I called Harley today,but they have to order the seal and said it would take two weeks.He gave me the part# (12051)and I am going to try and find one before that.I keep ya all posted.Thanks again.

That's amazing. I justy looked and I have 3 of them hanging on my parts wall.......... TWO WEEKS?

Call J&PCycles - Keeping the World on Two Wheels! and order it and you'll have it in 3 days. Screw the Factory...........

[187]

Yea,I have come to the conclusion that the northstate sucks for trying to find bike stuff.I had to wait for a week to get my new tires.I think I am going to make the drive down to the bay area on tuesday where i can pick one up.