Chasing an oil leak

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maylar

maylar

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Soliciting favorite methods of locating an oil leak. I'm getting a small puddle under my MKII the day after a ride. It's under the gearbox though it's not gear oil. I see the right frame rail getting grungy and I suspect it's leaking either from the oil tank lines or the filter.

Has anyone here used the UV dyes and light to successfully locate a leak source?
 
Thanks. I have a good NAPA local to me. I'll have to hose the bike down first and start clean. Oil tank has had the cNw mods.
 
Lower supply line at the tank is a good start.
How are you containing the blow by from the oil tank.

I’ve located my drip. It’s the kick start O ring.
It’s still dripping. I’ll get to it eventually.
Mean time I wipe it down after ride.
 
I have similar leak under gearbox and CS leg right side, under its foot. Not gb oil. I did find some grunge beneath oil tank cap, hard to see without checking carefully. Also found some seep around oil feed spigot off the back of tank, the large hex section fitting needed a snug. Also check if you have a good plug on the chain oiler spigot top of left side of tank, hard to reach (assuming you have not kept the oiler installed).
 
If you don't have a black light available I've had success with foot powder such as Desenex. With everything wiped as dry as you can get, maybe with a bit of brake cleaner, spray the area with the foot powder. With luck a short ride will show the source as a damp spot.
 
Dave,
Did you oil your swing-arm pivot lately?Mine will seep for a week or so after (140wt.)
Mike
 
For what it's worth - I have pretty much eliminated all engine leakage by fitting an anti-wet sump valve, and a reed valve crankcase breather.

I know it doesn't solve your problem, but just thought it was worth mentioning.
 
I wipe all down with kitchen roll towels frequently. Relentless cleaning makes it easier to spot trouble.
 
Onder said:
I wipe all down with kitchen roll towels frequently. Relentless cleaning makes it easier to spot trouble.
Click to expand...
My wife won't allow the bike into the kitchen. Actually, I haven't asked, but I know the answer. o_O
 
Some mysteries are left best unsolved. Why? They lead to other mysteries that need solving.

I get a dime's worth on my Norton garage floor diaper right about the same spot after a ride. I just wipe the oil up and say damned old motorcycle in my head. Sometimes I say it out loud. Mine is oil mist out of my air filtered catch can attached to the chain oiler froth vent out of the oil tank. The mist builds up and dribbles down the back of the gearbox. Not a Commando though. If I were to block that froth vent, I'm not sure what would happen. Oil tank explosion is my first guess.

Goes into and comes out of plumbing back of the timing cover slightly leaking and blowing back onto the front of the gearbox, or oil filter plumbing (if you have an oil filter) would be suspects. I think you covered it though, so hell if I know. No I've never used a dye to find an oil leak. Way too sophisticated for me. :)
 
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