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10-20-2017, 11:06 AM | #1 |
Advanced Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Glendale, Arizona
Posts: 987
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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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VBA member #01682 Green 1999 Nomad 1500 carb'd 43,000 miles JOG'd at 20,000, JOG failed at 40,000 SOG'd at 40,000 Darksider Login or Register to Remove Ads
Last edited by danimal2; 10-20-2017 at 11:40 AM.
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10-20-2017, 11:32 AM | #2 |
Top Contributor
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Ontario
Posts: 6,978
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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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10-20-2017, 11:54 AM | #3 |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Somewhere South of Alaska....
Posts: 2,361
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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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--------------------- Don't start no schit, there won't be no schit.... *My Sarcasm is directly proportional to the amount of Stupidity involved* --------------------- VBA#03239 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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10-20-2017, 01:47 PM | #4 |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: St. Pauls, NC
Posts: 2,089
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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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Robert Torrey VBA# 02077 Vroc# 27672 1996 800A Customized (SOLD) 2001 1500 Nomad (The Mistress) 2013 Voyager 2014 SE Rally - Elkins, WV 2016 SE Rally - Helen, Ga |
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10-20-2017, 02:44 PM | #5 |
Advanced Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Glendale, Arizona
Posts: 987
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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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VBA member #01682 Green 1999 Nomad 1500 carb'd 43,000 miles JOG'd at 20,000, JOG failed at 40,000 SOG'd at 40,000 Darksider Login or Register to Remove Ads
Last edited by danimal2; 10-20-2017 at 04:39 PM.
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10-21-2017, 03:49 PM | #6 |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Somewhere South of Alaska....
Posts: 2,361
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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* --------------------- VBA#03239 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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