Under tightened engine case bolts

[mddaddy]

While doing belts, hoses, etc, I decided to see if I could find the cause of oil slowly leaking under my '98. Been this way for years. Tried shifter seal, it is dry as a bone.
I decided to try tightened the 10mm bolts under the engine (case bolts) and found one loose compared to the others.  I broke out the torque wrench and attempted to torque them to 25 ft/lbs, but they took several 1/4 turns. I figured I'd better check my torque wrench calibration, but in the meantime...loose case bolts after only 18,500 miles and in 25 years, unnoticed?
I this a common issue?

[The emperor has no clothes]

Not that I’ve seen.

[da prez]

  To torque a bolt , It takes at least 10% to move it. Example -  progressive torque headed to 100. If you stop at 90 , a torque to 100 will not properly happen. It will register the 100 and not move the bolt. Stop at 85 and then torque to 100.  To properly torque , loosen the bolt or nut and re-torque.

                                            da prez

[Bagger John - #3785]

The crankcase halves are joined by sealant.

I've never seen this area develop a leak on a Valkyrie though I have witnessed it occurring on some very high mileage 1100/1200 'Wings.

[gordonv]

What about cleaning the engine, and then wait to see where the oil is coming from.

Very unusual to have an oil leak other than the shifter seal that I've ever heard of.

We are talking oil on the ground, wet, not an oil/coffee staining on the top of the engine block, or oil tainted water from the exhaust pipe?

[steveB (VRCC UK)]

If you are talking about the lowest bolts along the block joint those are M6 not M10. Torqued to 7 ft/lb