Hitchcocks Forum

Hi there, I have an oil leak pooling in the bay of the bike. I can't work out for the life of me what is causing the problem, but this is leaking both when running and when sat idle. This is one day after having the bike jetted down but it has been known to be worse.

Image attached. ------ http://www.image-upload.net/di/ZRZM/WP_000275.jpg

--- any ideas whats causing this, and how I can rectify it?

Ralph

Hi BOLOGNE --------------- can't get an image from that link ---------

Me neither.

http://www.imageupload.org/en/file/2409 ... 5.jpg.html

How's this?

Sorry for that

Is that breather full of Oil or just discoloured. II notice you don't have a proper breather hose dose it have a duck bill fitted on the end as this helps create a partial vacuum in the crankcase which helps stop leaks. It looks like that Oil may be from the base of the cylinder but more photos would help if possible.

I would put money on the leak being caused by excess crankcase pressure. First thing to do is sort out that breather. Looks like the catch tank is full. Drain it down and check it is all to spec, you really need the duckbill ended tube, like Paul says. Once the breather is working properly that should sort the leak, so long as no gaskets have blown. I would also check the condition of the gasket for the tappet adjusting cover. I had a weep from mine and that position is where the oil would end up, forced inwards/rearwards by wind.

Looks to me like the distributor flange to timing case is leaking, or the oil seal on the distributor shaft is leaking and the oil is dripping from the bottom of the end cover. To check the latter, remove the cover and see if there is a lot of oil at the bottom. I would also mop up the oil and fill the area with kitchen towel paper and after some usage check the paper to get a good idea as to where the oil is coming from.

I have the same problem on a 2006 350 Classic. Amost certain it's the distributor flange seal. I intend to sort it out when I have to replace the kickstart pawl - won't be too long!

I've enlarged the pic and for the life of me I can't see anything other than the breather being somewhat oily.

Will try to get some better pictures as soon as this torrential rain eases up... --- Previous to this spraydown I lost almost the entire contents of oil over about 3 weeks sitting idle (much longer than I normally leave it). All I could see was that the bay pictured had a lot more oil all over, and it had all trickled down the centre stand. I sprayed it up to try and work out where it was originating from, and so will obtain some more pictures, thank you so far!