No Oil

[BigLou]

So I rode my 82 GK to work today. When I got off the bike, I noticed my right boot and lower pants leg were soaked in oil. I have a 4 mile commute to work, and in that amount of time, I lost pretty much every drop of oil out the backside of the motor somewhere. Well, I know where it is now, it is all over everthing from the cylinders on back, frame, up along the side of the seat, on the passenger pegs, etc. Amazingly, the rear tire did NOT get coated.

Could a bad valve cover gasket lead to this or should I be looking for a hole in then back of the engine or some other idea?

Thanks in advance

Lou

[rustybronco]

Possibly one or more of the cam end seals (rubber, 1/2 moon shaped under the chrome end caps) popped out.
that will give you a soaker... clean 'er off, filler 'er up with you favorite oil and look.

[hampshirehog]

That's a serious leak. If you put some oil back in, clean off the motor and start it up you must be able to see where it comes from.

[BigLou]

yeah, that was my plan. and yeah the half moons came to mind as well. Thanks guys

[duaneage]

I had a valve cover gasket squirm out on me and I dropped 2 quarts in 20 miles. Bleeding like a shot deer all over the ground at red lights.

[Nessism]

If you put some oil back in, clean off the motor and start it up you must be able to see where it comes from.

It's hard to diagnosed something like an oil leak via the internet. Listen to HH and have a look see.

[BigLou]

well, on the bright side, it was almost time for an oil change anyway, now i dont have to work about take the oil to be recycled.

[Larry D]

Check the galley bolts too.

[BigLou]

just an update, got her home today, indeed the rear half moon on the right side was half way out. So a pretty easy fix.

[cyclefvr2]

just an update, got her home today, indeed the rear half moon on the right side was half way out. So a pretty easy fix.

kool, glad you got it fixed, i got oil on my right leg, 80 it starts runnin back on me, i dont like it getting on the rear brake pad either!!
be sure to check yours so you can stop better
i silliconed the cam cover bolts ,cause they were leaking there, the guy b4 me over tightned them guy was a mechanic 2 had race cars n stuff , maybe they were tightened when the motor was hot,and they stripped real easy

[TheCafeKid]

Id suggest not only using some high temp silicone, RTV or the like on the half moons, but also some teflon tape wrapped around JUST the round part of the seal. This will help keep it from leaking in the future. Also, I was recently enlightened to scrubbing the spots in the head where the half moons go with a scotchbrite pad. The small scrapes it leaves behind help lock the rubber in place after it gets hot and expands. Ive also recently been turned on to installing MY half moons BACKWARDS from the way the Manual shows... Not only does it make more sense to me, as the lip on them would be in the INSIDE, but, believe it or not, it seems to help quiet the chatter of cam walk on older 8v bikes..

[SqDancerLynn1]

Next time I do a valve adj I have these nifty little aluminum half moon plugs, will never come out without removing the cam cover