Ooops. I guess it's my turn ...

[Steve]

You don't sound convinced.

It was just a quick trip around the block. I will be riding it a bit more during the upcoming week, that might convince me a bit more.

.

[Steve]

OK, have put on about 100 miles since the gasket replacement.

The outside of the engine is DRY!!

I am amazed at how little I did, but it seemed to have worked.

I removed the gasket. It came out in one piece, so was easy to inspect for flaws. I saw none.

I re-torqued the head. Just out of principle. Loosened each nut, re-torqued to proper specs.

I checked valve clearances. Virtually no changes since last time in there, 2991 miles ago.

I installed a new valve cover gasket and torqued the cover down. Installed the breather with the same (old) gasket.

I topped off the crankcase with more SYNTHETIC oil.

I have now ridden about 100 miles, it looks great to me.

.

[storm 64]

I love a story with a happy ending.☺ Good job Steve👍

[DaveR]

A lot of spots on the new floor Steve.

[Steve]

A lot of spots on the new floor Steve.

Some are from my bikes, but most are from working on OTHER bikes.

.

[Guest]

OK, have put on about 100 miles since the gasket replacement.

The outside of the engine is DRY!!

I am amazed at how little I did, but it seemed to have worked.

I removed the gasket. It came out in one piece, so was easy to inspect for flaws. I saw none.

I re-torqued the head. Just out of principle. Loosened each nut, re-torqued to proper specs.

I checked valve clearances. Virtually no changes since last time in there, 2991 miles ago.

I installed a new valve cover gasket and torqued the cover down. Installed the breather with the same (old) gasket.

I topped off the crankcase with more SYNTHETIC oil.

I have now ridden about 100 miles, it looks great to me.

.

Steve,
I have some slight seepage at jug base and head gasket that I think a re-torque would cure. When you say "loosened each nut" you meant one at a time then torqued to spec or did you loosen all then torque?

[Steve]

I did them one at a time, just to be sure I did not disturb anything else.

Might have to check with one of the more experience engine builders to see if that was the correct procedure, but that's what I did.

Just to add a bit of detail: The torque spec for my 850 is 27 lb-ft. I would loosen one nut, then torque it to 24. Repeat on all the others, taking them all to 24 lb-ft.
After they were all at 24, I followed the correct pattern and tightened them all to 27.

.

[Guest]

That's what I read elsewhere. Sounds like the way I want to go.

Thank you,
Alan

[Steve]

There is no guarantee that will stop your leak, but it's a good first step to eliminating the possibility of loose fasteners.

.

[Guest]

Yeah I know. The machine runs too good and the compression is too good for disturbing yet.
The leak is just enough to collect dust and require an often "gunking" wash.

[Joe Garfield]

Steve, I'm glad to hear you got the leak fixed, and that it wasn't more than the valve cover gasket.

Edit: It took everything I had to not contribute to the 'oil thread'.

[Joe Garfield]

Whose 1100G is that?

Yes, such a beautiful piece of machinery...thanks for noticing