Posted on Jul 23, 2015
CW3 Kevin Storm
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Your unit is about to go on an extended holiday weekend. Your Commander wants every member to have a vehicle inspection. You have a very experienced NCO doing the inspections. He notices what appears to be a leak coming out of soldiers motorcycle. He fails the motorcycle. Question was he right or was he wrong? Motorcycle in Question is a 1974 Harley Davidson Big Twin Shovel Head.
Posted in these groups: 31m8esm34pl Safety5ab7caaa MotorcyclesUntitled Motor Sergeant
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Responses: 18
SFC Management
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Wrong. I'd be more worried if a 74 HD Shovel wasn't leaking...
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CW3 Kevin Storm
CW3 Kevin Storm
9 y
Good point, Now the question is it a leak or something else?
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TSgt David L.
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He was wrong. The tolerance and machining on Harley-Davidson motorcycles before the Evolution engine was not great. The Evo forward a leak on a Harley was more of an exception rather than the rule. Therefore a Leaky Shovel was normal and the operator was probably on top of it.
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CW3 Kevin Storm
CW3 Kevin Storm
9 y
You are on the right track, Dry clutch Harleys, were supposed to drip oil onto the Clutch bearing to keep it lubricated. The excess oil would drip off of the bearing falling eventually tot he ground. But you are correct many a shovel leaked, actually many an iron head leaked.
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CW3 Kevin Storm
CW3 Kevin Storm
9 y
Leaked, seized, got bored out only to start the process all over again.
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TSgt David L.
TSgt David L.
9 y
You're all over it CW3 Kevin Storm. Leak by design!
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SFC Timothy Gallagher
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Wrong. A older Harley Davidson shovel head will always have an oil leak. You can rebuild the motor with new gaskets and it will leak.
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