Oil on exhaust collector, what could be leaking ?

[Arxvz1200]

Hi,

Last night I noticed a small drips of oil under my bike. Tried to locate the leak this morning. It seems that something is leaking on to the exhaust collector and from there it makes way to the ground. The restoration has been a handfull. The bike is now running nicely and I thought I could move on reapiring the fairing but this new leak is a setback.

 

I also attach a picture of the bike. All couragement is welcome. It's the final stretch where money and motivation are runnig out. I've been able to ride couple of weeks now. The missing side fairings have little bits missing from inside. The front lower fairing is ok. Bu I've chose ride like this still because as it seems little things come up all the time.

 

So have you had such leak ? What is above the collector ?

I guess it's radiator and exhausts off to fix this one ?

Thank you very much in advance,

Anssi

 

 

[Yammer Dan]

Valve Cover? Stick your hand around the back of the jug (when its cold) and see if you if the valve cover is leaking down the back of the engine.

[Arxvz1200]

Thanks for quick reply. Good tip. Valve covers felt nice and dry when stick my hand there(engine cold).

But it let to think the chain tensioner. Maybe that could leak. It's pretty dirty back there, couldn't tell whether it was recently leaked.

 

So I'm going to ride the bike this evening so i'll check the chain tensioner. I'll get back.

 

Thanks,

Anssi

[CaseyJ955]

Check oil filter, esp if it is still a cartridge style. It could leak while riding and the wind may carry the oil back. Just a thought. Otherwise a good way to trace it would be to clean it up with maybe spray cleaner and dry with rags and compressed air, then without riding it allow it to idle warm and look for traces of the leak. A nice drop light and inspectie mirror should let you see everything. I hope you find it.

[camos]

Otherwise a good way to trace it would be to clean it up with maybe spray cleaner and dry with rags and compressed air, then without riding it allow it to idle warm and look for traces of the leak. A nice drop light and inspectie mirror should let you see everything. I hope you find it.

Spray talcum powder is your friend here.

[Arxvz1200]

The hunt continues. Cleaned the bike from under and tried to reproduce the leak while on centerstand. Didn't leak much at all. Good news the cooling system is quite effective. it took a long time for the temp to rise.

 

Thinking back maybe I should have had the bike on the side stand tilting left. That's the side where it leaks, still wasn't able to pinpoint.

I had some twobyfours under the middle stand to lift the bike little higher so I was able crawl under there while the bike was running. That was little scary. Didn't get burned.

 

I wonder could the middlegear cover leak onto the collector. That cover I have taken off numerous times when fighting with the clutch slave. So tommorw I'll seal the middle gear cover again and hopefully better.

 

 

If that doesn't fix then it's collectors off. I'll asked about that if needed.

[Flyinfool]

On the middle gear cover the very bottom bole goes thru into the oil sump, there is supposed to be a copper crush washer under the head of that bottom bolt to seal the oil. if you reused that washer a bunch of times and/or it is not there, that is a common leak.

 

Also on the front left engine cover where the 3 stator wires come out, they go thru a rubber grommet, that grommet is also a popular leak point.

[Venturous Randy]

Good suggestions so far. I have another one. There is an O ring on the gear indicator that tells you when you have the bike in neutral. It is behind the clutch slave cylinder. These are known to leak and do it on the exhaust collector.

Randy

[Arxvz1200]

Thank you very much for great advice.

Well it seems user error again.

Little progress. I was trying to trace back the steps I've done to this bike. A lot of small things, some forgotten.

While fighting with the clutch slave I had changed the middle gear cover bolts to shorter ones. Could have not thought that exact lenght is critical.

Originals were in bad shape.

 

I changed them again to match the original lengths, not sure whether I got it right. The leak onto collector is away! Still couple of drops on the left side but no smoke when I park.

Could it be that the bolts hold also something else than just the middle gear cover.

 

I still get 2 drops when I park. The bottom bolt has new copper seal and that seems to hold, so maybe stator wire thing...or something else.

 

maybe for now I live with this and move on cause there is still whole lot to work on eg. no high beam light, battery warning light etc.

 

Maybe the bolt lenghts are something to remember when leaks occur. I have a habit of replacing old and worn bolts while restoring.

Again great support from you, many thanks

 

[paysaw]

Have you checked the boot for the drive shaft?If your middle gear seal is gone, you will get a leak like that too. check the differential rubber covers too.Good luck with finding your leak.