Oil pan busted or? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

EastBayDyna510 · 11-22-2012, 07:21 PM

So today i was riding my 2001 fxdl and hopped onto the freeway and there was a pot hole in the road. it was covered with what looks like a steel plate? i don't know what they use, but it had quite a lip on it. having a stock fxdl my bike is low as ****. I couldn't get over into the next lane to avoid it so i just accelerated while standing up slightly to try and glide over it. it totally wasn't enough and i hit it pretty hard. When i got home and parked my bike i forgot to check right away for a oil pan leak. an hour later there was a very small puddle leak, maybe the diameter of a 12oz soda can. it seems like it hit the bottom left corner where the sideways drain plug is for the oil. it is leaking from there.

i tightened the bolt a little, hope that wasn't a mistake...

i cleaned it off to check for more oil drips. only found 1-3 drops an hour later.

does anyone know if it is still safe to ride around if it doesn't leak? being thanksgiving the local bike shop is closed so i'll try and call them on the weekend or next week before i ride my bike anywhere else.

93Horse · 11-22-2012, 08:13 PM

If you seriously believe that this pot hole / steel plate (?) caused damage to your oil pan / bike their would likely be visible damage. Inspect the entire underside.

Fourcats · 11-22-2012, 08:44 PM

Document exactly what, when & where this happened, with an estimate of the damages and get it in the mail {cetified} to Caltrans...

93Horse · 11-22-2012, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourcats

document exactly what, when & where this happened, with an estimate of the damages and get it in the mail {cetified} to caltrans...

a+ ......

Bprigge · 11-22-2012, 08:58 PM

I would get the brightest light I could find and inspect the bottom of the bike too, especially around where the outer and inner primary cases mate. A leak anywhere would flow to the low side when parked on it's side stand so you want to look at the whole underside for damage. Personally I would ride it as long as I new there was adequate oil in the primary and engine oil tank. I'm not say'n you should ride it, i'm say'n I would. Good thing you didn't end up on the ground!! Bruce

nvsteve · 11-23-2012, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fourcats

Document exactly what, when & where this happened, with an estimate of the damages and get it in the mail {cetified} to Caltrans...

Ditto and go back and take a pic.

Dave in Texas · 11-23-2012, 10:30 AM

I would not go toolin' around on it until it was looked at by an experienced Harley mechanic with a critical-eye. The highway dept is not going to do anything since this sort of thing would prolly be considered a road-hazzard and the bike being so close to the ground etc.
Get the bike repaired and count yourself lucky nothing worse happened to it or you. Good luck.

Fourcats · 11-23-2012, 03:40 PM

Try this...http://www.dot.ca.gov/damageclaims.htm

dusturbd · 11-23-2012, 03:42 PM

DOT may pay for damages just depends on where you live and the circumstances
My mother got paid over a 1k from the city of Orlando DOT for 2 rims on here car due to a pothole

RustyG · 11-23-2012, 07:16 PM

Get yourself a large mirror and place it under the bike as far as it will go. This, along with a good light source, should give you a good view of the undersides. I use a mirror than is 3 feet square. Bought it at Target for about $10.

sweeno · 03-13-2013, 03:42 PM

Good luck trying to take the oil pan off yourself. I had a very similar thing happen to me and took it off and had it welded and it sucks bad trying to get it off and back on.

rbearden56 · 03-13-2013, 09:16 PM

I wouldn't ride it until you had it looked at and repaired. You don't really know where the crack or fracture is and that fact you made it home is luck. The last thing you need is for the damage spread leading to a larger leak while you are on the road. Leaking oil and tires don't mix well at all.
Be smart, have it looked at, get a quote for the worse case scenario and file a claim with cal trans. That may take some time but get the leak fixed as soon as possible.

Remember if can go wrong, it will, at the worst possible time with the worst possible consequences.

93Horse · 03-13-2013, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastBayDyna510

So today i was riding my 2001 fxdl and hopped onto the freeway and there was a pot hole in the road. it was covered with what looks like a steel plate? i don't know what they use, but it had quite a lip on it. having a stock fxdl my bike is low as ****. I couldn't get over into the next lane to avoid it so i just accelerated while standing up slightly to try and glide over it. it totally wasn't enough and i hit it pretty hard. When i got home and parked my bike i forgot to check right away for a oil pan leak. an hour later there was a very small puddle leak, maybe the diameter of a 12oz soda can. it seems like it hit the bottom left corner where the sideways drain plug is for the oil. it is leaking from there.

i tightened the bolt a little, hope that wasn't a mistake...

i cleaned it off to check for more oil drips. only found 1-3 drops an hour later.

does anyone know if it is still safe to ride around if it doesn't leak? being thanksgiving the local bike shop is closed so i'll try and call them on the weekend or next week before i ride my bike anywhere else.

OK EastBayDyna510.... what's up?