Where is this oil coming from?

[GSinTN]

https://imgur.com/a/nqcJhWe

Okay so in the picture, there is a small amount of oil inside that bottom circle. What part is the big circle? There is no oil on the top of that part, so i assume it has to be leaking out of that part, not above it.

Also, im noticing a few small.ptoblems with my 07 gs500f.
1. Sometimes when i pull in the clutch and change gears, when i press on the shifter i can hear a bunch of rapid tapping, kinda like hitting on teeth of gears , and rather than force it, i wait until i slow down or come to a stop to change gears. Im wondering if my clutch isnt engaging properly or something.

2. When im riding, i can hear a whirring sound coming from the engine. It isnt knocking per se, but its hard to describe the sound. Almost like slight scraping of metal. The sound disappears when i engage the clutch.

As of now the bike runs great, just want to know what i need to check out so i dont screw up anything worse. I did.all the simple maintenance but i have not opened up the engine or gearbox. Could this be valve clearance issues?

[The Buddha]

Oil leak is from cam chain tensioner.

I am not sure about your shifting noises, but you need to slam the shifter, not tentatively pu$$y foot it.
Past the first gear and rolling, Clutch in slam the shifter and clutch out in - they say to preload the shifter etc etc, but this shift takes a fraction of a second, so I dont know how they preload the shifter.
Even first gear, the lever needs to be quickly and decisively slammed. You seem to be taking your time with it. Dont.

Cool.
Buddha.

[Meukowi]

yup, chain tensioner it is. What oil are you using? i've noticed there's big differences how the clutch behaves with different oils brands, idk what brands is available for you but when i changed to castrol power 1 gps from a cheaper brand, same viscosity i noticed much more smoother shifts

[GSinTN]

Oil leak is from cam chain tensioner.

I am not sure about your shifting noises, but you need to slam the shifter, not tentatively pu$$y foot it.
Past the first gear and rolling, Clutch in slam the shifter and clutch out in - they say to preload the shifter etc etc, but this shift takes a fraction of a second, so I dont know how they preload the shifter.
Even first gear, the lever needs to be quickly and decisively slammed. You seem to be taking your time with it. Dont.

Cool.
Buddha.

10-4. Ill give that a shot. Didnt want to f%$k anything up by slamming it, but ill be more aggressive.

[GSinTN]

yup, chain tensioner it is. What oil are you using? i've noticed there's big differences how the clutch behaves with different oils brands, idk what brands is available for you but when i changed to castrol power 1 gps from a cheaper brand, same viscosity i noticed much more smoother shifts

I need to change the oil because it was just changed before i bought it so i have zero idea whats in it

[Bluesmudge]

I disagree that you have to slam the shifter. I can pu$$y foot all I want and my GS500 shifts smoothly with a gentle touch.

Do you have the correct free play on your clutch cable? I would start with a 3 point clutch adjustment to be sure the clutch is engaging how it should. Then an oil change...the wrong oil or high mileage oil can make shifting weird/difficult on the GS500.

That will probably fix your issues, but if it isn't you could open up the clutch and measure the clutch plates and springs with a caliper. Plates are usually fine but could be springs are too short. The length spec is in the repair manual. Knowing the clutch is in good shape can be good peace of mind and all it costs you is a gasket for the cover.


The best time to replace the cam chain tensioner gasket is the next time you do a valve clearance check since you will have to do 90% of the work just to check the valves. Make sure you fully understand the procedure and how the timing of the engine is set before you take the cam chain tensioner out. Also make sure its leaking at the gasket and not the tensioner itself (clean the area and then dust with baby powder to find the true source of the leak). It would be a shame to go through all the trouble of replacing the cam chain tensioner gasket and then find out its leaking from the actual tensioner. I can't remember if the GS500 tensioner is rebuildable if it is leaking. Anyone know? Or do you just replace the whole thing. In the parts fiche there is a plug that is no longer available and a $3 gasket.

[The Buddha]

I ignore the CCT leaks. You can repair it sort of, but that's for the spring, not the leaking. Put a gasken on, put a new plug on it if you can but ignore, its a non pressure leak.
Cool.
Buddha.