Vintage and Classic Hondas

Oily Leg

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jamman18

Oily Leg

Well, the latest thing happening is that on the left side of the bike (#1 cyl. I believe) there is a little oil leaking out from somewhere and getting my lower leg hot oiled! Plug is tight. What do you all think is the most likely culprit?

Phil. 4:13 " I can do all things through Him who strengthens me"

sgtslag

Re: Oily Leg

Check the head gasket. These bikes are notorious for this gasket developing a leak: they harden, then crack -- on DOHC's, it usually means pulling the engine to replace the gasket.

To determine where the leak is, use a degreaser on the engine area that is suspect, dry it off, then run it for a short trip, long enough to spew some oil. Then dust it with talcum powder by blowing some out of the palm of your hand (you can also spray foot powder onto it). The powder will darken when it hits oil, and it should show you where the oil is, as well as where it is coming from. Cheers!

1979 CB750K (sold, 2012, but not forgotten)
1983 Kawasaki 440 LTD Belt Drive (sold, 2011)
1993 Kawasaki Voyager XII

Re-run

Re: Oily Leg

Administrator

In reply to this post by jamman18

My bet goes to head gasket. Mine is biting the dust too. And it is on the left side mainly. sigh.

The ride IS the adventure. The destination is just to get gas!

TOOLS1

Re: Oily Leg

Administrator

In reply to this post by jamman18

It is more then likely the head bolt covers located under the camshaft. When they lose their seal they leak oil out between the fins. You do not need to remove the head to fix them. Just the camshaft. The Toolmatic leaks on both sides. I just poke cotton cloths line rope between the fins. Pack it in with a screwdriver, and it will keep the oil from making a mess. When the rope becomes dirty. Just replace it.
Here is a link to the head bolt covers. http://www.vintagecb750.com/products/4/engine They are the 4th, and 5th down.
TOOLS

Life is not about the number of breaths, you take, but the moments that take your breath away.
I don't have an anger problem. I have an idiot problem. Hank Hill
Never confuse education for intelligence.
Happiness is a belt fed weapon.
I just can't imagine what could go wrong.
No fire? No explosions? So whats the point of your story?
Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. ~Plato
It couldn't be done, but the darn fool didn't know it, and did it anyway.
We all got problems. Ksharp
I like vintage bikes because they take me away from the clutter of technology that I work with everyday and back to a simpler time of mechanical elegance and simplicity.. "ninadm"
Darkwing Duck: The worst part of public transportation is the Public.
"That is awesome shit there" Re-Run
"Fear nothing, attack everything" Eric Berry
" Oh, you read that on the internet? Clearly it IS a massive problem. Of course it CAN’t be normal operation."

1976 CB 750-A X 2
1977 CB 750-A X 4
1977 CB 750-K
1976 CB 750 F
1981 CB 750
1966 Kawasaki SG 250
1981 KZ 750 LTD
1973 CB 350
1979 CM 185 Twinstar
1982 Honda XL 80
South of Eden (Kansas City MO)

shinyribs

Re: Oily Leg

Administrator

TOOLS1 wrote

I just poke cotton cloths line rope between the fins.... When the rope becomes dirty. Just replace it.

TOOLS

HA HA HA HA That is awesome.I like your style Tools

You just went up ten points in my book

.....i wouldn't get too excited about it though,"my" book is not worth a whole lot,you know

Rodgil

Re: Oily Leg

In reply to this post by jamman18

Try loosening and re-tensioning the head bolts, do them one at a time. That stopped the oil leak from the head gasket on my DOHC. Correct tension is 26 to 29 foot/pounds

jamman18

Re: Oily Leg

Thanks for all the help!

Phil. 4:13 " I can do all things through Him who strengthens me"