Oil leak on GS750. Concern or no?

[Guest]

I am just about ready to buy a very clean '82 GS750 and it seems to have oil seepage in the area in the attached photo. The seller says it is typical seepage from the front of the timing chain housing and nothing to worry about. It does appear to be just seepage and not dripping. Your thoughts on this? Should I steer clear? Other than this, the bike is in great shape with 14,500 miles.

[jprice90]

that there actually looks like the Tach drive leaking.
I have the same thing goinng on, and yes its a concern unless you like sitting at a redlight watching smoke come from the front of the bike and smelling burnt oil.
it'll only get worse, and make a mess, I have somewhat of a mess now..

http://bwringer.com/gs/tachcableseals.html

[tkent02]

That stuff is super easy to fix, tach drive or cam chain tensioner, could be a couple other very easy fixes, or worse case it could need a new head gasket. Still fairly easy and not too expensive to fix. The only way to tell where it's leaking from is to clean it all up and see where it leaks first. Hot oil mist will swirl around everywhere in there, from looking at it all we can do is guess. All in all no big deal either way, if it's otherwise a nice example of what you want, and if you are happy with the price, grab it up.

Of greater concern is the owner spouting BS about typical leaky timing chain housings, he obviously knows nothing about the engine, or worse he thinks you're ignorant abut it too and wants to take advantage of that.... Treat everything else he says with a grain if salt too, it's probably all BS.

[dezlpwr]

Thanks guys. I'll spray a bunch of Brake Kleen around there and get all the oil cleaned up and go from there if/when I buy it.

[dezlpwr]

The bike... 👍

[dezlpwr]

I guess it could also be the valve cover gasket??

[tkent02]

Sure, could be anything. Except the timing chain housing.

[Jhoot]

Just made a new post about a similar concern, curious to hear what you find out if you end up picking the bike up, good luck!

[chuck hahn]

Take the top end off with the engine in the frame and redo all the gaskets. Just a days work and shell be like new and youll have a great reliable bike.

[letchworth rider]

Cured this leak on 81 GS750E with a new SUZUKI head gasket. Has a sealer in this area, aftermarket gasket did not.

[mrbill5491]

Mine was the valve cover gasket, got pinched just enough for it to seep some. I've had the tach housing seep some as well, new oring and seal, No problem.