Let's play "Figure out why my bike is leaking oil"

[pete]

If you even mildly suspect your fuel tap is dodgy, check the oil, you don't want fuel diluted oil lubricating your engine...

[Mike]

How would I check the fuel tap? And what would make it suspect?

[pete]

Essentially you need to make sure it's not leaking fuel when it should be shut off.

They're vacuum operated with no off position, so whilever the engine's not running there should be no fuel flow. Easiest way I can think would be to take the fuel line off your carbs and leave it sitting in a little (fuel safe) container for a while, maybe over night.

What makes them suspect typically is unexpectedly high oil levels, oil smelling of fuel, and seeming to go through more fuel than normal.

As to checking the oil level, have you actually done that? Just to be sure it's not way over fulll?

[Mike]

Essentially you need to make sure it's not leaking fuel when it should be shut off.

They're vacuum operated with no off position, so whilever the engine's not running there should be no fuel flow. Easiest way I can think would be to take the fuel line off your carbs and leave it sitting in a little (fuel safe) container for a while, maybe over night.

What makes them suspect typically is unexpectedly high oil levels, oil smelling of fuel, and seeming to go through more fuel than normal.

As to checking the oil level, have you actually done that? Just to be sure it's not way over fulll?

Whew. My tank has been sitting on the garage floor for a couple days now with no leaking, so I assume it's fine.

I called the guy at Cycle Recycle and he also said that it's most likely just got too much oil, so I'm going to change the oil tonight (it needs it anyways) and make sure it's got the right amount.

Chances are pretty good that it's got too much oil. Last I checked it, it seemed a bit low, so I added some. Might have just not got a good reading.

[pete]

Cool, fingers crossed.

Don't forget when you check it, don't screw the dipstick in, just rest it on top of the threads to get the reading.

[Mike]

Took it out for a quick run last night, only about 15 minutes, but I didn't see any oil underneath this morning. Woot!!

Now once the air filter gets in on Friday, it should be back to normal

[pete]

Excellent stuff!