Pasta Burner

Interesting. I like home made remedies. Oddly it’s not leaking anymore. Been in the center stand and I’m working on getting that carb seated. Time will tell, and time for another beer to get this thing figured out.

It was for sure over tightened as I could barely get a socket on it to begin with. Figuring I was going to replace the bolt anyway the cost of the adapter is a wash. My local Yamaha dealer selling the bolt for $65, adapter to my door $70 plus the filter being half the price I came out even. Bolt is maybe salvageable so I’ll keep it with the cover in case someday myself or another member needs it.

Thanks @cowpuc will give it a shot in the morning. Maybe loosening up the others will help it go in. So sad I bought this bike directly coming from a shop where it was specifically in for carb rebuild. Hard to trust anybody anymore.

I noticed that my front left carb isn’t seated in the lower boot and I can’t seem to find where to make the adjustment. I tried loosening the clamp and squeezing it in and tightening but that did nothing. I can also hear a clear air suction there.

Thanks all for the tips. Results posted here

Spin on adapter came in just a couple days and seems to be working perfectly with no leaks. To get the old bolt and cover off I bought an extractor set like @Midicat posted from Harbor freight https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-metric-bolt-extractor-socket-set-9-pc-67894.html the 12mm didn't grip but tapping the 11mm on it grabbed with the GI Joe Kung Fu Grip, used a 3/8 to 1/2 adapter and breaker bar and made short work of the whole process. I remember when I used one of those extractor sockets now, I know I used it on a lug nut on my Wrangler and I’d put money in I had rented it from my local auto store way back in the day. thanks all for the help.

Well the USPS did me well I ordered a spin on oil filter adapter for my 87 just on Sunday night and it already showed up.

Hmm interesting. I never knew Quaker State wasn’t desired. Cant say I’ve ever used it but always assumed it a reputable name brand. Gotta say sorry to @Idrys this thread has been hijacked a few times, but at least we’re back on the topic of oil.

It’s crazy how upended things are. Like I mentioned in another post I’ve had two valve cover gasket orders get cancelled because of warehouse delays or closures. One of my dads suppliers for vehicle electronics can’t get parts because the majority are made in China and they shut down production.

Thanks. I’ll look for that Reconditioner. Two things I’ve discovered with this leak is one I put new oil in on Sunday let her warm up a bit and then positioned her in the garage on the center stand in prep for the new fork springs (that I just keep not getting to!!! Arrggg). Monday morning there was only one little drip, by this afternoon only a tinsy bit more. So being upright vs the side stand my be a variable. Two as you mention the spot on top on the cover, I noticed Sunday evening the Front left carb boot is wet and that carb is not seated correctly in the lower boot, this could also explain the suction sound I’ve been hearing but chalked it up as normal as I’ve never heard another of these bikes to compare to. I’m thinking fuel leaking from that carb running down the engine collecting grease and grime along the way making it appear as an oil leak. Also when I went to clean my garage floor from where it had been dripping all winter it was gummy.

I’m focused on why the long bracing to the right, makes me think that was for added leverage. Does the thing with the ring and little inner hooks pivot side to side?

I’ve had my 87 VR for pretty much exactly a year and I love it. I bought it thinking I’d just test the waters of a big touring bike and came to find it’s a winner of a machine! Mine also happened to be in great condition. I can for sure agree with @saddlebum if you’ve got short legs this thing can be a bear. I’ve got a 30” inseam, and quick stops or even off camber intersections are not for the faint of heart. Hell even the drainage dip at the apron of my driveway leaves me dangling for a second or so hoping I don’t run out of gravity speed before I can touch again. Like @cimmer said check out the tech forum. The guys on here are life savers and if you enjoy wrenching you will find all the help one can get. Welcome to the beginning of the end; this bike is the last one you’ll need.

That’s actually great to know! That area is one I was focused in on looking for my phantom leak.

Ha that’s the exact issue I believe I’m having with my dishwasher. Used some dishwasher cleaner from Cascade which had it smelling and sparkling great but then the drain hose started clogging up.

Not too sure of USPS but I use FedEx for work and I can assure you I am beyond FedUp over the last two months especially. I generally ship overnight, it took over two weeks to get a package from Salt Lake to Denver. I shipped two day two packages from Salt Lake to Valley Forge it took over Three weeks and one showed up broken these were high dollar oscilloscope with proper packing and delicate instrument warning stickers. The only thing I seem to be able to trust is Custom Critical service.

Seafoam is more of a miracle than an additive.

Sounds like the right investment considering I’d be replacing it anyway. That bolt extractor kit looks wicked familiar to me but I can’t for the life or me place where I’ve used one. I didn’t find it in my Arsenal so maybe I borrowed one sometime. I have a kit for stripped screw heads but not hex.

Are you draining it when warm/hot? You’ll typically get more out if the engine isn’t cold. I did this change cold but the sight glass is fairly clean looking after warming it up a bit.

Didn’t see that one coming. Just a tip for others, if you leave the drain plug out overnight, apparently there’s a lot left in there.

Probably because I don’t want to mess with time and time again. The spin on adapter looks like a fine alternative. Anybody else have good luck?

The problem with vice grips or a pipe wrench is the fins on the cover. The bolt head is flush to below the plane of the fins. You can see on the right side I chewed some up not even knowing it till I saw the metal on the floor. I’m afraid if the cover is that soft I’ll break it.

Amazing the double edged sword. I’m getting new OEM gaskets. Covid had two orders of them cancelled on me over the past year because of warehouse and business shutdowns. Not sure what oil is in there, this is the first change of my ownership. After digging in there yesterday I think a good degreasing will go a long way first to then start seeing where the problem recurs.

Thanks all! These are great suggestions. And holy crap that bolt is at lease $50.!! I’m going to get a replacement bolt in hand before I go any further, that way I can still ride albeit with a dirty filter. For today I’m gonna move onto the progressive spring swap that was the goal of yesterday before getting derailed.

Just drained the old oil but if memory serves correct it was over 1/2 full last year. The PO only had it a week before selling because the CLASS was broke and he didn’t want to deal with it. He said he added some sea foam to the crank so overfilled makes sense.

I posted in the tech forum but may as well ask here too cause it’s relevant and not bike specific. The filter cover bolt is stripped and using vice grips I started to damage the cover fins. Any tips?