Water Drain

[mcycle-nut]

I get a buildup up water on top of the tranny underneath the carbs when I wash the bike that takes forever to drain. I seem to have forgotten where the drain is. Does it go into the starter housing and drain from there? Will I be able to unplug it without removing the carbs or starter? '82 GS1100E

[Rob S.]

I'm not aware of any drain (same bike, but I never take a hose to mine).

[Rich82GS750TZ]

I just make sure I sop up any water in that area after a wash or getting caught in the rain.

[Baatfam]

Oh yes, the "mystery hole"

LOL, the Mystery Hole strikes again!

Oil from the cam chain tensioner can also dump oil into this cavity and out the drain hole.

Do NOT plug the Mystery Hole, or the first time you ride in the rain you'll marinate your starter in a greasy soup of dirty water. Doesn't do it much good.

An example Mystery Hole from the top -- the blue tubing shows the inlet:


... and here's the outlet:

From this thread: Unknown hole in block 1979 gs850g

[bwringer]

Thanks for digging that up, Bob!

And yes, the 1100E has pretty much the same system for draining water from this area; there's a slot on the inside wall of the starter cavity where the starter and alternator wires enter and exit, and a hole under the starter leading into a sort of "empty room" in the castings, and then a hole that drains to the outside. Water needs to be able to flow freely.

It's not unknown for folks to mistakenly try to seal these up. I recall a gent years ago who proudly plugged his bike's Mystery Hole with JB Weld, and some have found globs of foam and/or RTV sealing up the wire slot.

It's also not uncommon for these to get clogged on bikes that have spent a few years outside. Pine needles, leaves, dirt, etc. can build up and block the system.

I think you can remove the starter without removing the carbs on the 1100E, but don't quote me on that (I know it's not too hard on the shafties). I'd pull the starter out and have a look.

[mcycle-nut]

Thank you guys!

[argonsagas]

If you wanna try a mad science idea, how about a 3/8 flexible copper pipe fastened on top of the engine.
Run it down and under, then fasten a small metal funnel with holes punched in its sides to the end of the tube..
The airflow going past the holes could induce a small amount of vacuum and suck away all the water.

[rphillips]

You got any diagram of that ?

[Cipher]

Has anyone mentioned driving the bike till it get warm and having the water evaporate??

[Who Dat?]

Has anyone mentioned simply using a rag or a sponge to soak up the water?

[Cipher]

Has anyone mentioned simply using a rag or a sponge to soak up the water?

You could park near the end of a runway and wait for jet blast to blow it dry?

[trevor]

Dude, I blow dry my bikes

[rphillips]

Just my opinion, not with a jet plane nor on a runway.... but not guaranteeing it

[Baatfam]

Dude, I blow dry my bikes

Still....I bet your drain holes are open...

[Rob S.]

Dude, I blow dry my bikes

That's what they do at the Hardly dealership. My Sportster got caught in a drizzle once or twice, but my Suzi has remained indoors in any inclement weather since I got her in 2013.