hey guys  so im new to the gs500 but not bikes  alwasy have been on liquid cooled litre bikes so this is a little new to me and im needing some help.   i have an oil leak looks like the front part of the right side by the case.   and i think i may have some oil dripping on the fron part of the pipes when im at stops lights becasue i can see a little smoke come up into my headlight n can smell it burning.  please help with what you think might be wrong.   

IMO, you should clean off the engine really good with a good degreaser and them be certain of where it is leaking. Then replace the gasket as needed

http://www.cheapcycleparts.com/

Oil off of the front can come from the front or back of the engine. There is a passage between the cylinders at the top of the crank case to allow water from behind to drain.

Given that, the common source of oil on the back is the cam chain tensioner.

Clean the engine spotless.
Dry it and let it air dry. DO NOT RUN IT YET!
Dust the engine with baby powder.
Run it. Look for traces of oil in the powder.
If none, go ride a little and check again.

Once you see where it is coming from, you'll be able to fix it. First is identifying the source.

Left side might be the clutch push rod. Remove sprocket cover.
Clean it out spotless.
Again, let dry and baby powder.
If it happens only when on the side, then put bike on side stand and look.
Possible it happens all the time but drains from under the cover when on the side stand.
So put cover back on. Run bike and/or ride then remove cover and look again.

Quote from: adidasguy on March 13, 2013, 02:55:12 PM
Oil off of the front can come from the front or back of the engine. There is a passage between the cylinders at the top of the crank case to allow water from behind to drain.

Given that, the common source of oil on the back is the cam chain tensioner.

Clean the engine spotless.
Dry it and let it air dry. DO NOT RUN IT YET!
Dust the engine with baby powder.
Run it. Look for traces of oil in the powder.
If none, go ride a little and check again.

Once you see where it is coming from, you'll be able to fix it. First is identifying the source.

Left side might be the clutch push rod. Remove sprocket cover.
Clean it out spotless.
Again, let dry and baby powder.
If it happens only when on the side, then put bike on side stand and look.
Possible it happens all the time but drains from under the cover when on the side stand.
So put cover back on. Run bike and/or ride then remove cover and look again.

yeppers, this is sage advice here. btw baby powder from hte local dollar store will work fine. ( btw gasket jobs are fairly easy. and our beloved gs is easy to work on.)

BTW adidas, over 300 karma now 

ok so i think i have found the trace of the oil leak... didnt have any baby powder handy lol.  i beleive that it is coming from the bottom of the right side case.  ill be replacing all right side seals this weekend in hopes that fixes it

Quote from: gsnewbie17 on March 13, 2013, 07:15:20 PM
ok so i think i have found the trace of the oil leak... didnt have any baby powder handy lol.  i beleive that it is coming from the bottom of the right side case.  ill be replacing all right side seals this weekend in hopes that fixes it

That's just it.... We all BELIEVE we found the leak. Baby powder can confirm you are correct or wrong. Cam chain tensioner can leak from the back, run down between cylinders and drip off the front. Hard one to locate. Baby powder to the rescue!

Quote from: adidasguy on March 13, 2013, 08:05:29 PM

Quote from: gsnewbie17 on March 13, 2013, 07:15:20 PM
ok so i think i have found the trace of the oil leak... didnt have any baby powder handy lol.  i beleive that it is coming from the bottom of the right side case.  ill be replacing all right side seals this weekend in hopes that fixes it

That's just it.... We all BELIEVE we found the leak. Baby powder can confirm you are correct or wrong. Cam chain tensioner can leak from the back, run down between cylinders and drip off the front. Hard one to locate. Baby powder to the rescue!

yup. seriously. no sense in buying parts if theyre not required