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Van Islander's TX650A - Quest for a Daily Rider
- Thread starter TX650A Van Islander
- Start date
That is nice to hear. Thanks for clarifying that 5T
I've been debating posting this as its embarrassing and I should have been more cautious. This is one of those situations where you learn what not to do based on someone else's mistake (mine). I've been trying to contain the crankcase ventilation blowby/oil pressure resulting in dumping oil all over the bottom of my bike and the ground wherever I park it. Earlier discussion had noted that later model XS650s had reduced diameter crankcase ventilation tubes by means of plugs with smaller holes.
I thought I could replicate the result of that by plugging one hole completely and connecting the hose from the second tube to a filter line in the first photo. To catch the oil coming from the filter I placed the filter in a spray can top and zap strapped the whole apparatus into place just forward of the rear fender, on top of the swing arm. When I ran the bike in the driveway it seemed there was lots of air coming out, indicating adequate crankcase ventilation.
I then went on a ride for perhaps 20 miles. Later on that day I looked closely at the engine and unfortunately the oil had been forced through one side of the base gasket, out the oil delivery tube joints at the front of the engine, head gasket, side oil filter, clutch side cover, starter gear gasket. You get the picture.
I cleaned it up and removed my mistake and connected another tube to the second vent tube connection. I've terminated both tubes with lots of air space into a smaller container resting in the same spot above the swing arm. I put a small amount of steel wool in the bottom of this container so the oil would not splash. I rode the bike again and not near as much of an issue but my base gasket is definitely compromised as it leaked there again even though I had lots and lots of air pressure coming out of the vent tubes.
Meanwhile, the bike runs better down the road than it ever has. Photo of plugs attached.
Thoughts? Very disappointed in my rookie move. I see a new gasket kit and teardown in my future.
I thought I could replicate the result of that by plugging one hole completely and connecting the hose from the second tube to a filter line in the first photo. To catch the oil coming from the filter I placed the filter in a spray can top and zap strapped the whole apparatus into place just forward of the rear fender, on top of the swing arm. When I ran the bike in the driveway it seemed there was lots of air coming out, indicating adequate crankcase ventilation.
I then went on a ride for perhaps 20 miles. Later on that day I looked closely at the engine and unfortunately the oil had been forced through one side of the base gasket, out the oil delivery tube joints at the front of the engine, head gasket, side oil filter, clutch side cover, starter gear gasket. You get the picture.
I cleaned it up and removed my mistake and connected another tube to the second vent tube connection. I've terminated both tubes with lots of air space into a smaller container resting in the same spot above the swing arm. I put a small amount of steel wool in the bottom of this container so the oil would not splash. I rode the bike again and not near as much of an issue but my base gasket is definitely compromised as it leaked there again even though I had lots and lots of air pressure coming out of the vent tubes.
Meanwhile, the bike runs better down the road than it ever has. Photo of plugs attached.
Thoughts? Very disappointed in my rookie move. I see a new gasket kit and teardown in my future.
That’s too bad. On my ‘76 I run a single vent to atmosphere without issue. Maybe you have excessive crankcase pressure for other reasons. I’m surprised all those gaskets have been compromised and seeing all that oil.
My ‘79 vents into the factory air boxes and I can’t see any wetness of the vent tubes with oil.
Have you done recent compression and leakdown tests. Maybe you’re getting too much blow by? I’d do some more detective work before pulling the engine.
On the upside your plug colour looks good.
My ‘79 vents into the factory air boxes and I can’t see any wetness of the vent tubes with oil.
Have you done recent compression and leakdown tests. Maybe you’re getting too much blow by? I’d do some more detective work before pulling the engine.
On the upside your plug colour looks good.
I will have to get a reliable compression tester and do that. It does pull strongly so I would be shocked if the compression isn't good but I've been wrong before on this...
And, no evidence of burning oil.
And, no evidence of burning oil.
So good news and not so good news.
First, I gave my compression tester to a friend and he compared it to his and found mine to register about 15 psi lower.
I have installed new tubes running from each of the crankcase vent connections and have them dumping out into a more permanent receptacle installed above the swingarm.
That said, I did a dry compression test, and found one side at 135 psi and the other at 140 psi, after 10 kicks. After 20 kicks it was 10 psi higher on both sides. I rode the bike and ran great. Oil leaks seemed to have gone. That was a few days ago. Today I did a wet compression test and after 10 harder kicks I got 150 psi in each side, so that is nice, especially considering my gauge may be registering lower that it actually is. I rode the bike about 40 miles and ran it up to 65 mph and that is when the weepy base gasket showed itself - the not so good part. Its not leaking a lot, but it is a drag for sure.
I used an Athena gasket kit when I put it together.
The second photo was the ride destination today, Patricia Bay, just north of Victoria, at low tide.
First, I gave my compression tester to a friend and he compared it to his and found mine to register about 15 psi lower.
I have installed new tubes running from each of the crankcase vent connections and have them dumping out into a more permanent receptacle installed above the swingarm.
That said, I did a dry compression test, and found one side at 135 psi and the other at 140 psi, after 10 kicks. After 20 kicks it was 10 psi higher on both sides. I rode the bike and ran great. Oil leaks seemed to have gone. That was a few days ago. Today I did a wet compression test and after 10 harder kicks I got 150 psi in each side, so that is nice, especially considering my gauge may be registering lower that it actually is. I rode the bike about 40 miles and ran it up to 65 mph and that is when the weepy base gasket showed itself - the not so good part. Its not leaking a lot, but it is a drag for sure.
I used an Athena gasket kit when I put it together.
The second photo was the ride destination today, Patricia Bay, just north of Victoria, at low tide.
On my ‘76, the Athena base gasket sticks out but is dry and not “wiggly’’. Keeping my fingers crossed it will stay that way.I'm gonna post this link here 'cause it pertains to the Athena gasket set. @grizld1 warned us it was junk... and we didn't listen.
Here's my Athena base gasket....
View attachment 210483
That’s good news. Bike looks great! Glad you’re able to enjoy it. Still cold and raining here.
Thanks. I did read some negative comments on the Athena gaskets recently, which is why I mentioned it. Seems a common problem with these base gaskets?
What is a better type of gasket kit to use in the future?
What is a better type of gasket kit to use in the future?
One of the things I did with my XS2 base gasket was to dimple the surface of the bottom of the cylinders and the top of the case with a spring loaded punch. I read this somewhere during my build process. Not sure what brand but it is greenish blue and probably purchased from mikes 12 years ago. The reason for doing this was to minimize the gasket from squishing out. Seems to have worked for me. I figured the dimples would not hurt anything and indeed would help to keep that gasket in place. I also put the gasket on dry which has been the practice on all of my builds. Not being familiar with the XS650 back then I figured what the heck ill give it a try.
Right, cra-z1, the blue-green stuff is from Athena. Van Islander, an oil seep at the cam chain tensioner can mimic a bad base gasket. It's common for Athena base gaskets to creep out at the edge, but I haven't seen any reports of leaking, so be sure to eliminate the tensioner assembly as a source before you pull the motor. Vesrah gaskets are OE spec and quality and not much more expensive than the green meanies. They're available online and from any indy shop or dealership with a K&L Supply catalogue. You might consider replacing the filter with a 1-way valve in your crankcase breather line.
Yes that's the other thing I did with the XS2 was to install Mikes 1 way valves, which is two on the XS2. I think that has been one of the things that has keep my engine leak free. They are neatly tucked behind the engine using homemade mounts and slight modifications to the valve. Another product from Mikes which seem to be well made.
Thanks Grizld1 and cra-z1. I will be investigating those items. I am currently not running any filter. Those two hoses just dump into a tall narrow container with steel wool at the bottom of it. I've got good air low out of the hoses now. Will have a closer look at the cam chain tensioner for leaking.
I reported my Athena base gasket pushing out shortly after my rebuild many years ago. It was over-sized to begin with so these pics kinda look worse than what actually happened. The light green areas around the outside were already hanging out because of the large gasket size. The push out is only the darker areas along the inside. I applied gasket sealer, hence the darker inner areas, and I dimpled the sealing surface with a punch as well .....
Frankly, this scared me, but it never pushed out any more than shown, and thankfully has never leaked. After observing it for several months and noting that it wasn't pushing out any more, I trimmed off all the excess with an Xacto knife .....
It's remained as shown above ever since, not pushing out anymore. Needless to say, I won't be using Athena base gaskets in the future, lol. I acquired some N.O.S. originals off eBay and also have some Vesrah ones.
Griz, do you recommend treating the base gaskets like the head gaskets, spraying them with that Copper Coat stuff?
Frankly, this scared me, but it never pushed out any more than shown, and thankfully has never leaked. After observing it for several months and noting that it wasn't pushing out any more, I trimmed off all the excess with an Xacto knife .....
It's remained as shown above ever since, not pushing out anymore. Needless to say, I won't be using Athena base gaskets in the future, lol. I acquired some N.O.S. originals off eBay and also have some Vesrah ones.
Griz, do you recommend treating the base gaskets like the head gaskets, spraying them with that Copper Coat stuff?
Yep, I shoot both sides of both base and head gaskets with 2 or 3 coats of Permatex Copper Spray-A-Gasket. It's great stuff, you can spray the gasket and let it sit for days and the sealant will still be effective.
It seems one day I will be replacing these gaskets, so I'll be looking for them soon. I followed Jim's top end rebuild from the tech section when I did the top end, so I used the copper spray on the head gasket but not the base gasket. Will try that next time. It did work fine for 2000 miles until my mistake.
Lmk if you find a good deal. Maybe I’ll buy a set for “inventory”. I probably have a lifetime supply of Athena gaskets already. Lol
I got some nice new Revit riding pants a few months ago. They have a tough plastic/rubber type wear strip which is located on the area of your inner ankle. Yesterday I melted some off onto my otherwise nice exhaust. Neither laquer thinner nor autosol seems to get it off of the chrome. Ideas? Thanks.
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Try Easy Off Oven cleaner. Do a small patch first. May need to soak a while
