Oil leak at 3500 miles

[sarge7882]

Near the end of a good ride today, I stopped at a traffic light and smelled what I thought was the car in front of me. It smelled like burning oil. That car turned off and at the next light I smelled it again. This time, I was the only one at the light so......I knew it had to be my trike. I pulled over and found some oil had gotten on the exhaust and that was causing the smell. I looked under the trike and the bottom of the engine had a light covering of oil almost all over it. I checked the oil and it was showing full. I was only about 1/2 mile from the house so I went on home but it was too dark to really see much when I got there. I got a flashlight and could not see much better, so I guess I will have to wait till morning to see what I can find. Needless to say, I ain't a happy camper right now. Only 3500 miles and an oil leak? I have lost count on the number of bikes I have owned but this is my first Harley. I always joked my friends that ride them that I didn't want one due to all the problems they are known for, but in reality, I just couldn't afford one until now. I NEVER had any oil leak on any of my Hondas or Yamahas. Now this comes up! I love my Triglide (except for the heat and lack of power) but tonight I am wondering why I left the "rice burners". I live 100 miles from the dealer, so I hope what I find is a minor issue and I will be happy again in the morning. Wish me luck.

[CadtoChrome]

check for rocker box leaking. Front or Rear, it does happen.
I agree it is uncommon for low mileage bike.....

[Gorilla]

Near the end of a good ride today, I stopped at a traffic light and smelled what I thought was the car in front of me. It smelled like burning oil. That car turned off and at the next light I smelled it again. This time, I was the only one at the light so......I knew it had to be my trike. I pulled over and found some oil had gotten on the exhaust and that was causing the smell. I looked under the trike and the bottom of the engine had a light covering of oil almost all over it. I checked the oil and it was showing full. I was only about 1/2 mile from the house so I went on home but it was too dark to really see much when I got there. I got a flashlight and could not see much better, so I guess I will have to wait till morning to see what I can find. Needless to say, I ain't a happy camper right now. Only 3500 miles and an oil leak? I have lost count on the number of bikes I have owned but this is my first Harley. I always joked my friends that ride them that I didn't want one due to all the problems they are known for, but in reality, I just couldn't afford one until now. I NEVER had any oil leak on any of my Hondas or Yamahas. Now this comes up! I love my Triglide (except for the heat and lack of power) but tonight I am wondering why I left the "rice burners". I live 100 miles from the dealer, so I hope what I find is a minor issue and I will be happy again in the morning. Wish me luck.

Did you have any service done on it lately?

[sarge7882]

The last service was done at 1000 miles in late July.

[Gorilla]

look and see if the oil filter came loose or there might be a leak in one of the oil cooler lines. Very remote for the oil filter mount to come loose. If it were a valve cover you would have oil on the front of the engine besides the bottom. I betting on the oil filter being loose.

[TheBobs]

I had some seepage from the oil cooler lines on my '03 SERK. The only oil it ever dripped. I had the dealer renew and double up the clamps. It had 6700 miles then. Never leaked a drop again.

[tfdeputydawg]

Check the filter and check the drain plug.
A lot of places do not replace the seal on the drain plug when oil is changed and that leads to seepage or worse.
Doesn't take much to look like a lot!