K11 Owners Group

SugarHillCTD

OK, boys and girls- it's name that leak time. %#@$!##@$### Actually it is engine oil (doesn't smell like 90 wgt). Just started to notice that the trailing edge of the fairing lower was dark and slightly wet. Took the fairing lower off a few days ago and now each morning the concrete in the garage has a quarter sized oil stain.

Getting at least 2-3 drops out of it each night. This doesn't bother me except that it is in the bell housing with the clutch disc. It must be the rear engine seal, right?

All you experienced brick pilots- how long will it keep up this minor leak before it becomes a MAJOR leak? Can I put another 8-10k on it this summer and split the bike in half next winter? Or will this become a river in the next thousand or so miles?

Inquiring minds want to know........
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

jpberens1994K1100RS · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 11:13 pm Post subject: Name that leak

Rear main seal my thinks
More experienced moto brick riders will be along.

If it was me, this time of year, I'd switch back to pure dino oil and try an automotive type leak stopper oil additive. Watch it for a bit, see if it slows or stops.
From what I understand it CAN possible contaminate the clutch, but more likely just keep oooozing and sloooooooooooooooooooooooowly leaking.

My 93 RS don't leak nutin no where, yet.

JINX!
_________________
1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
2014 Moto Guzzi Norge

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 11:38 pm Post subject:

Could be the clutch nut O-ring. I bought one leaking like that in LA (PO told me about it before purchase so it wasn't a surprise). I put about 2,000 miles on the bike before fixing it. Oil never made it to the clutch plate.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Off the grid · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 5:47 am Post subject:

Usually the clutch will eventually start slipping in about a month or so.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 6:13 am Post subject:

OK guys, thanks for the input. I only use non-synthetic 20w-50- was possibly going to go to straight 50 wgt oil for the summer months.

Clutch nut o-ring? You mean #10 in the picture?

Either way looks like the bike needs to be split at the clutch housing. My concern is getting through the summer months without the leak getting much bigger.
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 6:15 am Post subject:

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 7:45 am Post subject:

Dave,

You are just a little ray of sunshine. Shocked

Littleton Motorsports (very local Kawasaki dealer) Hmmmm.... Concours. Something that keeps the fluids where they are supposed to stay.

_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

tmoons · Flying Brick Rider Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Posts: 161

Off the grid · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 8:16 am Post subject:

Concours=heavy, high speed wobble, LOTS of heat. Other than that, bulletproof.

Better off with a 1st Gen FZ1 or late model FJR.

Not that I'm biased with the FZ1, or anything. Surprised

_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 9:27 am Post subject:

Concours and K-RS- pretty close in weight

Wobble? The only wobble comment I could find was when the C-14 was compared to the FJR and it was describing the Yamaha.

Anyway, I will be going to do a test ride in the next few days.

Overall, I am tired of wrenching on a 16 Y.O. bike. I have more time in the garage than in the saddle this year.

Having a local dealer do the work is a huge benefit to me. And I don't expect to see morning drips.

I am just curious about a different "sport-tourer"
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 9:34 am Post subject:

#11

It's a 16 year old O-ring made out of rubber that has been through multiple heat cycles.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Jim · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 10:42 am Post subject: oil leak

old guy old bike · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 9:01 pm Post subject:

Mine has leaked there ever since I bought in the spring of '07. Quarter size every morning. Has not effected the clutch and there is no real difference in the fluid level when I replace it every spring. I say, screw it. i am going to ride it until I am forced to fix it. I little piece of cardboard under it at night does the trick for me.
Jeff
_________________
1993 K1100LT
2003 K1200GT Gone but not forgotten
2014 Victory Crossraods

Mystic Red · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 9:19 pm Post subject:

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 9:24 pm Post subject:

old guy old bike · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 10:13 pm Post subject:

I am sure that it is just throwing the oil out against the bell and then it slowly works it's way down to the weep hole. Hell, I have a 500 cubic inch hemi in a funny car that does the same thing. A pig mat in the belly pan does the trick. Kind of like the cardboard on the floor. Both get the job done.
_________________
1993 K1100LT
2003 K1200GT Gone but not forgotten
2014 Victory Crossraods

larryb22 · Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 7:07 am Post subject:

I would NOT plug the weep hole. It's there for a reason. The oil might get deep enough to reach the clutch plates. Just clean it up whenever needed.
Larry
_________________
2008 Yamaha XV250
S/W Michigan USA

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 8:04 am Post subject:

OK, this is gonna' drive me nuts

As of yesterday (sure, now that I brought the topic up) the leak has stopped for the first time in several weeks. AAARRGGHH! But it has been cooler here and it seems to leak more after longer rides at higher temperatures- that IS logical.

So my thought of using 50 wgt oil for the summer might slow it down.

ALSO, was it Drake that first "documented" the hiding oil phenomenon?

Well yesterday after the bike was sitting for several hours at my office- level ground, center stand, there was nearly no oil showing- problem, leak getting bigger?
Went home and within a few minutes it was 1/2 way between the dot and top. WTF??

If my email address is changed to the nut house please someone visit me but first go destroy this evil bike- my wife will gladly help you.......
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

owrstrich · Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 11:32 am Post subject:

if i took a picture of the bottom side and the side side of my engine it would resemble taft california...

j o
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yeeeeeehaaaaaaa...

bsettlefl · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Posts: 5

Mine has been leaking at the rear seal for about 4 years now, and the clutch is working fine. After it sits for a week or so I get a couple tablespoons when I take it off of the side stand, but I just watch the level on the road and ride on.