Rocker Box seal Leaks

[Jimmyb]

guys,,,, My 2005 Bulldog with TP rocker boxes. Bought the bike a few months back. 2600 miles on it. Cylinder head in front leaking. Have you all had success after changing the gaskets? Getting ready to have it done. just wondered if others have had any issues after? Any advice is welcomed! thanks guys!

 

[mleach72]

guys,,,, My 2005 Bulldog with TP rocker boxes. Bought the bike a few months back. 2600 miles on it. Cylinder head in front leaking. Have you all had success after changing the gaskets? Getting ready to have it done. just wondered if others have had any issues after? Any advice is welcomed! thanks guys!

Look closely to see exactly where it is leaking from. Is it from the lid or the base? My leaks were always from the lid. If your leak is at the lid, Curtis at wildsteedworx.com has just the lid seals. Much easier and cheaper than changing all of the gaskets.

 

[Jimmyb]

I’ll look , although I’m pretty sure it’s at the bottom Now you really have me wondering. Haha.

 

[Mikeinjersey]

I’ll look , although I’m pretty sure it’s at the bottom Now you really have me wondering. Haha.

Take a pic of the leak. If it's from the top you may be able to do the job yourself. If it's from the lower jug it's more involved and depending on your skill set may require help from a shop.
One of the main causes of gasket leaks is not letting the engine warm up to operating temperature before cranking down on the throttle. Some have said 15 minutes riding easy is good policy.

 

[Jimmyb]

I’ll clean it up then maybe put a piece of white tape and see if I can tell a little easier if it is only from the top. That would be awesome and an easy do it myself fix. The bike had sat quite a bit before I bought it, and it’s almost 20 years old and only has 2,500 miles on it so I just thought maybe the gasket has deteriorated or dries out from no use. Thanks for your help. I love this forum !!

 

[mleach72]

The TP's tend to leak at the lid more than the S&S boxes. I'm not sure why, but I think it's because the TP gasket isn't a formed gasket. It's just a really big o-ring that goes into a groove. I've never had a leak at the base on my TP's. It was always the lid. The TP's only have 4 bolts, which probably doesn't keep them as tight as the 6 bolts on the S&S lids.

 

[Jimmyb]

I think it is just the lid. I cleaned it up and road a little and it looks like you are correct !! Any special instructions to taking those off? No top dead center 6 gear or any of that?

 

[Jimmyb]

I do have new bolts also to put back in and o rings also with the seals

 

[mleach72]

The only extra thing I did was use blue loctite on the bolts when I put it back together. On my pitbull, the rear lid is a little bit of a pain to get out. It will come out, but you have to maneuver it around to the right position to get it out. I'm not sure if that is the same on your bulldog. You may need a set of short allen wrenches. There isn't much room between the frame and rocker box on the rear lid.

 

[Jimmyb]

Looks like the 2 leaks are coming from the left side only. The thicker side of the plate. Is that where yours leaked from ? It makes sense like
You said only 4 bolts holding and really not in the corners where it looks to be leaking.

 

[mleach72]

Looks like the 2 leaks are coming from the left side only. The thicker side of the plate. Is that where yours leaked from ? It makes sense like
You said only 4 bolts holding and really not in the corners where it looks to be leaking.

Yep, but mine was only on the rear jug. I only replaced the side that was leaking. If it happens again, I have a spare.

 

[Jimmyb]

So. No weird prep. Just let it cool. Take out the bolts and remove? No compression release danger or anything? Cylinders scare me. Haha. Man I’m so glad you chimed in !!

 

[mleach72]

Nope, just remove the bolts, and it should come off. Clean the groove on the outside and the one around the compression release and the mating surface on the lid before you put the gaskets in.

 

[Jimmyb]

I’ll give her a try tomorrow. I’ll let you know. Thank for all your help.

 

[chubs]

Just a thought, check the tightness of the bolts holding the lid on. I had a leak on my rocker box lid and found the screw were not what I would consider to be tight enough. Snugged them down and no more leaking.

 

[Jimmyb]

I replaced the rear gaskets already. Working on the front one now. Everything’s in the way. Trying to not take off the tank. Haha that’s a pain !!

 

[Jersey Big Mike]

I replaced the rear gaskets already. Working on the front one now. Everything’s in the way. Trying to not take off the tank. Haha that’s a pain !!

Sorry I didn't answer earlier -- My K-9 developed a leaky front rocker box a couple of years ago -- bought the gaskets but didn't have time to do them before a trip. So I tried something -- I wiped gasket sealer around the rocker box on the outside where they meet -- sealed it for like 1 1/2yrs.

 

[Jimmyb]

I got both of them changed. Took a couple short rides. Gonna try to take a long one today and see if the seals still hold. So far so good! I’m feeling pretty good about it so far.