Rocker Box Leaking

[Boatguy]

Is the dealership the best place to get the service manual or should I buy one on line? Saw one website where you can down load the manual for $9.95. Thanks!!

[Rockerbox1]

dealership.

pdf manuals suck IMO, I want to hold it in my hand, flip the pages by hand, carry it to the bike, etc

[Osco]

Ya git what ya pay for,,,

how you gonna know If a PDF Is anywhere near accurate,,,screw that,
Not my Sportster.

[Ride4me]

I took my 1200 Sportster in to shop to replace gaskets. The first time I picked it up, it was still leaking, took it back. Went to pick it up, rode it about ten miles home, it started smoking and engine started knocking. I shut it down and it started to make a sound like a tire was leaking air. The shop came and picked it up today. Anyone have an idea what they might have screwed-up?

[mrmetal]

I've never used permatex on rocker box gaskets and I've never had a leak. New gaskets have a thin rubberlike coating on them so you don't need permatex.. It is an easy job to do.

[Osco]

Originally Posted by mrmetal

I've never used permatex on rocker box gaskets and I've never had a leak. New gaskets have a thin rubberlike coating on them so you don't need permatex.. It is an easy job to do.

My friends custom,
The factory machine work on the boxes and covers was so bad
we could see where we needed permatex.
It most likely was the chrome. Just not super even.

My Black Roadster rockers and covers are weaping a little.
I can see why but Its not enough to warrent the work yet..

Its hard for me to tear into a perfect running engine.
I never have to add any oil.

[Osco]

Rode today,,got a little oil on my pants leg,,
NOW I got me a Harley XD

That dang sythetic oil seems to get out thru the smallest of cracks...

When I do the rocker boxes and cover seals I think I'll run a bead of Hi-Temp
permatex down in the channel,,,,(Let It Harden/cure for 24)
Just enough to raise the stock gasket up against the smooth surface with a little more pressure..

You guyz doing this shurly have noticed how low the gasket sit in the channel...

We cannot machine the bottom of the rocker boxes to make em smoother,,flatter,, more true.
It will change valve lift and such.

We Can do the covers .......