Oil leak near drive belt

Jersey Big Mike

100K mile club
looking at that pic and seeing clean oil and dirty right there together it looks like transmission fluid was changed recently and clean-up wasn't done aftwerwards.
Clean that are up real good and above it and see if it returns.
 

ChopperJeff

Active Member
I cleaned it up really well and after one ride, it all appears again.
Checked the transmission drain plug and it's good and tight.

The only thing I did to the bike recently was replace the starter. I did have to loosen the bolts to the drive belt cover, but can't imagine doing that is now causing this.

And if the primary is leaking by the starter, then the leak would be on the other side of the bike. I'll look more into it this evening.
 

Mikeinjersey

Well-Known Member
I cleaned it up really well and after one ride, it all appears again.
Checked the transmission drain plug and it's good and tight.

The only thing I did to the bike recently was replace the starter. I did have to loosen the bolts to the drive belt cover, but can't imagine doing that is now causing this.

And if the primary is leaking by the starter, then the leak would be on the other side of the bike. I'll look more into it this evening.
It looks like a substantial leak.Check the dip sticks on both engine and trans. One of them has to be low and will tell you where to focus your attention. It looks more like trans fluid than engine to me. You may have a trans bearing failure giving you an early warning. I would try to figure out what the problem is before riding.
 

ChopperJeff

Active Member
It looks like a substantial leak.Check the dip sticks on both engine and trans. One of them has to be low and will tell you where to focus your attention. It looks more like trans fluid than engine to me. You may have a trans bearing failure giving you an early warning. I would try to figure out what the problem is before riding.
Thanks! I think over the weekend I'll drain the tranny and see what's going on. It appears to only be leaking when the bike is in use, as last night I placed towels underneath it and this morning there was not so much as a drop of fluid showing on the towels. I wonder if one of those oil lines could be leaking. Oh well, hopefully this weekend's inspection will show something.
 

Jersey Big Mike

100K mile club
Thanks! I think over the weekend I'll drain the tranny and see what's going on. It appears to only be leaking when the bike is in use, as last night I placed towels underneath it and this morning there was not so much as a drop of fluid showing on the towels. I wonder if one of those oil lines could be leaking. Oh well, hopefully this weekend's inspection will show something.
don't forget to check the breather hose on the transmission as well.
 

john sachs

Well-Known Member
Hell of a find. I just finished mods on a customer engine in a bike that was trailered in. I started the engine after the work to heat cycle it. I noticed oil coming out of the adjuster part of the clutch cable. I finally found the problem. It seems a WASP built a mud nest in the U- shaped transmission vent tube.:oldbang: Cleaned it up, and was good to go.
John
 

ChopperJeff

Active Member
If I were to replace the oil lines, what exactly do I need? I contacted Curtis at Wild Steed Worx asking about the kit they have, and he said that the hard tube lines are not being made anymore, so what he has would basically be just the braided lines running all the way to the oil tank. He's going to send me a price of the kit he can put together.

Got me thinking that I could probably get the braided oil lines from a local store, but I have no idea of the proper size for the tube and fittings. Does anyone else know?
 

JohnBoy

Active Member
If you aren't going to get them from Curtis. Take the all the lines with you and the shop will make them to length with the proper ends.
 

ChopperJeff

Active Member
A
It looks like a substantial leak.Check the dip sticks on both engine and trans. One of them has to be low and will tell you where to focus your attention. It looks more like trans fluid than engine to me. You may have a trans bearing failure giving you an early warning. I would try to figure out what the problem is before riding.
At this point I’m thinking the leak is from the transmission. Rode it daily for the last week and checked the motor oil level and the primary fluid level, and both had not lost one iota of fluid. I drained the transmission and added 20 ounces, then rode it the next day. Those dip sticks for the tranny are sure tricky to read as the fluid is hard to see on it, but it did seem to be a bit low.
Will look closer at it later.
Been looking for instructions on removing the tranny on a Big Dog, but couldn‘t find anything. Might have to bite the bullet and take it to the mechanic. Not crazy though spending a ton of money on the labor.
 
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ChopperJeff

Active Member
Found within another thread discussing leaks that one can add a UV dye into the suspected fluid and it will glow at the point it's leaking. I just did that, and after riding 30 miles, here is the result.DyeTest-2.jpeg

So, the leak is pretty obvious. Is that what they call the Inner access cover gasket?
Perhaps other seals and gaskets should get replaced while I'm in there?
That said though, I might just have the shop do it as I tend to have no luck working on stuff.
 
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ChopperJeff

Active Member
Output seal is leaking. Easy fix.
Yeah, probably easy fix but I just dropped the bike off at Arlen Ness to have them fix it. When I chatted with the tech there, I was impressed that he took the time to explain to me how to do the repair myself. But it seems the older I get…I’m now 66… the less I want to work on stuff. Knowing me I’d end up spending countless hours cussing and screaming at it as I keep getting frustrated, and when all is done I’d probably fuck it up and make it worse.
Within their diagnosis of the problem he also found that the exhaust bracket was broken. He said they can just weld it though.
At this point I’m thinking I should have never bought this bike, but maybe once this is all fixed, all will be good, and I can just enjoy the ride.
 

Mr. Wright

Knows some things
Supporting Member
Yeah, probably easy fix but I just dropped the bike off at Arlen Ness to have them fix it. When I chatted with the tech there, I was impressed that he took the time to explain to me how to do the repair myself. But it seems the older I get…I’m now 66… the less I want to work on stuff. Knowing me I’d end up spending countless hours cussing and screaming at it as I keep getting frustrated, and when all is done I’d probably fuck it up and make it worse.
Within their diagnosis of the problem he also found that the exhaust bracket was broken. He said they can just weld it though.
At this point I’m thinking I should have never bought this bike, but maybe once this is all fixed, all will be good, and I can just enjoy the ride.
Good deal. They are a love hate relationship, but I wouldn't give mine up for the world.
 

Jersey Big Mike

100K mile club
Found within another thread discussing leaks that one can add a UV dye into the suspected fluid and it will glow at the point it's leaking. I just did that, and after riding 30 miles, here is the result.View attachment 120020

So, the leak is pretty obvious. Is that what they call the Inner access cover gasket?
Perhaps other seals and gaskets should get replaced while I'm in there?
That said though, I might just have the shop do it as I tend to have no luck working on stuff.
Can you tell me where you foiund the UV dye -- that would be some really usefull stuff to add to my toolbox
 

ChopperJeff

Active Member
Can you tell me where you foiund the UV dye -- that would be some really usefull stuff to add to my toolbox
The one I bought that I ended up using in my transmission was from Amazon and is called "InterDynamics Certified Auto Pro Oil and Fuel System UV Dye Leak Detection". The other one I got which glowed orange instead of yellow I got from the local automotive parts store (Monument) and was called "AutoPro UV Dye for engine oil, transmission, power steering, Fuel system."
 

Jersey Big Mike

100K mile club
The one I bought that I ended up using in my transmission was from Amazon and is called "InterDynamics Certified Auto Pro Oil and Fuel System UV Dye Leak Detection". The other one I got which glowed orange instead of yellow I got from the local automotive parts store (Monument) and was called "AutoPro UV Dye for engine oil, transmission, power steering, Fuel system."
Thanks, just added some to my amazon cart for next time I need it,
 
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