Rocker Box Leaking

[Boatguy]

I understand that Sportsters are know for breaking the seal on the rocker box and leaking. I have two leaks, one front and one rear for the last several months, drips a little each day. I cannt afford to get it fix right now because money is really tight, (doctor bills), but I do check it and tighten every now and then which seems to help some. My question is will this harm the bike? She my pride and joy and dont want to do anything to hurt her. I will have the money in a month pending no new crisis. Thanks

[Dave63]

No. However, oil leaks to an engine are like you bleeding. It can be a slow bleed for the longest time, but one day, unexpectedly, you may end up anemic and weak or worse, because the slow bleed became a gushing wound, that you wish you fixed earleir.

"Seeping" is one thing, but there's really no reason to have leaks on these modern engines.

[Bronson]

My front box leaked at 600 miles, took it into the Stealer. They milled and sealed them both. That was 15,000 miles ago. Not a drop has been seen since.

[Osco]

Gasket set,,about $30 bucks,,
permatex,,,,$8
HD service book,,$60

Take the tank off,,

Only real thing to watch out for Is Lifting the rockers up.
They must come UP and go back DOWN super evenly so you dont stress the box,,It will crack,,
Take them up and down evenly by turning each of the 4 bolts 1/4 turn at a time,,,
keep to a pattern.

Permatex:
If used properly,, as In a thin coating on all surfaces
and a small bead In the gasket channels to the out side edge...
( NOTE: the ammount In the channel should not come squishing out
when the Gasket Is Laid In)....

Seal surfaces,,scratch easy, they must be super clean,,
Figger It out,,,,,,,,

The rocker cover bolts have a small seal,,get those also,,,

Save $400 bucks,,,,,,,,

[Osco]

More,,,,

[Osco]

More,,,

Nuttin to it,,,

We didn't need to shave er shape anything,,
Permatex will not get into the engine If used sparingly..

10k miles since the fix,,,no leaks,,

Took five hours with beer breaks and a steak dinner

[JimmyG]

Careful about tightening it up to much, the torque on those bolts is low, and when that motor heats up the torque increases!

[Osco]

Originally Posted by JimmyG

Careful about tightening it up to much, the torque on those bolts is low, and when that motor heats up the torque increases!

VERY ture,,
We used 6 inch open end wrenches with
three fingers and a thumb for a torque guage.

Bolt sizes dictate torque and It's hard to get a torque wrench
In there, frame rail and all.

Old school trick:
Look up the torque spec In the service book,
Set up yer wrench,
torque something else and undo and re-do with yer hand Till
ya know what the torque Is by feel.

Biggest mistake people make Is OVER tightening...

Don't be stickin a foot long wrench on them bolts and grunting
It down with forearm pressure....

[Boatguy]

Thanks guys! Osco the pictures make it look easy. I have little to no mechancial ability; I am the grime reaper to machines, but I do have a good friend who is a great wrench turner and perhaps with a steak dinner bribe he might help me with it. Thanks again.

[Osco]

Originally Posted by Boatguy

Thanks guys! Osco the pictures make it look easy. I have little to no mechancial ability; I am the grime reaper to machines, but I do have a good friend who is a great wrench turner and perhaps with a steak dinner bribe he might help me with it. Thanks again.

Thats the ticket,,,

The Biker who walked me an my buddy throught It knows sportsters

I would now do It alone. no worries.
Been wrenchen on cagers for decades,,,

Make shure you got that HD service book and remember to
bring the rockers up evenly so the spring tension don't break em
thats It.