Oil leak after bike fell on the side

[GSinUS]

Everyone's nightmare just happened to me.  My bike was pushed over on its right side by a parked car.  Don't know why people think it's a good idea to backup until they bump into something instead of just checking the rearview mirror  

Anyway, the good part is that apart from minor scratches there is no apparent damage.  I do notice, however, fuel (I think that's gas and not oil) dripping from one of the three hoses that come out next to the crank case on the right side.

To be more precise, the three hoses have unconnected ends.  Two of them are open, and one is "plugged."  It is this plugged hose that drips gas.  I *think* this is the fuel overflow hose, and one of the others is an airbox drain hose.  If you know what I am talking about, could you please give me the appropriate names ?

Do you think it is possible that because the bike was on its side for some time, fuel started draining through the fuel overflow hose (if in fact that's what it is), and the leak would go away on its own?  Do you have any idea what could be causing this leak?  Again, the leak is from the tip of the "plugged" hose.

Thanks a bunch!

[Blueknyt]

Fuel probly leaked into airbox and thined out the little bit of oil residue in bottom and its draining now, shouldnt be an issue

[Kerry]

Yep, that's the airbox drain hose.

The diagram on my Fuel Hose Routing page might help you to visualize what Blueknyt is talking about.

With the bike lying on its side, imagine the fuel coming "up" from the float bowls to the main carburetor bodies and then flowing laterally into the airbox.  When you set the bike upright again, the fuel will run down to the "reservoir" at the bottom of the airbox, and then out through the Airbox Drain Hose.

[GSinUS]

That's great.  Thank you very much

[weaselnoze]

i noticed gas dripping out of the airbox hose at a consistant rate.  i checked the petcock and it was set to prime.   im guessing this is why.  it has been set to prime for a few weeks now since i ran out of gas last (forgot to switch it back).  how come it never leaked before?

[juggernaught]

In NYC we refer to that type of cager parking as "parking in Braille".  Do yourself a favor...if you park a lot in metro areas:

1) get frame sliders.
2) park near hydrants or driveways in front of cars rather than behind them.
3) never park behind a truck or suv if you can help it...often they don't even see a bike.
4) this may seem a bit silly but occasionally if i do park behind someone i leave a note under the wiper just saying "bike behind ya...thanx in advance"

these simple points can save you a bit of heartache.  It amazes me how a bike can sustain so much road punishment yet when tipped on the side...something always seems to come loose.

[callmelenny]

i noticed gas dripping out of the airbox hose at a consistant rate.  i checked the petcock and it was set to prime.   im guessing this is why.  it has been set to prime for a few weeks now since i ran out of gas last (forgot to switch it back).  how come it never leaked before?

Probably had a float stuck which was causing fuel to flow. I'm no expert but my understanding is that if everything is in the carb is working properly then putting on PRI should not cause any leaking. However, it doesn't take much to stick a float sometimes. A gentle tap on the bowl will sometimes free it up.

[weaselnoze]

switched back to on and it stopped leaking.  took awhile to start (flooded?) then ran fine.  hopefully that unstuck the float.  thanks!