| Author | Message | ||
     Adsva83 |
I'm looking for some help on the difficulty level to change the base gaskets, '00 X1? The one on my rear cylinder is leaking and I want to change it myself, rather than pay a HD shop to do it. The bike only has 6k miles on it but the previous owner didn't even have plates on it for 3 years, which means it sat a lot. This is kind of evident because my primary cover gasket is starting to leak around the top edge as well. Are there any other gaskets I should change while I'm in there? | ||
| Essmjay |
If it is like the other tubers you can easily change all the top end gaskets with the motor in the bike. You didn't mention mileage, if low, you can remove the cylinders with the pistons still in them and reinstall without touching the rings by lifting the cylinders and removing the wrist pins. If you are comfortable with tools, have a service manual and can read, along with badweb, then you can do it. The first time can be a challenge, but just go one step at a time, take pictures, and go slow. Go ahead and buy a top end gasket kit and just replace everything. Use a good quality kit, You can use one from HD for a '00 Sportster (someone will correct me if I am wrong). There are alternatives, but the HD gaskets are easy to install. Myself, at that point I would get a primary gasket and take a look around inside the primary. After doing the top end it will be an easy job. Or, do that first to increase your confidence. The top end should only take you about 3-4 evenings if you go slow and easy. but for all the steps involved in replacing that rear rear base gasket, only a couple more steps replaces the front as well, all the other top end gaskets are in your way on the removal anyway. shane | ||
| Adsva83 |
It only has 6,000 miles and counting, but it sat idle for 3 years. I'm guessing without being ran for that long of a time the gaskets would have started to dry up a bit, which is why they're leaking with the low miles. I don't have a service manual so that would be the first step. I'm pretty familiar with the wrenching part of it, just small amounts on a bike, most has been on cars. | ||
| Buellistic |
BUELLers: You can remove the PISTON WRIST PINS and not disturb the rings by leaving the pistons in the cylinders ... | ||
| Fullauto |
I just did the base gasket thing recently and the worst bit was getting the old gasket off the barrels. Slow job. The only other issue was the pushrod seals but there is a thread about them which explains it well and I had no problems with it, once I'd figured out how to do it. The Cometic metal gaskets are much easier to work with and don't glue themselves to parts. | ||
| Essmjay |
The new HD and Buell base and primary gaskets are metal also, including the primary. I have found the rockerbox rubber gaskets from HD to be easier to install than the Cometics ones. YMMV You know, unless it is leaking really badly, I would just ride it the rest of the summer. You won't hurt anything, and working on your bike when the weather won't allow fun riding makes more sense to me. Even a bad weep won't usually lose much oil. | ||
| Adsva83 |
That was going to be my next question, can I just ride it the rest of the season and change them during the off season? I'm in Indiana so I only have about 3 more months before it's too cold to ride, for my blood anyway. I'll obviously keep a close eye on the oil level to make sure it's where it needs to be. | ||
| Kyrocket |
A little bit of oil can make a big mess. I rode mine a full season while it was weeping, it wasn't a bad weep, just enough to know it was there. Just keep an eye on your oil level and you should be ok. | ||
| Buellistic |
BUELLers: Put to much in your oil system, it will come out some where, ie: base gaskets and head breathers ... Want a copy of CHECK YOUR OIL "101", e-mail me for yours ... You will get any and all "INFO" that "i" have ... MAY THE LONG LASTING BUELL BE WITH YOU !!! |
