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BecketMa
Feb 19th, 2008, 12:41 am
Well. It was a beautiful day today. So I decided it was time to wash my LT. Most of the ground has dried out from recent rain (Yes it actually rained here!).

I rode her onto the back patio, put a block of 2X4 under the rear wheel, and backed her onto the center stand.

After I was finished washing her, I decide that since she was up, and it was nice out, I might as well changed the fluid in the rear end.

Once that was done, I figured I'd do the engine oil. I deftly laid down on my side, looked under neath to see what size allen wrench I need, and that is when I saw IT!

My cash pan was covered in oil mixed with dirt. There were rows of oil mixed with dirt hanging off the oil cooler fins, and off the cover for the oil filter. My heart sank.

Knowing there wasn't a thing I could do about it right then, I skulked off to get an oil filter from my garage.

I grabbed the filter box. It looked odd so I opened it. Sure enough, it was a fuel filter. I can't believe I only bought one oil filter last time!.

While I was there I grabbed one on my long neck funnels, labeled trany and rear end and headed back to my LT.

I dropped the caked crash pan, and cursed whomever decide to hang that bracket in front of the trany drain plug. I removed the plug, spilt oil, shoved my funnel into the spilling oil, wedged it into place, and began cleaning up the spilt oil.

As it was draining, I started removing tupperware screws and the foot peg bracket. I used the rubber band set up I made last time to tie it to the rear peg, removed the fill plug, shoved the flexible tubing into the hole, removed the cover from the funnel and added trany fluid into the funnel. It was then that I saw the problem.

I was pouring 75X135 fluid that sat in my unheated garage into a funnel with a FINE screen in it. It poured OK, but it wasn't going thru that screen faster than if it was molasses.

I hung the funnel upright with a bunge cord, and started cleaning up. Next, I made some coffee. With coffee cup in hand, I went back to watch the molasses. Its then I remembered that I shoulda measured how much I put into the funnel.

Next I figured out that the trany would fill faster if I put the drain plug back in?

You know whats worse than waiting for the trany oil to go through the screen? Its removing the plastic tubing when its done and seeing molasses coming out of the hole, and hour after sunset.

I think I'll drill a drain hole in the clutch housing, since my clutch isn't slipping. And then contemplate, if I'm really going to yank the trany out and start replacing oil seals?

I've seen the pix posted here, and read up on it. But, I don't know if I have the confidence to dis-embowel my LT, and then get everything back where it should be.

I remember when I bought my LT--I thought to my self, unlike my HDs, I wasn't going to have to modify it to get it to run right, and NO MORE oil leaks!

If I drill the drain hole large enough for the engine oil to leak out, can I just keep fillin up the oil and shove a oil leak pan under the LT and make believe she is a HD wanna be?

Bob Oh OH LT

messenger13
Feb 19th, 2008, 2:22 am
But, I don't know if I have the confidence to dis-embowel my LT, and then get everything back where it should be.Get out your digital camara and take pics of EVERYTHING! Every step of the way. Sometimes video (due to the addition of audio) is also a great tool. You'll do just fine.

As for a BMW being a HD wannabe? I don't think so. The difference? When a BMW leaks, you know something's wrong. When an HD leaks ... well that's just S.O.P.! :D

loser
Feb 19th, 2008, 8:47 am
Get out your digital camara and take pics of EVERYTHING! Every step of the way. Sometimes video (due to the addition of audio) is also a great tool. You'll do just fine.

As for a BMW being a HD wannabe? I don't think so. The difference? When a BMW leaks, you know something's wrong. When an HD leaks ... well that's just S.O.P.! :D


After reading many of these posts, it seems like there can be plenty wrong with an LT before you notice any signs. I have had my 04 LT 2 1/2 years now and really like it but these posts do not paint a "very pretty picture" regarding dependability. I have had quite a few HD's over the years and currently have three in addition to the LT. I have never had what I would consider major failures with any of them, just routine maintenance as needed.

I am not your typical HD guy in that I have the bikes to ride....not wash and polish. My 01 Road king classic looks older than my 51 panhead. Rust, pits, scrathces.....you should see the looks I get if I pull into a HD dealer or rally on it....its hilarious. As for leaking oil, the new ones I have had are/were 100% tight. The older ones....well....as they say, they are just "marking their turf". I love the old HD's....my 51 pan and 68 FLH "stir my innards" more than any LT ever will BUT......when you want to put on some miles and/or "feel the need for speed" the LT fits the bill. I just wish I could quit reading this forum.....has me waiting for the BIG $$$ failures many have with the LT.

Steve

cfell
Feb 19th, 2008, 9:29 am
The LT is no harder or more expensive to repair than an HD.... just different... which is in keeping with many things about BMW.

I remember having flats on HD and looking for ways to "jack" the thing up on the side of the road..

... and trying to find a hammer....

messenger13
Feb 19th, 2008, 9:50 am
Steve,

Let me just say publically that I am not "in all honesty" a Harley basher. Personally, I think they're the best looking bike on the road, especially in the cruiser catagory. But yes, the sarcastic and joking side of me LOVES to bash Harleys ... just as I bash every other manufacturer out there. But it's all in good fun. The bottom line: Ride what YOU want to ride. I'll wave atcha ... no matter what it is. :)

As for the dependability of the LT. This forum is mostly owners that are looking for solutions to a problem they are having. Don't confuse this forum with 'The Big Picture'. In here, we're looking at the LT under a big microscope. It's kinda like hanging out at a Police Station to see what the human race is like. Know what I mean?


Bob, Sorry for the thread hijack. :o

fpmlt
Feb 19th, 2008, 9:58 am
"I was pouring 75X135 fluid that sat in my unheated garage into a funnel with a FINE screen in it. It poured OK, but it wasn't going thru that screen faster than if it was molasses."

I did the same thing Sunday. Went digging through my shop and found a very old oil can, one of those with about a 1/2 pint cup, and the old pump and long skinny nozzle (sort of like the old railroad engineer style). Anyway, my son-in-law is laughing his butt off at me, until I had the tranny and FD filled in no time, and not a drop on the ground. Worked great.
I use a 75/140 GL5 synthetic, and the shifting seamed to smooth out considerably.

loser
Feb 19th, 2008, 10:21 am
Steve,

Let me just say publically that I am not "in all honesty" a Harley basher. Personally, I think they're the best looking bike on the road, especially in the cruiser catagory. But yes, the sarcastic and joking side of me LOVES to bash Harleys ... just as I bash every other manufacturer out there. But it's all in good fun. The bottom line: Ride what YOU want to ride. I'll wave atcha ... no matter what it is. :)

As for the dependability of the LT. This forum is mostly owners that are looking for solutions to a problem they are having. Don't confuse this forum with 'The Big Picture'. In here, we're looking at the LT under a big microscope. It's kinda like hanging out at a Police Station to see what the human race is like. Know what I mean?


Bob, Sorry for the thread hijack. :o


Bob,
I did not mean to imply that I was taking offense to anything. I really like the LT and ride it much more than any other bike I have ever had (mainly due to its cold weather friendliness) but reading this forum is making me a little paranoid. Your comments make sense and I will keep that perspective as I read these posts.

I totally admit that the LT is a superior machine to ANY bike I have owned or ridden in comfort and performance. It just doesn't have that "intangible" connection or spot in my heart that other bikes have for me. I am sure many on here feel the same way about "their old babies", whatever make they may be. I get a much bigger grin on my face when I see anything old driving down the road (machines....lol) than a new shiny whatever.....

Steve

BecketMa
Feb 19th, 2008, 10:58 am
I remember reading supposition that lack of use might be the reason why the LT oils seals leak. Its a rarity that I'm not out on my LT at least two times a week. My guess is that is enough to keep the seals well oiled.

I started looking for part number for the engine and trany seals, along with the slave cylinder and didn't find them in the Hall of Wisdom.

Steve, messenger13 is our beloved Joe (just bein Joe). Glad to see you enjoy riding the mcs you own.

Oh. I forgot to mention that while I cleaning, turning wrenches, watching the oil flow, my CD play back stopped. My first reaction was "Great! Now I have dead battery." But, I remembered someone posted that the radio shuts itself off, sorta like a count down timer to prevent killing the battery.

SHe fired up fine.

Bob

messenger13
Feb 19th, 2008, 11:52 am
Oh. I forgot to mention that while I cleaning, turning wrenches, watching the oil flow, my CD play back stopped. My first reaction was "Great! Now I have dead battery." But, I remembered someone posted that the radio shuts itself off, sorta like a count down timer to prevent killing the battery.

SHe fired up fine.Two hour timer on the radio/CD Player. Gotta love it. :bmw: