Total Motorcycle Community Forums

jonnythan wrote:
I'd be surprised if a blown head gasket led to that much oil leaking, because the head is where the gasoline gets combusted so there's little to no oil up there.

Actually, a blown head gasket will leak that much oil, as that is where the oil passages go through in order to lubricate the camshafts. I had a similar problem on my old Suzuki GS650GL. a new head gasket solved the problem.

If the oil seems to be leaking out more at the front near the base of the cylinder, then it could be the cylinder base gasket is shot, or, as storysunfolding mentioned, it could be the oil filter cover is leaking - also not an uncommon occurrence.

If you are still in Red Deer, let me know and maybe I can take a look at it for you and get you fixed up.

fire me a pm and let me know

Owen

thansk for the offer as well gadget for lookin at the bike. its in calgary right now in my yard.
now considering im not a total bike mechanic, and i have experience with moreso electrical or software based stuff, is this something that Google, the Forums and a bit of tinkering can fix (by myself and a buddy?) or is this something you think i have to take into a shop to have them look at ?

What I would do... is clean the whole area as best I can use brake clean or something similar. Look for the source of the leak. If you cannot find it specifically, then grab a fistfull of white powder (flour is cheaper then cocaine for this) and sprinkle it on the area. Then watch to see where it comes from. Where it comes from will let you know what needs to be done.

Replacing a head gasket is relatively easy, a base gasket is more involved. If it's the oil filter leaking then you've just gotta change out the filter and the gasket that goes with it.

All in all it'll come down to where the oil is coming from. We can talk you through the rest.

i should mention that that oil in the picture is not from this incident. thats an older picture.

also in regards to the oil leakin, its not enough to empty the looking glass to my knowledge, (i checked it when it was in red deer the other day) and i dont notice a sever amount

its a wee little bit when its standin still and it spits out some when im ridin.

so its a gasket problem though by popular opinion. you guys know how much a mechanic (shop or freelance) would charge for something like this? i dont know if im ready for a heavy undertakin... though i am gonna google it tonight to see what it intails... you never know i might get ballsy

hah
thanks again guys for your help

kennydude wrote:i should mention that that oil in the picture is not from this incident. thats an older picture.

also in regards to the oil leakin, its not enough to empty the looking glass to my knowledge, (i checked it when it was in red deer the other day) and i dont notice a sever amount

its a wee little bit when its standin still and it spits out some when im ridin.

so its a gasket problem though by popular opinion. you guys know how much a mechanic (shop or freelance) would charge for something like this? i dont know if im ready for a heavy undertakin... though i am gonna google it tonight to see what it intails... you never know i might get ballsy

hah
thanks again guys for your help

If it's the oil filter gasket, it should be the cost of an oil change plus a couple of bucks... and it's probably something that you should do yourself anyway. An oil change on that bike should be cake.

If it's a head or cylinder gasket......... you're probably better off selling or parting out the bike and getting something else. A mechanic will charge you way more than the bike is worth to do that kinda work.

A head gasket is a quick replacement. And if the cylinder/head isn't warped won't cost a lot to change.

A base gasket will cost more because you need to go deeper into the engine.

But if it's just a gasket leak neither should be prohibitively expensive, or it's something the members here can probably talk you through with the aid of a shop manual and some basic tools.

All in all, I would find out where the oil is coming from, then see if you can get access to the gaskets, then call the shop and ask how much it would cost to change.

ok, so i called up a few cycle places to inquire. this one - (this one ill leave unnamed cause i actually like them) kinda talked to me like i was an idiot, but eventually settled that they wouldnt work on it cause its too old.
the next one told me that it was also too old, but they were cool, and recommended me to another place.
and the third one i have to call back to at 5. they told me it would be at least 2.5 weeks though before they could look at it. but i still gotta call back

the 4th place i explaiend the story and they said theyd check it out for 95buck /hour. that a decent rate?


hah. thought id post the update.

hey guys sorry to bother you again.
basically ive decided im gonna do the oil change cause a buddy of mine knows how to do it. problem is is we cant find where the oil filter is.. we didnt really uncover anything yet cause we're not sure where it is.
any thoughts on where id find it on this bike?

The oil filter should be right on the bottom front of the engine. Look for a round cover held on by 2 or three small bolts - the oil filter will be under that. It's going to be a cartridge type filter, not a spin on external filter, so before you take the cover off, go to a dealership and get the appropriate replacement filter, as well as enough oil to refill the bike. Universal Cycle in Calgary is a good place to get these items, as Don there knows old bikes.

Once you have your supplies (filter, oil, drain pan, wrenches to remove drain plug and oil filter cover), lay them out next to your bike and get to work. Shouldn't take more than a half hour to do the complete change. Make sure you drain the oil out via the drain plug before you remove the filter cover and pull the filter.

If you want to make sure that you are going to be doing everything right, then get yourself a service manual first, before you loosen a single bolt. If none of your local shops have one in stock (they likely won't), then you should order one and wait until you have it before you do the oil change. Clymer Manuals are very good.