'98 sportster 1200 oil leak

willh108 · 03-13-2012, 07:07 PM

Alright lady's and gents, here's my problem.

My '98 sporty has an oil leak in the left side (i think its called transfer case) where the shifter linkage enters the case. It has after market forward foot controls if that helps.

Now when i look at it there looks to be some sort of rubber bushing in between the linkage and the case, is that supposed to be the seal with some sort liquid gasket or something? It's just kind of chilling in between the shifter connection and and case so if not a seal what is the point of it? Is there some sort of oring or gasket that could've gone bad in there?

I'm sorry if my wording is incorrect, i'm not sure about the proper terminology of it haha. Any help is appreciated! Thanks guys

KC&CO

Dodsfall · 03-13-2012, 08:29 PM

There is a bushing that holds the oil in the primary drive where the shifter is. That needs to be replaced if it's leaking.

willh108 · 03-14-2012, 01:57 AM

alright thanks man!

willh108 · 03-14-2012, 08:49 AM

one more thing, is that something that i'll have to take the cover off for and replace from the inside??

Dodsfall · 03-14-2012, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willh108

one more thing, is that something that i'll have to take the cover off for and replace from the inside??

I'm not sure. I'll check the manual for my '08 when I get home from work to see what the procedure is if you don't have an answer by then. It should be similar.

willh108 · 03-14-2012, 11:03 PM

Alright thanks man!

Dodsfall · 03-15-2012, 09:14 AM

This is for an '08, but it should be similar.

It looks like there is both an outer rubber washer and inner seal for the shifter. The seal needs to be replaced from the inside of the primary cover.

The shifter and foot peg need to be removed, primary oil drained, primary chain tensioner relaxed, loosen clutch adjustment, remove clutch inspection cover (remove the spring in the cover), loosen the ramp assembly for the clutch cable, then remove the cable. Next remove the primary cover and replace the seal.

You will need a new oil seal, a new gasket for the primary cover, a new gasket for the clutch inspection cover, and a new o ring for the clutch cable end.

willh108 · 03-15-2012, 04:04 PM

Dodsfall, you are my hero!!! I'm going to pick up a manual! if its anything like you said it shouldn't be horribly difficult! Thanks man!

Lurch77 · 03-17-2012, 12:41 PM

Directions in these manuals generally make things sound harder than they really are. This shouldn't much of a big deal at all if you know your way around some hand tools.

willh108 · 03-17-2012, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lurch77

Directions in these manuals generally make things sound harder than they really are. This shouldn't much of a big deal at all if you know your way around some hand tools.

hand tools? you mean like a hammer???

haha jkjk, but ya, i think i should be fine, do you think i'd be able to accomplish this while its on its kickstand??? if not i have a bike jack that i do believe will work for my bike but not a whole lot of room in my garage to set it up you know

Lurch77 · 03-17-2012, 10:51 PM

Yeah, it'll be doable on the stand, but you'll be working down real low, which will make things a pain in the butt......and the back and knees too.

Dodsfall · 03-18-2012, 12:15 AM

A motorcycle lift would be ideal, but sometimes you just have to make due.

Eye_m_no_angel · 03-18-2012, 12:34 AM

You can do it on the jiffy stand. If you can't get it on a lift of some sort it can help if you can stand the bike so the right side is next to a wall or solid object, point the front wheel to the left, lean it up-right, and secure it to the wall or object with a ratchet strap passed over the seat or rear fender and hooked to the swingarm on the left side. It's not a big deal, but it just makes it easier if the bike's upright.

A service manual is a great idea too. It details each part of the job completely, and it gives you the correct torque specs, SWL's, and adjustments.

willh108 · 03-20-2012, 11:00 PM

Well, picked myself up a service manual from harley, came out to be the same amount as if i'd have ordered one from clymer. Also got a gasket kit ordered today and will have it hopefully by thuresday and will have it all done by sunday! this is my first major repair so wish me luck! I will keep you updated!

mister880 · 04-13-2012, 01:55 PM

i think i may have the same issue as you posted. noticed yesterday there is some oil residue around where the shift linkage goes into the transfer case. my bike is all stock though.

Dodsfall · 04-13-2012, 03:52 PM

The HD service manuals are a bargain compared to most brands.

03-13-2012, 07:07 PM	#1
willh108 Master At Arms Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 159	'98 sportster 1200 oil leak Alright lady's and gents, here's my problem. My '98 sporty has an oil leak in the left side (i think its called transfer case) where the shifter linkage enters the case. It has after market forward foot controls if that helps. Now when i look at it there looks to be some sort of rubber bushing in between the linkage and the case, is that supposed to be the seal with some sort liquid gasket or something? It's just kind of chilling in between the shifter connection and and case so if not a seal what is the point of it? Is there some sort of oring or gasket that could've gone bad in there? I'm sorry if my wording is incorrect, i'm not sure about the proper terminology of it haha. Any help is appreciated! Thanks guys KC&CO

03-13-2012, 08:29 PM	#2
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,913	There is a bushing that holds the oil in the primary drive where the shifter is. That needs to be replaced if it's leaking. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-14-2012, 08:49 AM	#4
willh108 Master At Arms Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 159	one more thing, is that something that i'll have to take the cover off for and replace from the inside?? Last edited by Dodsfall; 03-14-2012 at 08:52 AM..

03-15-2012, 09:14 AM	#7
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,913	This is for an '08, but it should be similar. It looks like there is both an outer rubber washer and inner seal for the shifter. The seal needs to be replaced from the inside of the primary cover. The shifter and foot peg need to be removed, primary oil drained, primary chain tensioner relaxed, loosen clutch adjustment, remove clutch inspection cover (remove the spring in the cover), loosen the ramp assembly for the clutch cable, then remove the cable. Next remove the primary cover and replace the seal. You will need a new oil seal, a new gasket for the primary cover, a new gasket for the clutch inspection cover, and a new o ring for the clutch cable end. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-18-2012, 12:15 AM	#12
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,913	A motorcycle lift would be ideal, but sometimes you just have to make due. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-14-2012, 01:57 AM	#3
willh108 Master At Arms Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 159	alright thanks man!

03-14-2012, 11:03 PM	#6
willh108 Master At Arms Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 159	Alright thanks man!

03-15-2012, 04:04 PM	#8
willh108 Master At Arms Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 159	Dodsfall, you are my hero!!! I'm going to pick up a manual! if its anything like you said it shouldn't be horribly difficult! Thanks man!

03-17-2012, 12:41 PM	#9
Lurch77 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northeast Wisconsin Posts: 1,436	Directions in these manuals generally make things sound harder than they really are. This shouldn't much of a big deal at all if you know your way around some hand tools.

03-17-2012, 10:51 PM	#11
Lurch77 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northeast Wisconsin Posts: 1,436	Yeah, it'll be doable on the stand, but you'll be working down real low, which will make things a pain in the butt......and the back and knees too.

03-18-2012, 12:34 AM	#13
Eye_m_no_angel Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Daytona Beach, FL Posts: 4,260	You can do it on the jiffy stand. If you can't get it on a lift of some sort it can help if you can stand the bike so the right side is next to a wall or solid object, point the front wheel to the left, lean it up-right, and secure it to the wall or object with a ratchet strap passed over the seat or rear fender and hooked to the swingarm on the left side. It's not a big deal, but it just makes it easier if the bike's upright. A service manual is a great idea too. It details each part of the job completely, and it gives you the correct torque specs, SWL's, and adjustments.

03-20-2012, 11:00 PM	#14
willh108 Master At Arms Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 159	Well, picked myself up a service manual from harley, came out to be the same amount as if i'd have ordered one from clymer. Also got a gasket kit ordered today and will have it hopefully by thuresday and will have it all done by sunday! this is my first major repair so wish me luck! I will keep you updated!

04-13-2012, 01:55 PM	#15
mister880 Verified Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 27	i think i may have the same issue as you posted. noticed yesterday there is some oil residue around where the shift linkage goes into the transfer case. my bike is all stock though.

04-13-2012, 03:52 PM	#16
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,913	The HD service manuals are a bargain compared to most brands. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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