Some sort of "lubricant" on Street Glide's gas tank

[×צ.LadyJoker.¦××]

Yesterday we went up the Pacific Coast Highway north of LA and half way through, we stopped to take some pics. We noticed a fluid on my wife's 2010 Street Glide. It has 1,700 miles on it and the 1K service was done on time about 3 weeks ago.

It looked like it was coming from the fork and we sort of freaked out thinking it was the fluid in the forks. We called our HD dealer and spoke to someone in service. After a few questions, they assured us nothing was wrong. The fluid was light brown, not blood red like the fluid in the fork, and it wasn't oil as it was cool and not anywhere on the motor. They said it was just lubricant and normal, though sometimes a hassle. It was only on the left. Not a drop to the right of the frame.

About 30 miles later we stopped for gas and wiped the bike down as good as possible, including up under the fairing. It was like wiping up graphite - I guess the lubricant had mixed with dirt.

We rode another 200 miles after that and only a small portion continued after that, so it appears that whatever it was, it leaked a bit or got in the air stream, blew all over the gas tank and then that was it.

Anyone know what it is, and why the dealer thinks this is normal or at least not uncommon?

 

[AnnonO]

Could be grease from the steering neck.
Take a look at the bottom tripple tree and see if there is grease all over it.

 

[steph j]

+1 on the fork bearings, They grease them at the 1K service, and it makes a mess in warm weather. I clean the area using My fingers. Nasty job.

 

[Rothchilds]

I had the same on my Ultra. If they load the neck bearings up with grease it runs down the left fork when it gets hot. Like the other guy said,clean the excess off the triple tree and problem solved. Nothing to worry about.

 

[S h [A] h X e B]

My first guess is the same as the other posters, Neck Bearing Grease. I use High Temp synthetic to keep it from running.

 

[Gooofer]

Thanks all. we'll give it a really good wipedown under the fairing.

 

[Sha!]

Yea, they probably over greased it.

 

[[[bubbles]]<3Aaron]

Mine did the same thing. I only saw the grease on the left side of the tank near the front. I cleaned off the neck bearing grease as best I could and I never had an issue again.

 

[lastworkerbee]

+ on the grease. Look at the bottom of the neck. Wind does the rest.

 

[Jango]

I have the same problem. Tiny droplets that get on the tank, front of the horn cover, and even now splatter onto the saddle bags. 1K service just done, and went back to ask. The dealer says this is happening all the time now. They say they are using the grease that Harley recommends. I asked in work here about the grease breaking down, and we have a feeling it is a low temp grease because of the color.