Today was a nice day after work, so I took the bike out, cleaned as much sludge and crud and gunk off the bottom of the engine as I could, rinsed it, and dried it off.
Once completely dry, I took some gold bond powder, and bathed the entire engine with it, and took the bike around the block to get it nice and hot.
Here are some pictures as to what I found: (click pictures to enlarge)
(NOTE: I did NOT do any of the damage to this bike, the previous owner said he let it just "fall over" meh...)
(http://matt.host-it-here.org/oil%20leak/IMG_1311_thumb.jpg) (http://matt.host-it-here.org/oil%20leak/IMG_1311.JPG)
there is a small crack where this screw is. Oil is leaking out of this crack. Oil is also leaking along the gasket.
(http://matt.host-it-here.org/oil%20leak/IMG_1312_thumb.jpg) (http://matt.host-it-here.org/oil%20leak/IMG_1312.JPG)
same crack, better angle
(http://matt.host-it-here.org/oil%20leak/IMG_1313_thumb.jpg) (http://matt.host-it-here.org/oil%20leak/IMG_1313.JPG)
this is the bottom of the engine. oil is coming out from where this cable is coming. there is also a crack here, and it looks like oil is coming from the crack also.
(http://matt.host-it-here.org/oil%20leak/IMG_1314_thumb.jpg) (http://matt.host-it-here.org/oil%20leak/IMG_1314.JPG)
same place, better angle
So, what's it look like to you guys? It looks like I might need to replace that whole side clutch cover... ($83), gasket ($10), smaller round cover ($25), at the least... All these prices are from ron ayers. Do you guys know of any cheaper places? is there some kind of cheap alternative to kind of "weld" or seal the cracks?
What is that black cable coming out the bottom of the engine? The Tach cable? How do I fix that seal also?
There is no oil behind the small round cover, it doesn't have to be fixed, that's more of a cosmetic problem (though it wouldn't hurt to just do it at the same time if you want to get it done). The oil that's coming out of there is from the crankshaft seal. Wrecent_Wrider mentioned this before, not sure if that is considered to be a part of the crankcase cover or a separate part. (If it is a separate part, I believe it is 12 on this diagram (http://www.ronayers.com/fiche/300_0284/crankshaft/crankshaft.cfm?man=su&groupid=3170&parent=3070))
The wires are from the ignition advancer bits, behind the small round cover.
I usually check ronayers, bikebandit and maybe mrcycles for prices including shipping, then choose the cheapest.
Manofthefield has got it, the round cover is pretty much just a dust cover, you can take it off to see what's going on behind it, but that seal he mentions is pretty much the only place it could be coming from back there. Behind the round plate is the ignition rotor and pickup(s), and that's the cable coming out. You can put off replacing that round cover indefinitely, though I'd consider sealing it from the inside with epoxy or JB Weld or something, just to keep water out.
Looks like you'll need a clutch cover for sure. Call some dealers, maybe a "Cycle World" if you have one anywhere near, and get some prices. Cycle World had the best price on the gasket (which you'll need as well), better than Ron Ayers, and were the only ones that had it in stock. Remember that Ron Ayers charges a minimum of $8 for shipping (and this will be more), so it MIGHT be cheaper to let someone local order it for you.
If you have to order from Ron Ayers, use the coupon code "July407" before July 8th, and it should get you 5 percent off the order (as long as it doesn't contain tires). Better than nothing.
There's a recent thread on this here (http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=36306.msg405887#msg405887), and that has a link to a thread I started when I had the gasket problem.
Sorry to hear it's not trivial, but it could be a whole lot worse- the crack's high, so there's no reason to suspect it was ever run dry, and you won't have to tear down the engine like you would have to for, say, a base gasket. Since you'll be replacing the cover, you'll be spared the worst part of the job by far- removing the old gasket.
i tore mine off a couple of weeks ago, it cost about 100 bones for the part. www.alpha-sports.com
Quote from: frankieG on June 28, 2007, 07:45:34 PM
i tore mine off a couple of weeks ago, it cost about 100 bones for the part. www.alpha-sports.com
I assume you mean the side cover? Then please tell us about the crankshaft seal... did it come with the cover, did you buy a new one, or somehow re-use the old? How did you seat it?
TO be honest with you, judging by the pictures it appears the leak is at the crack in the side cover, then drains down to ingintiion cable. If I was mattress I would pull off the cover and let it run for a bit and see if it leaks from there at all, because based on the pictures, it may not be leaking from the crankshaft seal
Quote from: coll0412 on June 29, 2007, 08:55:31 AM
TO be honest with you, judging by the pictures it appears the leak is at the crack in the side cover, then drains down to ingintiion cable. If I was mattress I would pull off the cover and let it run for a bit and see if it leaks from there at all, because based on the pictures, it may not be leaking from the crankshaft seal
Yeah, but it's sort of a moot point, since the seal is pressed into the cover...
hummm, now I definately have oil running down that cable myself. Now there is a seal under that cover and that is what I am waiting to be replaced. Since I am a space cadet when it comes to this stuff, my mechanic is doing the work. I know I suck...anyway that is why I come to this site to learn..But a sure as hell, oil can get in there, shouldnt but does. I would change the cracnkcase cover because you dont want a crack in there anyway...but collO412 has a good idea about seeing if there is oil under there. :thumb: keep posting the results
Right.. not saying it can't leak, or isn't.. just pointing out that the seal in question is pressed into the cover... so, if you're replacing the cover, you'd normally be replacing the seal anyway.
I agree its a moot point :laugh:
ah got it. Just think how good it will look with the new cover and no leaks. :icon_lol: