a little oil goes a long way

[1608]

G12 DL, I recently honed the barrels and fitted new rings. After a couple of short trips everything appeared ok No smoke etc. Couple of days later started the bike and the right exhaust became very smokey and I assumed a broken ring, but it eventually cleared. It turned out that the kick start shaft has been leaking and dripping onto the exh pipe and running along to the joint with the silencer. The oil built up in the exh took some time to burn off. That will teach me to keep neglecting the k/start seal replacement.

[Rob Harknett]

That is supposed to leak to stop the exhaust rusting inside.

[Yves.Astein]

That is supposed to leak to stop the exhaust rusting inside.

... and I was always wondering why they put that oil leak there.


Yves

[Taid]

I thought the oil leak was to save the cost of a dip-stick .. when there's no leak, top-up ..

[robcurrie]

I stopped at a garage the other day to put in petrol and also asked for a pint of oil. The guy brought the oil and asked if he could pour it in the oil tank or save me some trouble and just pour it on the ground.

Rob C

[alanjennings]

Good one!

[Rob Harknett]

The reason the old bikes leak, is because they are left so long in the shed without being ridden. When the were used daily, they were never left long enough to leak.

[MikeM.]

Fit a square section "o" ring in place of the the round section one in the gearbox cover, if it's sloppy in the slot then put silicone sealant in the slot first to take up up sloppiness.

[1608]

This will be the second lipped seal I've fitted in the 10+ odd yrs I've had the bike. Again, I think laziness on my part is partly to blame. The k/start return spring needs another wind on it, the k/start falls back and them upright every time 1st gear is used. This obviously has accelerated the seal wear. I've got too many bikes, Roy, obviously