[skull2007]

with the weather the way it is i won't be ridng for awhile; so . . .i drained my primary, the stuff was black with some metal shavings on the drian plug. my question is should the fluid be that dirty if regular maintaince has been done all along(the bike has 20,000mis on him, mostly highway) i'm thinking i've been paying for something that hasn't been being done took yhe primary cover off and things are clean w/o any additional metal shavings i know to check/adjust the chain, and will check the tork on all the available nuts and bolts. i'll do the cluch too. any thing else i should look for?

[chucktx]

as for the shavings, yes you will find a very small amount. as for being dirty, yes it will be dirty. the clutches loose some lining during use and that is what your seeing, clutch dust, much like the dust on your wheels. look at the teeth on the sprockets, they should not be sharp, they should have a sort of bluntness to them....at the point... check the adjusting shoe, it will be worn some but should not have deep grooves in it. if it does it is an easy change. cant think of anything else in there to check, just look around and if ya see something that looks out of the ordinary....post it up and we will see if we can help you.....

[VYBR8ER]

If you are putting the bike up for the winter, put STABIL, a gas stabilizer found at most car parts stores in the fuel tank. Use the recommended amounts and remember that you only have a five gallon gas tank.

[skull2007]

hopefully we'll get a break in the weather. i never store, there's always a day or two, i'm just getting ready for it. i just can't bring myself to drain him like some do. i feel as if i'm draining the blood out of my best friend. i keep the bat. charged and fire em up a couple times a week. wish i could keep em in the living room...... but i do that it'll really get cold around here; inside and out

[chucktx]

:d

[FLHTbiker]

We got a chance to get the bikes out today in between the rain drops and didn't even have to use the heated gear. Managed to ride for about 4 hours and then stopped for lunch at a place called the Wild Mustang Café in St. Paul Oregon . The food was absolutely great and they really pile it on.

I don't like putting the bike up for the winter either as like today there are sometimes days that we can still get out for a bit of riding.

[HAMSHOG]

Cold Maintanence? We just check the tire pressure, make sure there's fuel in the tank and oil in the crank, throw on a fleece under the duster and ride!!!

[skull2007]

well things are looking good. the gears are bearly looking broke in the chain is right at 5/8in. the shoe is worn almost the thickness of a dime with no abnormal looking wear patterns. when adjusting the clutch; the manaul notes after lightly seating turn out 1/2 -1 full turn. i have two questions:

**what do they mean by "lightly seated" are they saying as far as the adjusting screw will possibly go or till i feel that first light stage long before it's screwed all the way down?

** what are the pro's and cons of 1/2 v.s 1 complete turn out

[chucktx]

ok....the newstyle clutches are very sensitive....not like the older ones(if you familiar with them). my personal experience is 1/2 to 1 turn after touching the throwout rod is way to much. the clutch doesnt release cleanly at those specs. (that said your clutch may not as no two are the same). i just touch the throwout rod and back the screw maybe 1/8 turn. i look at the "C" clip holding the retainer in, and judge when the screw is not applying pressure there....keeping in mind that things get a bit bigger when heated. i then use the cable adjuster to get aprox 1/8 inch free play in my lever. hope this helps...if not let us know and we will help ya get through it!!!!

[skull2007]

i called the stealer they want $30 for that outter prim. gasketwith only 20,000 on it i'm thinking that gasket could be doctored up a bit and re-used. if it leaks it won't be hard to get to what do you guys think about this. according to the manual nothing should ever be re-used

[ringo912]

Originally Posted by skull2007

i called the stealer they want $30 for that outter prim. gasketwith only 20,000 on it i'm thinking that gasket could be doctored up a bit and re-used. if it leaks it won't be hard to get to what do you guys think about this. according to the manual nothing should ever be re-used

My brother tried reusing his with only 15K on it and it leaked. Seems like it doesn't reseat the same way once it's removed. But for $30 ya may want to give it a try. Only thing ya got to loose is a little time. Ya might want to put a little sealer on it if you use the old one. JMO

[hotroadking]

If it's one of the new gaskets with the metal insert then you can probably get away with a couple of uses.

I've done it several time 3 or more on one of those, however at some point you have to cry uncle and buy a new gasket.

The old style with the red line are the ones that won't make it much past one or two uses.

try it only thing you have to loose is you'll be cleaning up the fluid off the bike and have to drain, pull it apart and put in more oil.

[skull2007]

it does have the metal in it. i'm going to go to an auto parts store and see about some sort of spray on sealer. if i strike out there i'm thinking hard on a thin, well placed layer of silicone crap.

[ringo912]

My brothers was the old red line style.

[mwelych]

Hamshog... Ditto here too... Although I haven't ridden mine as much... Needs a clutch... Plan on getting it done during Xmas break...

[chucktx]

i would not advise using the spray sealer.....not a great idea. get some hi temp silicone in a tube. put some on the clean primary cover...sparingly, then place the gasket on it, then attach the cover to the inner and torque acordanly. i have never liked the spray on gasket stuff cause it goes everywhere and doesnt do that good a job of sealing....jmho....

[skull2007]

thats what i was thinking, been looking at this gasket, god is it thin

[skull2007]

wonder if the older models without the steel where cheaper, and maybe thicker this newer one with the steel is'nt real impressive looking

[chucktx]

i got one for my 06 in case i needed one. i have pulled my outer off about 4 times so far and havent replaced the gasket.....(that being said i figure i go into the shop in the morning and all the oil will be on the floor )
i use the silicone on it and it has no metal in it,and has some thickness to it.

[cowboy]

i also have a spare incase it's needed closest dealer is about 25 miles I had the one on my 03 replaced once dealer put some bushing in the tran's & I told them to just replace it , I don't trust them to reseal a old gasket's if you can just replace it or double check it real colse for any small rip's or tear's around the inside lip