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[Eqcons]

Regular readers will know that I have an oil leak, from a "split" in the crankcase; I've done a temporary repair with epoxy, and ridden 400 miles to test it; it leaks very slightly - not even enough to drip, just a slight wetness. I leave to go on vacation (4500 miles) 2 weeks on Thursday, the replacement crankcases have arrived, and the dealer has scheduled to start the rebuild this Thursday.

[bisounours]

Jim,

You know the oil leak, You live with and it's same a friend.
You look it each time you stop after a ride and you're not anxious if you see a little oil because you know the reason.

It's a split and it'll be not more big.

Good holidays, Ride safe and look for this problem when you come back home !

Jacques

[nidan]

I always prefer taking care of any issues before a trip .

[Eqcons]

I always prefer taking care of any issues before a trip .

Me too - but in plenty time before a trip, not at the last minute....

Jim

[bisounours]

Jim,

I know not if it was a goo idea to put a poll !

It'll be not easy to decide 

Jacques

[RedDevil]

Jim,
I personally would go with the new cases.  Your top-end is already broken in (rings have seated, etc.), and tested so that's not an issue. You're not going to be running with an untested engine, just new cases, all the internals will be the same and broken in.  I'd much rather go with the fixed cases and not have to worry whether that "weld" will hold for 4500 miles under various driving conditions.  As long as it's only going to take them a week to fix it...get it done, ride it a week before you go on your trip and you'll be good to go.  Just my opinion, as I'd rather go out with a good part then a known bad part.
Cheers ,
 

[Eqcons]

Jim,
I personally would go with the new cases.  Your top-end is already broken in (rings have seated, etc.), and tested so that's not an issue. You're not going to be running with an untested engine, just new cases, all the internals will be the same and broken in.  I'd much rather go with the fixed cases and not have to worry whether that "weld" will hold for 4500 miles under various driving conditions.  As long as it's only going to take them a week to fix it...get it done, ride it a week before you go on your trip and you'll be good to go.  Just my opinion, as I'd rather go out with a good part then a known bad part.
Cheers ,
 

Trouble is, Charlie, I don't know how much I trust the dealer to build it.  They have one - very tiny - workshop, with ALL the work going on in there.  Not the best environment at all. Not even a bench really..... 

And what if:  They strip the engine and find another problem, like the  crankshaft end float that others have had?  They put it back together, and one seal, or gasket, a long way back in the build leaks? They start to rebuild it and find that they are short of some item or other that HD don't have in stock in the UK? They don't even use Loctite - they use some 3rd party stuff that I've not heard of. It may be fine, I don't know - but I think they have just the one grade, not the several sealer and locker grades that HD specify.

Time is just too tight for me to trust in it all going perfectly.... 

[RedDevil]

Trouble is, Charlie, I don't know how much I trust the dealer to build it.  They have one - very tiny - workshop, with ALL the work going on in there.  Not the best environment at all. Not even a bench really..... 

And what if:  They strip the engine and find another problem, like the  crankshaft end float that others have had?  They put it back together, and one seal, or gasket, a long way back in the build leaks? They start to rebuild it and find that they are short of some item or other that HD don't have in stock in the UK? They don't even use Loctite - they use some 3rd party stuff that I've not heard of. It may be fine, I don't know - but I think they have just the one grade, not the several sealer and locker grades that HD specify.

Time is just too tight for me to trust in it all going perfectly.... 

Jim,
Understand your trepidation in this matter.  I'm not a wrench, so I don't know all there is to replacing the lower cases other than take apart the cases and put all the original "guts" back in and reassemble the top end to the new cases.   All of the things that you mentioned could happen, and then again it may not, it could also happen to the engine you have right now.   Not knowing your dealer like you do, requires that you make the call that is right for your situation.  I know which way I would go, but that's me.  I would also have a contingency that they provide me a loaner if they can't get it fixed in time.  I personally wouldn't go on a long trip with a known bad part.  But that's just me.  You're the one that has to be comfortable with the situation.  I wish there was a solid answer to give you, but that's a tough call for you I'm sure.   

Cheers ,
 

[Eqcons]

Jim,
Understand your trepidation in this matter.  I'm not a wrench, so I don't know all there is to replacing the lower cases other than take apart the cases and put all the original "guts" back in and reassemble the top end to the new cases.   All of the things that you mentioned could happen, and then again it may not, it could also happen to the engine you have right now.   Not knowing your dealer like you do, requires that you make the call that is right for your situation.  I know which way I would go, but that's me.  I would also have a contingency that they provide me a loaner if they can't get it fixed in time.  I personally wouldn't go on a long trip with a known bad part.  But that's just me.  You're the one that has to be comfortable with the situation.  I wish there was a solid answer to give you, but that's a tough call for you I'm sure.   

Cheers ,
 

It's as complete a disassembly as there is, Charlie. I've built engines for 40 years (well, I started 40 years back, and stopped back in 81...) and there are plenty things to go bang with a newly built engine - though mine never did!  What I don't want is to be 1000 miles from home in another country when it all goes wrong.

HD have given me a loaner Ultra, but it's a rustbucket that sometimes fails to start, and has none of my essentials for the long trip (no rack, no Bluetooth...) so that's a non-starter.  If we had longer to go than 2 weeks, I'd go with the rebuild, but it's just too tight......

[RedDevil]

It's as complete a disassembly as there is, Charlie. I've built engines for 40 years (well, I started 40 years back, and stopped back in 81...) and there are plenty things to go bang with a newly built engine - though mine never did!  What I don't want is to be 1000 miles from home in another country when it all goes wrong.

HD have given me a loaner Ultra, but it's a rustbucket that sometimes fails to start, and has none of my essentials for the long trip (no rack, no Bluetooth...) so that's a non-starter.  If we had longer to go than 2 weeks, I'd go with the rebuild, but it's just too tight......

Jim,
Understand.  You have to go with what your comfortable with.  Like I said, I'm not a wrench with the knowledge that you have, so I don't know all that's involved in doing that.  It definitely sounds involved and if you're not sure about your dealer, you're probably making the best decision given the circumstances.  Nothing worse that getting stranded a thousand miles away from home.  Good luck on your ride Jim. I hope everything holds together for you.  Don't forget, take plenty of pics to share when you get back.   
Cheers ,
 

[Twolanerider]

Trouble is, Charlie, I don't know how much I trust the dealer to build it.  They have one - very tiny - workshop, with ALL the work going on in there.  Not the best environment at all. Not even a bench really..... 

And what if:  They strip the engine and find another problem, like the  crankshaft end float that others have had?  They put it back together, and one seal, or gasket, a long way back in the build leaks? They start to rebuild it and find that they are short of some item or other that HD don't have in stock in the UK? They don't even use Loctite - they use some 3rd party stuff that I've not heard of. It may be fine, I don't know - but I think they have just the one grade, not the several sealer and locker grades that HD specify.

Time is just too tight for me to trust in it all going perfectly.... 

Jim, it sounds as if your real question isn't can they manage the rebuild before your trip.  The real question seems to be can they manage the rebuild?

Have you asked them the question, "Have you done this before; successfully?  And if so, how many times?"

If the job is beyond their skill level then make them an offer they can't refuse.  Tell them you'll sign all the paperwork saying they did the job and they can paid from Harley for doing the work just as if they did it.  Then load it all up and actually take it home to do yourself or to a shop you do trust.

You'll be out a labor bill.  But that's relatively cheap compared to a major breakdown far from home.

[d o g o l s]

Jim go knowing the leak is still there just watch it 

[Eqcons]

Jim, it sounds as if your real question isn't can they manage the rebuild before your trip.  The real question seems to be can they manage the rebuild?

Have you asked them the question, "Have you done this before; successfully?  And if so, how many times?"

If the job is beyond their skill level then make them an offer they can't refuse.  Tell them you'll sign all the paperwork saying they did the job and they can paid from Harley for doing the work just as if they did it.  Then load it all up and actually take it home to do yourself or to a shop you do trust.

You'll be out a labor bill.  But that's relatively cheap compared to a major breakdown far from home.

Yes, I've certainly thought along those lines 2L.  I'd do it myself, but they won't lend me the special tools.... ;-)

Of course their answer is yes, we've done it lots of times, but even if they have.....  There's a bit of a dearth of places that I'd trust to do it here in Scotland too, so at the end of the day, I think they're going to have to do it, but..... not two weeks before I HAVE to have the bike running well for my holiday.

Jim

[Eqcons]

Jim go knowing the leak is still there just watch it 

I'm leaning that way, Dogols!

Jim

[greglyon]

If the leak could get significantly worse do it now. If by it's nature it can't get worse wait til you get back. If that means getting it fixed now, explain your concerns to your dealer and see if they can provide you with a loaner should there be a problem.   I would still do a couple hundred mile shake down when you get it back prior to your departure.