Oil Misting front rocker seal

[splashman]

Been advised by HD that my front rocker seal needs to be replaced due to a very fine mist of oil coming onto the air filter, however they also say replace the rear seal at the same time, but this seal is OK.......am I just about to have my trousers taken down or do they both need replacing.

1200 Sportster on a 98 plate with 4k on the clock

Stuart

[Sportsterboy1974]

Common problem on Sportsters of that era..they had a really crap paper lower rocker gasket..replace with a James metal gasket and no more problems. It's likely the rear one will go in time so maybe best to sort them both out whilst everything off..why don't you buy a rocker gasket kit and do it yourself..it's fairly easy..probably take a morning if you take your time.

[Rubianroaddog]

Hey Splashman,
I had one of mine (rear) replaced by an indie, then within a month the other started pissing oil out, I did that one myself, relatively easy fix, had to take the coil and ignition switch off but it was OK. Gaskets cost less that £25 from a stealer.

Hope this helps.
Cheers
Mick
:60277EB7B 04744289C0

[splashman]

Thanks for those valued words but doing it myself sends a cold chill down my spine. I guess that the pair sounds good advice and will be done in good time.

Ta

[eggar]

if you do it yourself use clear silicon, i use it on my old bsa without gaskets, it's cheap and i never get an oil leak after using it and when it's cured use a stanley blade to remove the excess from the casings so you can't see it.

[Phil]

With all due respect, silicone has NO place on a Harley.

If you have chrome rockers have them belt sand the lower rocker surfaces.

Flat clean surfaces, a decent gasket & it will not leak again.

[Urrell]

I could be completely wrong on this helping yours

Mine gets thru a lot of oil when the tank is full.
If I let it get down to half way or even a little less it uses very little.
Got this advice from the XLForum.

Apparently it breathes a lot better when the oil level is down a bit and does not push it out of the rocker breathers into the carb so much.