Loosing oil

TPR

XS650 Enthusiast
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Hi All

I have oil weeping on the left side cylinder head, and occasionally some from the air intake.

On local use I hardly ever have to have to top it up. But when I take on a longer faster ride the oil needs quite a top up to bring it up to where it should be. It doesn't smoke and runs great.

im going to do a compression check. I assume its the gasket leaking on the left side but are there any other possibilities?

Thanks
 
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As well as a leak directly from the head, it's possible that the oil seal, gasket and O ring on the camshaft end is leaking. To check this, remove the chrome cover above the spark plug, only two screws to remove it. Check for oil in there or dripping off the bottom from behind the points housing.

Pictures will help us to help you better.
 
I think you have two unrelated problems. an oil leak and high oil consumption. You may have to replace the head gasket to fix the oil leak, and while your in there, check valve guides, valve seals, pistons, and rings.
 
Hi All

I have oil weeping on the left side cylinder head, and occasionally some from the air intake.

On local use I hardly ever have to have to top it up. But when I take on a longer faster ride the oil needs quite a top up to bring it up to where it should be. It doesn't smoke and runs great.

im going to do a compression check. I assume its the gasket leaking on the left side but are there any other possibilities?

Thanks

The suggestions made so far are all good, in my humble opinion, and worth pursuing.

However, I must say that if your bike "runs great and doesn't smoke", then you could ultimately just ride it and enjoy it, and not get stressed out about the leakage. A little oil lost isn't going to ruin the environment or drain your wallet.

Have fun. :bike:



.
 
My '78 uses some oil, leaks some too, lol, but the compression is good and it runs well so I just top it up when needed. To help with that, I "upgraded" the right side cover to one with the oil sight glass, makes keeping an eye on the oil level quite simple .....

Oil Site Glass Right Cover.jpg
 
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The suggestions made so far are all good, in my humble opinion, and worth pursuing.

However, I must say that if your bike "runs great and doesn't smoke", then you could ultimately just ride it and enjoy it, and not get stressed out about the leakage. A little oil lost isn't going to ruin the environment or drain your wallet.

Have fun. :bike:



.
Thats true! but I will need to take oil out with me if I do a run again....
 
Have someone follow you and note when and which side smokes.
It only leaks on the left side and I have only got 1 exhaust and that doesn't smoke
My '78 uses some oil, leaks some too, lol, but the compression is good and it runs well ao I just top it up when needed. To help with that, I "upgraded" the right side cover to one with the oil sight glass, makes keeping an eye on the oil level quite simple .....

View attachment 351474
looks nice!
 
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