2007 with an empty primary

mwchut · #1 7th January 2009

My wifes 07 sportster seems to have leaked out its primary oil. We suspect the bike got about 100 miles on with an empty primary. Is it worth ripping the side of the motor open to see if there was any residual damage or just fill it back up and see if I can figure out where its leaking?

bigjnsa · #2 7th January 2009

Nah, fill up the primary, go for a ride to warm it up, park it in the garage with some cardboard undernearth to check where it leaks.

Moved On / My Own Choice · #3 7th January 2009

How can a bike leak a FULL QUART OF OIL without someone noticing?

How new is this bike? You sure someone didn't F@#$ up during a service?

Regardless, that's NOT JUST primary oil, that's transmission oil too.

And IF damage was done the motor has to come out of the frame and disassembled to split the cases.

Therefore, NO, it's not worth ripping into it to find out IF damage was done, because you'll find out soon enough.

Meanwhile, are you SURE it's COMPLETELY EMPTY?

mwchut · #4 7th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev M

How can a bike leak a FULL QUART OF OIL without someone noticing?

How new is this bike? You sure someone didn't F@#$ up during a service?

Regardless, that's NOT JUST primary oil, that's transmission oil too.

And IF damage was done the motor has to come out of the frame and disassembled to split the cases.

Therefore, NO, it's not worth ripping into it to find out IF damage was done, because you'll find out soon enough.

Meanwhile, are you SURE it's COMPLETELY EMPTY?

It was making a bit of a whine so I went to drain the oil and only got about a pint out of it.. One assumes the rest of the space in there is air. I am going to send her down to the HD dealer to get some oil. It may have been a service issue at the 1k service which was done and not a leak now that you mention it. In which case I am going to make sure this gets documented with them in case it creates a mechanical issue.

bigjnsa · #5 7th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwchut

It was making a bit of a whine so I went to drain the oil and only got about a pint out of it.. One assumes the rest of the space in there is air. I am going to send her down to the HD dealer to get some oil. It may have been a service issue at the 1k service which was done and not a leak now that you mention it. In which case I am going to make sure this gets documented with them in case it creates a mechanical issue.

Only a pint? Sounds to me like they drained it but never filled the primary. Hopefully the primary isn't too badly damaged.

Moved On / My Own Choice · #6 7th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwchut

It was making a bit of a whine so I went to drain the oil and only got about a pint out of it.. One assumes the rest of the space in there is air. I am going to send her down to the HD dealer to get some oil. It may have been a service issue at the 1k service which was done and not a leak now that you mention it. In which case I am going to make sure this gets documented with them in case it creates a mechanical issue.

A pint?

Did you drain it into a measuring cup or an oil bottle to be sure?

if it's about a pint, that's ABOUT half of capacity.

Remember the transmission and primary aren't FILLED with oil, they have an oil level which is achieved with only one quart (spec used to be 28 oz).

So before you get too worried about it, a pint is within 16oz of full. Double-check your calibrated eye.

And even if so you PROBABLY didn't do much wear or damage.

But IF it's really only a pint, for sure document it.

And keep an eye on it. Even a pint of leaking fluid though would make a large puddle on the average garage floor/parking spot.

mwchut · #7 7th January 2009

I drained it into a measuring cup so I am pretty sure it's about a pint.... Good thing she hasn't been out riding..

daggar rider · #8 7th January 2009

thats a big miss on the MOCO's end. if she is past the breakin mileage i would fill her up and run the shit outta her, if you still have a warrenty, getting it documented is a really good idea, be carful though, the moco will do anything to NOT claim responsibility