Main Menu
|
|
Active Threads
|
Keep & Kill
Last Post: Crusty
Posted On: 4 Hours Ago
Replies: 19,492
Views: 1,164,015
|
|
Members Birthdays
|
|
1 Week Ago
|
 |
Rider Of The Iron Steed
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: London, ON Canada
Posts: 32,520 Sportster/Buell Model: XLH Sportster/Buell Year: 1978
|
|
The problem with valve seals is the lack of lubrication to the exhaust valves. Some engines can get away with it, some can not. On my 1978 I could not ride at a steady 70 MPH for more than about 5 miles and then I would hear the clatter - an exhaust stuck.
I would pull off to the roadside, wait for a few minutes, then ride off again. I got lucky. I dismantled the top end, removed the seals and it was fine after that.
IMO it is OK to install them on the intake valves, although I would not, but it is courting disaster to install them on the exhaust valves. It is not at all necessary to install them in either location.
The history is that...
- they were not installed from the factory
- they are not necessary
- some have got away with it
- some have not
- there is no good reason to install them
|
1 Week Ago
|
|
XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,021
|
|
Thank you Mick. It is a reasonable solution to a non-existent problem.
Dave
|
1 Week Ago
|
|
Biker
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: 45 Stuart St
Posts: 45 Sportster/Buell Model: xlch Sportster/Buell Year: 67 Sportster/Buell Model #2: XLCH Sportster/Buell Year #2: 67 Other Motorcycle Model: XLCH Other Motorcycle Year: 69
|
|
Before i put valve seals in my 84 XLX with 32K original miles and never ben apart and no leaks or noises and runs great i used a quart of oil in about 2 hundred miles, now with seals i use almost a quart in a thousand miles. So no need for valve seals i guess. LOL
|
1 Week Ago
|
|
Master Mechanic
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 252 Sportster/Buell Model: XLCH Sportster/Buell Year: 1971
|
|
oldschool, were valve seals the only thing you did to solve the oil consumption problem or was it part of a top end rebuild?
|
1 Week Ago
|
 |
Senior Master Custom Bike Builder
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Cornelius, OR
Posts: 9,501
|
|
A little oil consumption is not a problem, except for the EPA
__________________
Ryder Rick "I know right from wrong, but sometimes, wrong feels right"
|
1 Week Ago
|
|
Master Mechanic
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 252 Sportster/Buell Model: XLCH Sportster/Buell Year: 1971
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ryder rick
A little oil consumption is not a problem, except for the EPA
|
+1, a little is fine, in fact my original owners manual says oil consumption will range from 1 quart for 250 to 500 miles depending on how you ride. On my 1971 (original owner) I am using 1 quart for 200 miles. Will find out why this spring when we tear it down and look at the top end. |
1 Week Ago
|
|
Biker
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: 45 Stuart St
Posts: 45 Sportster/Buell Model: xlch Sportster/Buell Year: 67 Sportster/Buell Model #2: XLCH Sportster/Buell Year #2: 67 Other Motorcycle Model: XLCH Other Motorcycle Year: 69
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Len PA
oldschool, were valve seals the only thing you did to solve the oil consumption problem or was it part of a top end rebuild?
|
All that has ben done is r&r the rocker box and install seals that is it = again 32 K miles and the motor has never ben apart except for this and my oil consumption is over like i said app. 1 quart in 1 K now. NO sticky valves runs perfect.
Last edited by oldschool; 6 Days Ago at 21:05..
Reason: add on
|
6 Days Ago
|
|
Senior Master Custom Bike Builder
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Cornelius, OR
Posts: 9,501
|
|
Don't try to fix it if it ain't broke.
If you are not killing mosquitoes, ride it like you stole it.
|
6 Days Ago
|
|
XL FORUM LIFE MEMBER
|
|
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1,339 Sportster/Buell Model: xlh Sportster/Buell Year: 1974
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ryder rick
Don't try to fix it if it ain't broke.
|
That's good advice if it's not broke.
The OP is using a quart of oil in 200 miles.
It's broke.
Burning it, leaking it, pushing it out the breather, or out the chain oiler or some combination of the four. Something's not right. |
6 Days Ago
|
 |
Senior Custom Bike Builder
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Paradise
Posts: 2,750 Sportster/Buell Model: xlch Sportster/Buell Year: 1977 Other Motorcycle Model: BMW K-1200/GT Other Motorcycle Year: 2004
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by IronMick
The problem with valve seals is the lack of lubrication to the exhaust valves. Some engines can get away with it, some can not. On my 1978 I could not ride at a steady 70 MPH for more than about 5 miles and then I would hear the clatter - an exhaust stuck.
I would pull off to the roadside, wait for a few minutes, then ride off again. I got lucky. I dismantled the top end, removed the seals and it was fine after that.
IMO it is OK to install them on the intake valves, although I would not, but it is courting disaster to install them on the exhaust valves. It is not at all necessary to install them in either location.
The history is that...
- they were not installed from the factory
- they are not necessary
- some have got away with it
- some have not
- there is no good reason to install them
|
I had that problem at 18,000 miles in 1977 and everyone said "ALL SPORTSTERS DO THAT"
Well, they shouldn't.......
Spoke with Warner Riley and he said to use CASTROL GTX 20/50...you won't have that problem again...
I asked.....are you SURE??
Yeah...but if you have doubts....do you know anyone with a built Jap 4 banger....
Yeah..Lee Cone....1975 Z-1000 with Yoshimuria 1300 kit with cams, head work, 4/1 pipe and a 10 sec flat 1/4 mile.....no oil cooler..and it is his daily transportation.....
OK...just ask him what he runs and do that...
Castrol GTX 20/50
182,000 miles later have never stuck an exhaust valve again
__________________
If loud pipes save lives....imagine what learning to ride will do for you.
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:05.
|
