Oil leak from the head

[azr]

79 850. So last week I noticed some oil seeping from behind the #2 exhaust pipe. Cleaned it and now there's fresh oil there and I'm sure it's from the head gasket. It's not pouring out but there is fresh oil there. I'm going to pull the front wheel off to have a clear look but I'm supposed to be going on the NW rally on the 8th. I've never had to deal with a leaking head gasket before, my question is do you think it would be alright to do the trip and repair it after wards? I'm trying to think of what could go wrong or would it be alright, just have to keep an eye on the oil levels. Arrrrrrrr.........

[blowerbike]

oil level and oily boots/cloths.
people ride these bikes with oil dripping everywhere.
your call.

[OldVet66]

Is this the '78 or '79?

[azr]

Man, always forgetting to id the bike.it's the 79 850, thanks.

[OldVet66]

I know on my GS1000E, the '78 motor seeped oil between #2 and #3. The '79 GS1000E motor has a tab on the head and cylinder jugs in that spot that bolts together, and it doesn't leak (it's on my '78 now). If they didn't do that on the '79 850, it is most likely it will seep at that spot like the '78 1000. If they did put the tabs there and it still leaks, I wouldn't worry about it unless you loose a significant amount of oil. It was more of an irritation than anything else on the '78 motor, keeping it dirty looking.

[SqDancerLynn1]

have you checked the cam cover, tach drive