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kinghd78 · 07-12-2008, 06:05 PM

Does anyone know how to stop a shovel from leaking oil? New member here but far from a new rider (scoots didn't have engines when I started riding). I just had my 78 FLH rebuilt. Before the rebuild I had one spot of oil under her, I know, very unusual. Now the dam thing leaks all over the place and the guy that rebuilt it tells me to GFM. Alas, what am I to do? Besides shooting him!

sachiwilson · 07-12-2008, 06:15 PM

What sort of "rebuild" did you have done? Besides one that rebuilt all the oil leaks that shovels are supposed to have from the factory?

kinghd78 · 07-12-2008, 06:19 PM

I guess you're right. He just made it more original than it actually was!

longride · 07-13-2008, 04:14 AM

If possible, find out where the spot of oil is coming from. That will give you a clue on what to fix. I rebuilt a few Shovels, so I know a bit about making them leak free.

seruzawa · 07-13-2008, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longride

If possible, find out where the spot of oil is coming from. That will give you a clue on what to fix. I rebuilt a few Shovels, so I know a bit about making them leak free.

I'd say the only sure way to stop a Shovel from leaking is to and park it somewhere and drain all the oil out of it.

sarnali2 · 07-13-2008, 06:32 AM

My Dyna started leaving a spot, can you belive that? it's either the inner primary seal where the mainshaft goes through or maybe where the gear shift goes out. I don't think it's the trans. because there's no oil on the front pully or the belt. No big deal really, I'll change the seal when I do the next oil change.

Where's the Shovel leak from? there's not that many places really, usually the pushrod tubes, rocker arms or the somewhere on the primary case or transmission seal.

longride · 07-13-2008, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seruzawa

I'd say the only sure way to stop a Shovel from leaking is to and park it somewhere and drain all the oil out of it.

It'd still leak!

Buzglyd · 07-13-2008, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longride

If possible, find out where the spot of oil is coming from. That will give you a clue on what to fix. I rebuilt a few Shovels, so I know a bit about making them leak free.

Your garage floor has a different version of that story!

longride · 07-14-2008, 04:42 AM

My 76 leaked until I built it. My 82 didn't leak a drop. Right now the Knuck needs a bucket under it, but I will be rebuilding that one this winter.

pushrod · 07-14-2008, 06:30 AM

KingHD78,

If you cannot find the leak(s) otherwise, try an old Indian (sorry, 'Native american') trick:

Wash the engine and degrease it as much as possible. After it has completely dried, spray down the suspect areas with underarm deodorant. That will, of course, make a fine film of white powder.

Then, take the bike out for a spin around the neighborhood. Don't go too fast, as you don't want to blow the powder or oil around.

Get back to the garage, and look for 'wet spots'. They will be fairly obvious.

If your motor's like Longride's Knuck, you'll probably see that you have a couple of 'dry spots', but you'll have a better idea of where your problem(s) are.

Good luck!

07-12-2008, 06:05 PM	#1
kinghd78 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 10	Stop The Oil Leaks!!! Does anyone know how to stop a shovel from leaking oil? New member here but far from a new rider (scoots didn't have engines when I started riding). I just had my 78 FLH rebuilt. Before the rebuild I had one spot of oil under her, I know, very unusual. Now the dam thing leaks all over the place and the guy that rebuilt it tells me to GFM. Alas, what am I to do? Besides shooting him!

07-12-2008, 06:15 PM	#2
sachiwilson Women Riders Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,609	What sort of "rebuild" did you have done? Besides one that rebuilt all the oil leaks that shovels are supposed to have from the factory? __________________ Frappé LaRue Safety Queen Are you a Rounder? Sarnali: "what could be more useless than arguing with a deaf female lawyer????"

07-13-2008, 04:14 AM	#4
longride Super Duper Mod Man Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere they let me Posts: 10,484	If possible, find out where the spot of oil is coming from. That will give you a clue on what to fix. I rebuilt a few Shovels, so I know a bit about making them leak free. __________________ I'm a knucklehead

07-13-2008, 06:32 AM	#6
sarnali2 Aging Cafe` Racer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sittin' down by my window, lookin' at the rain. Posts: 8,648	My Dyna started leaving a spot, can you belive that? it's either the inner primary seal where the mainshaft goes through or maybe where the gear shift goes out. I don't think it's the trans. because there's no oil on the front pully or the belt. No big deal really, I'll change the seal when I do the next oil change. Where's the Shovel leak from? there's not that many places really, usually the pushrod tubes, rocker arms or the somewhere on the primary case or transmission seal. __________________ "Carpe` Throttelum -Loud Suits Save Lives" "Denser alloy. My Father gave it to me, I think he wants me to kill you"... CVF-FCV

07-14-2008, 04:42 AM	#9
longride Super Duper Mod Man Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere they let me Posts: 10,484	My 76 leaked until I built it. My 82 didn't leak a drop. Right now the Knuck needs a bucket under it, but I will be rebuilding that one this winter. __________________ I'm a knucklehead

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07-12-2008, 06:19 PM	#3
kinghd78 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 10	I guess you're right. He just made it more original than it actually was!

07-14-2008, 06:30 AM	#10
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,635	KingHD78, If you cannot find the leak(s) otherwise, try an old Indian (sorry, 'Native american') trick: Wash the engine and degrease it as much as possible. After it has completely dried, spray down the suspect areas with underarm deodorant. That will, of course, make a fine film of white powder. Then, take the bike out for a spin around the neighborhood. Don't go too fast, as you don't want to blow the powder or oil around. Get back to the garage, and look for 'wet spots'. They will be fairly obvious. If your motor's like Longride's Knuck, you'll probably see that you have a couple of 'dry spots', but you'll have a better idea of where your problem(s) are. Good luck! __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.