Overflow Hose Drip

[lshafer]

Good afternoon everyone.

 

Went for a little ride today and noticed my kickstand had a bit of oil on it when I stopped. For whatever reason, when I first seen it I didn't think much of it. (Not sure why it didn't register right away.) Anyway, when I came back to the bike there was a couple of drips under the overflow hoses pictured here. It seems the leak was coming from the second hose from the left. I checked my oil and it seemed to be OK. I had the same issue happen last summer - only one time. It was fine after that. This is the first time this year it's happened. There's been no oil change done recently, however it's just about due. The only time it happened last year it was about 1000 miles into the most recent oil change. Then nothing for a long time. Now again. I guess I don't understand what's causing it. Also, can anyone tell me what each of those hoses is the overflow for. I'm assuming gas, oil, antifreeze, and ???. I'm not sure which is which - other than that second one, based on the oil coming from it.

 

Any assistance would be great.

[bkuhr]

Not familiar with RSTD, but those tubes look like fuel overflow from each carb to me. Would VENTURE a guess you have/had a stuck float. If not pouring fuel probably ok, but would run some seafoam and run hard to clean out jets/needles. Then wipe clean and watch for additional leaks. Just my opinion.

[hunter 1500]

Good afternoon everyone.

 

Went for a little ride today and noticed my kickstand had a bit of oil on it when I stopped. For whatever reason, when I first seen it I didn't think much of it. (Not sure why it didn't register right away.) Anyway, when I came back to the bike there was a couple of drips under the overflow hoses pictured here. It seems the leak was coming from the second hose from the left. I checked my oil and it seemed to be OK. I had the same issue happen last summer - only one time. It was fine after that. This is the first time this year it's happened. There's been no oil change done recently, however it's just about due. The only time it happened last year it was about 1000 miles into the most recent oil change. Then nothing for a long time. Now again. I guess I don't understand what's causing it. Also, can anyone tell me what each of those hoses is the overflow for. I'm assuming gas, oil, antifreeze, and ???. I'm not sure which is which - other than that second one, based on the oil coming from it.

 

Any assistance would be great.

i have the same thing. I'm thinking it might be a breather tube but I don't know. It has done it for a while but not much coming out of there so I don't worry too much.

[Dave77459]

I have had drips for two different reasons. The first is when I followed the instructions in the service manual and put in the spec'd amount of oil. When you do that, your engine is overfilled. Simply, they quote the amounts based on clean, new engines without oil in it. You can't get it as dry as they say. When overfull, the excess oil blows out and causes a drip. If you remove your tank, you'll see it oily on top.

 

The correct procedure is to add a half quart too little, run the engine for a few minutes to warm it and then let it sit for a few minutes and check in the site glass. If it is in the center of the glass, don't add more. If not, add a little more and repeat. If you fill to the top of the site glass, you are over full, and you can expect drips.

 

The second drip happens to me all the time when riding with groups. I vented the fuel tank filler neck to be able to add more gas until the tank is full. At that point, I need to ride 10+ miles to get the level down. But what happens is the group is slow and the bike sits in the sun for 10 minutes, warming the cold gas. It expands, and drips down to leave a spreading puddle. No big deal, unless you own the gas station and don't want gas stains on your pavement.

 

If you recently topped off the oil to the top of the site glass, I wouldn't worry. If you had just filled your gas tank and let it sit, I wouldn't worry.

 

Dave

[lshafer]

Well, in my case then I guess the engine is overfull on oil. When I stand the bike up the oil covers the entire sight glass. I can't see a line until I lower the bike onthe side stand. I've been going with what they say in the book for the amount of oil I add. I never took the residual oil into consideration.

 

Just so I'm sure on this - the recommended quntity of oil is enough to put a line through the center of the sight glass when the bike is standing level, correct?

[Marcarl]

Well, in my case then I guess the engine is overfull on oil. When I stand the bike up the oil covers the entire sight glass. I can't see a line until I lower the bike onthe side stand. I've been going with what they say in the book for the amount of oil I add. I never took the residual oil into consideration.

 

Just so I'm sure on this - the recommended quntity of oil is enough to put a line through the center of the sight glass when the bike is standing level, correct?

Half way up the glass, with the bike sitting straight up, is the correct answer.

[The Marshal]

Yep. Middle of glass, standing level.

Been there, overfilled that, cleaned up the drip and kickstand.

It stops when the oil level is correct, so no worries.

 

Just BE CAREFUL trying to get the bike level, and check the oil. Darn near kilt myself putting a chock under the kickstand and the bike started to tip over. Best to use two people, or a mirror on an extendable handle.

 

~Bill

[lshafer]

All that being said, I guess I know what my problem is. I'll be changing the oil next weekend so that should take care of it. I'll make sure it's spot on from here on out.

 

Thanks for the input.

 

BTW - Great idea about the mirror with extendable handle. It's kind of nerve-racking checking it by myself!!

 

Thanks again.

[Dave77459]

BTW - Great idea about the mirror with extendable handle. It's kind of nerve-racking checking it by myself!!

We were talking about the mirror this weekend, and someone mentioned a member who has a mirror permanently mounted to a pole in his garage, IIRC. Makes it easy to check your oil as a habit. When you go past, check your oil. I might mount a mirror to an LED area light, so I can get illumination while I look. I always need a flashlight.

 

Dave

[RedRider]

We were talking about the mirror this weekend, and someone mentioned a member who has a mirror permanently mounted to a pole in his garage, IIRC. Makes it easy to check your oil as a habit. When you go past, check your oil. I might mount a mirror to an LED area light, so I can get illumination while I look. I always need a flashlight.

 

Dave

 

What a great idea!! Something else to add into the shop in all my free time.

 

RR

[Yammer Dan]

Recommended amount of oil is too much!!

I think somebody said that.