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Old 10-20-2017, 11:06 AM   #1
danimal2   danimal2 is offline
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Replacing front cylinder valve cover gasket

Thought I'd put this up since I haven't seen anything about it yet and everybody else is so good about posting up the "little things".

I developed a serious oil leak while on a couple hundred mile ride and lost almost a quart of oil on my right pant leg before making it home.

Had trouble identifying where the leak was coming from since it would only happen at speeds above 55 mph and then blow around so it was hard to tell.

Long story short I pretty much figured it was the valve cover gasket on the front cylinder and ordered a replacement for it. The manual tells you to pull the motor in order to replace it, but I got to looking at it and found it could be done by pulling the seat, gas tank, the hoses for the radiator and marbeling deal, horns and horn bracket and the top part of the radiator. I know it sound like a lot, but it's really only an hour worth of work and way easier than pulling the motor.

It's a bit tricky due to space constraints, but I got it in without taking anything else apart (or pulling the motor) and it solved my leak. Happy to say that for $20 and some easy wrenching I'm riding again and my pant leg is oil free.

Of course if you feel the need (or the rear cylinder is leaking), you'll have to pull the motor for that one.
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Last edited by danimal2; 10-20-2017 at 11:40 AM.
 
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Old 10-20-2017, 11:32 AM   #2
redjay   redjay is offline
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I think sometimes a service manual over complicates some procedures in an attempt to make you take it to the dealer and not attempt it yourself.
 
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Old 10-20-2017, 11:54 AM   #3
DragonLady58   DragonLady58 is offline
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Yes, I totally agree. But let me also say this, when working in close quarters on these bikes, I do not hesitate to drop a engine. It takes me less time to drop a engine outta the way and replace a VC gasket than it does me comtemplating it.
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Old 10-20-2017, 01:47 PM   #4
Bud2rat   Bud2rat is offline
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I just replaced both valve covers and the cam plugs on mine. I just dropped the down to allow enough clearance. It took about 3 hrs for all. It sure beat the price the local dealer quoted.
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Old 10-20-2017, 02:44 PM   #5
danimal2   danimal2 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DragonLady58 View Post
Yes, I totally agree. But let me also say this, when working in close quarters on these bikes, I do not hesitate to drop a engine. It takes me less time to drop a engine outta the way and replace a VC gasket than it does me comtemplating it.
I would've dropped it if I needed the back one too. I actually bought two gaskets with that in mind. When it's just the front this is maybe an hour job, probably less now that I've done one.
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Last edited by danimal2; 10-20-2017 at 04:39 PM.
 
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Old 10-21-2017, 03:49 PM   #6
DragonLady58   DragonLady58 is offline
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3 hours if I don't have all my air tools out. 3 1/2 from the time I open my toolbox, with bike on lift....
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Don't start no schit,
there won't be no schit....
*My Sarcasm is directly proportional
to the amount of Stupidity involved*
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VROC#37400

VRA
---------------------
2014 Vaquero
2001 Nomad FI
2003 Street Glide (sold)
1500 Meanie, fresh rebuild (sold)
90s BUBF Bobber (sold)
2001 UltraCycle FatPounder (Sold)
1975 HD ElectraGlide (Sold)
1982 Kawasaki Z1 Chopper (Sold)
Suck It Up & Ride!
 
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