XS650 Oil Leak

[shnieky]

Hi All,

Just joined the forum and looking forward to learning lots here! I have a 1980 XS650 I picked up earlier this year and it runs pretty good. It does however have a slow oil leak that's leavings its mark wherever i go and is probably getting places it doesn't need to...

It looks like its pooling in a few spots, getting onto the sprocket/chain. I think it may be a gasket that is no longer good. The engine seems to be clean/free of oil above the sparkplug. Any idea's what could be causing this to happen based on the photos?

 

[gggGary]

What makes you think it's just ONE leak?
1) head stud retorque read the whole thread. (or at least all my posts)
2) check that the front sprocket is tight. a loose sprocket will cause a leak
3) clutch pushrod leak is VERY popular.
4) poorly cleaned sump gaskets leak
5) tach drive has a hard to get out oil seal, it leaks.
6) if you decide to snug up the cylinder head oil feed tube be VERY careful, it's easy to overtorque and strip the aluminum threads in the block.
Do all that, clean the engine with mineral spirits and watch for any oil to appear.

 

[Mailman]

I’ll add Gary’s photo of common oil leak locations to go along with what he just said.

 

[shnieky]

Thank you both for the detailed answers - this is great!!

 

[gggGary]

PS welcome aboard!
Lets see some pics of the whole bike?

The sprocket washer NEEDS to be folded up tight to a nut flat to keep the sprocket from loosening, can't tell for sure if yours is.

 

[shnieky]

Thank you! Looking forward to being a part of the community and learning from others!

Here's the XS:

 

[gggGary]

Another; Hardened, shrunk valve cover O-rings.

 

[gggGary]

Cool! That back fender needs to get rusty to match the tank?

 

[shnieky]

Cool! That back fender needs to get rusty to match the tank?

Agreed!