Engine Covers
About Engine Covers
Engine covers close the cam, timing, ignition, clutch and other openings in the engine cases, and on a V-twin they carry much of the visible chrome, black or polished finish. Riders buy them to replace a cracked or dented cover, to restyle the engine, or, on dirt bikes, to protect the case from rocks and falls.
Match the cover to the engine and to the side and opening it closes. Harley-Davidson covers are mostly listed by engine family, such as M8 or Twin Cam, and by year, because sensor mounts and bolt patterns change. Many covers need a new gasket or a bolt kit, so check what the listing includes. Finish is mostly a choice of look: chrome, black, anodized, stainless or contrast cut, and some covers carry a graphic. Off-road clutch cover protectors are made for a specific model, such as certain Husqvarna and KTM two-strokes, and fit over the original cover instead of replacing it.
Brands in this category include Colony, Covingtons, Jims, Ciro and Drag Specialties. For gaskets and seals, go to Gaskets, Seals & Kits; for the case itself, see Engine Crankcases; and for fasteners, Brackets & Hardware.
FAQs on motorcycle engine covers
Do I need a new gasket when I change an engine cover?
Usually, yes. A gasket that has been compressed once often leaks when it is reused. Some covers come with a gasket and some do not, so read the listing, and clean the mating surface before the cover goes back on.
Will an engine cover from one Harley-Davidson engine fit another?
Not necessarily. Twin Cam and M8 covers, for example, have different shapes and bolt positions, and covers can change between years. Match the engine family and year, or pick your bike in the Ride Finder at the top of the page.
How do I keep a chrome engine cover looking good?
Wash off road salt and dirt, dry the cover, and use a polish or sealant made for chrome. Avoid abrasive pads, which scratch the plating, and let the engine cool before washing. Regular cleaning matters most on bikes ridden in wet or salty conditions.
What does a clutch cover protector do on a dirt bike?
It is a guard fitted over the clutch cover to take hits from rocks and to reduce damage in a fall. It is made for a particular model, so check the year range and bike in the listing.
Are black anodized covers different from chrome ones?
Anodizing is a surface treatment of aluminum that makes the color part of the surface layer, while chrome is a plated coating. Both need gentle cleaning, and neither changes how the cover seals, so the choice is about appearance.
