I rode my 80 gs 1000L yesterday about 30 miles,just had to get out on it.I have had the oil leak around the front head bolt for several weeks and have not ridden the bike except around the block.The bike runs perfectly,but has a leak that runs down the whole left side of the motor when it is parked,gets on the exhaust,etc.I got back to my driveway,never made any noise when i was riding.It sounded like there was a noise coming from inside the motor,almost like when a radiator is overheated and making that moaning sound,or maybe something down inside the motor.I stopped the bike,waited only about 30 seconds and restarted it.never made the osund again.I was wondering is it likely dangerous to the motor to ride it anywhere with the oil leak? It had the oil to the midpint in the site glass.33,000 miles.i am about to tear it down.if i see something inside what would i see if the crank is seizing or piston is seizing or similar problem.like i said,the bike runs great,that's why i like i so much.I dont want to order feeler gauges,tappet depressor,impact wrench,shims,etc if ya'll think something much worse than an oil leak is going on.Thanks for input.If no ideas come from you all,I will tell ya'll what i see when i tear it apart.if it is too bad i wont rebuild it.Ron b
-
Required reading for all forum users!!!
Welcome!
Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.A note to new registrants...
All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.A Special Note about Email accounts!
DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.A note to old forum members...
I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.
Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...
-
Returning Visitors
If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.
If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.
riding with an oil leak still leaking
- Thread starter ron bayless
- Start date
G
Guest
Guest
As long as your oild level is ok don't sweat it.
thanks chef.I appreciate it.
T
tfb
Guest
You say "the front head bolt"... but can you be a bit more specific?
I've got a hunch it's probably coming out of where your tachometer cable enters the head. Then it's dripping down onto the cooling fin, and then running across to the LHS when you've got the machine on the sidestand.
I've got a hunch it's probably coming out of where your tachometer cable enters the head. Then it's dripping down onto the cooling fin, and then running across to the LHS when you've got the machine on the sidestand.
You may also want to check the camchain tensioner area.
This a source of a lot of questionable leaks it seems.
This a source of a lot of questionable leaks it seems.
J
JHawkins
Guest
Thats the Harley riders motto isn't it?
THERE IS A BOLT THAT GOES UP INSTEAD OF DOWN,THE HEAD IS POINTING TO THE GROUND.IT IS ALLEGEDLY 6 MM IN DIAMETER.tHE CAM CHAIN VALLEY IS IN THAT AREA AND I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A NOTORIOUS SPOT for gs bikes to leak.Some of the later models and the katanas had a o ring around the 2 bolts on either side of the valley and replacing them might have fixed the problem.My bike doesnt have those.the leak is no doubt coming around this one bolt,then the oil runs sideways towards each cooling fin of the motor on either side,but drips very much when sitting in the driveway on the kickstand and leaning left.also the oil gets on the toe of my shoe where the shifter touches it.I wish it was the tach oil seal,that would be easy.i will start tearing it down tomorrow.Torqueing the bolts over aagian seldom helps this problem.I am most worried about the shimming of the valves.Ron b
I know exactly which bolt you mean. 
My experience with that bolt and leaking in that area is if you have torqued that "under" bolt to spec and it is still leaking in that area, the only way I found to stop the leak was to replace the head gasket. The bitch about that is its chancy to not replace the base gasket also.
Earl
My experience with that bolt and leaking in that area is if you have torqued that "under" bolt to spec and it is still leaking in that area, the only way I found to stop the leak was to replace the head gasket. The bitch about that is its chancy to not replace the base gasket also.Earl
I know exactly which bolt you mean.
Earl
Yep,i agree.I am going to tear the mother down to the pavement.I aint doing this but once.i will replace every gasket,seal,o ring,washer that I can find while i have it apart.Then, the moment of truth when i get it all back together and push the starter button and it starts up and no more leaks will be sweet indeed.