Does one NEED to fix oil leaks?

[sam000lee]

Is an oil leak something that could damage the engine? I know this could depend on where it is - I have a leak coming from the left side of the engine somewhere near or under the clutch cover (it's not the stator cover I replaced that one recently). It leaks more than a couple drops every time I ride it (see picture), but I check the oil every day (sometimes twice a day if I'm doing more than a scenic route around town) and top it up if it gets low, which happens far less often than I would think considering the leak.
I don't really care about the asthetic cleanliness of the bike, its not "spraying" onto any of my clothing and quite honestly I think a little bit of an oil leak adds a bit of character and charm to the whole thing.

I know that I "should" track down and fix this but do I NEED to?

[FLHGSRay]

Fix it. I know that doesn't answer the question, but human nature dictates that if you let this go, you're likely to let other things go. So yes, you NEED to fix it.

[Allie]

If it were me I'd try to track it down since it's leaking enough to drip on the ground. That's a little 'too' much character for me.

[eil]

Agree with Allie.

Some people freak out when they see some seepage forming around a gasket, I myself just see an old motorcycle... erm... expressing itself.

But a leak big enough to drop oil on the ground whenever the bike is parked is a problem. It's probably leaking more when it's going down the road. And given the location, there's a fair chance that it could also lubricate the rear tire if it gets any bigger.

I just fixed a smaller leak than this on my 750. Had to replace a crankshaft oil seal. It was far less work than I thought it was going to be at first. Willing to bet yours is an equally straightforward fix.

[Steve]

I have a leak coming from the left side of the engine somewhere near or under the clutch cover ...

It's time to learn about your bike.

If it's leaking on the left side, it's NOT leaking under the clutch cover. The clutch is on the RIGHT side of the bike.


I don't remember who it is, but somebody here has this for a signature line:
"That's not oil, that's sweat from all the horsepower."
Somehow, I'm not sure that would apply to a 450.

.

[1980GS1000E]

I just saw it's a 450. He should man up and get a bigger bike, nevermind the leak.

[Scout]

I just saw it's a 450. He should man up and get a bigger bike, nevermind the leak.

That's an insulting comment. So he is not a man if he rides a 450cc bike? What does getting a larger displacement motorcycle have to do with fixing his leak?

[FLHGSRay]

That's an insulting comment. So he is not a man if he rides a 450cc bike? What does getting a larger displacement motorcycle have to do with fixing his leak?

Agreed. That comment was insulting. Everyone doesn't need or even want, a bigger bike.

[Allie]

I just saw it's a 450. He should man up and get a bigger bike, nevermind the leak.

Better yet you could 'man up' and nevermind the size of his bike since you're not the one riding it.

[1980GS1000E]

OK, no insult intended. Just that, like the other posters, my view is to repair the oil leak and it is pretty absurd to consider not doing it.

[sam000lee]

I just saw it's a 450. He should man up and get a bigger bike, nevermind the leak.

Besides what everybody else said, who said I was a man? I often see comments about "manning up" on here that I find quite insulting.

As for the leak. I'm going after it seeing that its leaving little oil drop stains on the driveway despite my cardboard "docking station".

[sam000lee]

It's time to learn about your bike.

If it's leaking on the left side, it's NOT leaking under the clutch cover. The clutch is on the RIGHT side of the bike.

I meant the cover that the clutch pushrod is under. There's no gasket there, though - could the bit where the pushrod goes in be leaking?

[Allie]

Besides what everybody else said, who said I was a man? I often see comments about "manning up" on here that I find quite insulting.

As for the leak. I'm going after it seeing that its leaving little oil drop stains on the driveway despite my cardboard "docking station".

They don't realize that if they really need to get down to brass tacks they need to 'woman up'.

The infamous cardboard docking station. I've been known to use them in the past. They never seem to work as well as one would expect.

[Scout]

If you get some oil accumulation on the engine block, valve cover, ect but it doesn't actually get to the ground you can live with it but when your bike starts "marking it's territory" like your is doing it needs attention. You seem to have a good little leak going there.

[Octain]

Leaks of any kind from a vehicle is annoying. I'm not too fond of annoying things.
But to answer your question, as long as you don't let it leak dry it wont damage the engine. Could be a bit dangerous though, if it gets on the rear tire.