oil leaks

[schlyme]

is it just my 1100e(81) that likes to leak oil, or do others have this issue to i was leaking out the valve cover. did valve adjust and changed the gasket so i cured that. now it leaking from the bottom somewhere. i did tighten half the oil pan bolt but need to pull the exhaust to get to the rest. i know there is a small leak on the front at the crankcase cylinder gasket, it may also be leaking from the left side cover(already checked the screws, they tight). i think as soon as i get another bike i'm just gonna do a full teardown to replace all the gaskets and seals then i can black out the engine

[schlyme]

option b would be to have someone do the overhaul for me. if anyone here does engine work in the socal area, i may be interested some time in the near future.

[posplayr]

Rapid Ray is in Orange near Disneyland.

I have found leaks can come from various sources including:

• Engine cover mating surfaces get "crowned" from the aluminum surfaces being scraped by PO's removing old gaskets. I carefully use a flat file to restore flatness (valve cover, clutch cover, pan cover, stator cover).
• Case bolts will start to leak, Pull them apply (FormaGasket) Ultra Black and retorque
• DO NOT USE A COMETIC MLS GASKET.
• Change The O-ring on the starter.
• This is a PITA, but change the ignition side crank seal.
• Make sure your breather mesh is on the correct (right side for 82/83 EZ/ED/ESD)
• Make sure the breather is not blocked.
• Use Dowtey Seals where you can(including some 6mm bolts onclutch cover and valve cover).

I'm getting close

[chuckycheese]

Tach

Also, check to see if it's leaking from the tach cable attachment. It's not uncommon. If so, there's a little, round rubber gasket that you can replace quite easily!

[schlyme]

thanks for the info, i'll be checking the old girl out when i can. till then i better stock up on oil

[Danjal]

My 85 GS550ES likes to pee on driveways and garage floors too. Ive looked for that leak all over and still cant find it. All I can assume is it starts at higher rpm's under load. I ony get about 2 drops of leakage when I park it for the night. All the oil is off the right hand side and it seems to roam around. Its some sort of gremlin thats messing with me I know.

[Pete Logan]

Its some sort of gremlin thats messing with me I know.

No ride bells, huh