VF500 Oil Leak (left side)

Well, I've been trying to take my time and tackle my problems 1 at a time. I'm getting along with the rest of it, and it is coming towards the end of my problems *fingers crossed*.

Now, for people new to me, my bike has had a complete engine rebuild down to the crank shaft. Right now has just under 300 miles on the rebuild.

I have a fairly bad oil leak on the left side of my bike, it is hard to tell exactly where it is coming from, and I'm starting to think there are multiple places.

I'm going to post several pictures, some you may not be able to see much, but I figured I'll post any that I thought may have value to people who know more than me.


In this picture, you can see how big the normal oil leak is. Also would like to note that I have heat shield around my exhaust to try to keep the oil from dripping directly to the exhaust and causing me to be smoked out at stop lights (or catch a fire)


Here is what an oil spot looks like if I let the bike sit for a few hours after riding, it doesn't leak unless the engine is running, and it takes a little bit of a ride before it makes it's way to the ground.


Not really sure what is going on in this picture.


Also unsure on what is going on in this picture.



So, Maybe you guys can help me figure out where it is coming from, and maybe a way to try and get it stopped. The main reason i'm worried is that there is oil dripping onto the left side of my rear tire, and i'm very hesitant when taking left turns to not try to push my luck. I may be over thinking it, but I could also be under thinking it.


You can see the oil on the left side of my tire, it isn't real slick, more sticky on the tire, but i think that may be a different story when it comes to the pavement.

As Always, thanks for any help!

 

First off, I love the pipes. I didn't realize they had writing on the back. Awesome.

A wild guess here, but are the valve covers on the right way? They look like they can be installed either way, but one direction seals them, and another, well, doesn't. You will be able to feel a lip overhanging on one side. If that doesn't do it I would suggest you clean it down really good, start her up, and sit there and stare at the bike until you find the location.

 

I am going to agree with both the above posters.....from the pictures it appears to be leaking where Tink has pointed out...and Ferrone is right you should start it up and stare at the bitch while she is running . just too watch oil come out.

If you just did a total rebuild check your tourque onn your casing bolts and make sure you are correct on those

 

All great points above, but the key to me would be to degrease and clean that baby right up. Right now it looks like quite a mess. Get it spotless and then you can trace the leak(s) much easier.

Question in addition to the above re torque of the fasteners, what did you use on the mating surfaces of the cases and did you use fresh gaskets for places where there should be gaskets like the alt cover or did you use something else?

 

There are a few tings under the chain cover that could be doing it. There's a water pump to case o-ring seal, the countershaft seal that was already mentioned, and the clutch pushrod seal. The water pump seal is a really easy to change o-ring. The others aren't so easy. To change the clutch pusrod seal (and the countershaft seal, I believe) you have to split the case apart. I fixed my clutch pusrod seal by sqeezing an o-ring into it. It sounds a bit unorthodox, and not the sort of thing I usually do, but it sure beats pulling the engine back apart! I've been running mine that way for about a year now!

 

Did this get resolved?

 

Not completely, but it is much MUCH better. While replacing the stator I took a good look around, threw some RTV around some places, and made sure all bolts around there were snug. The clutch pushrod seal is where i'd guess everything that is leaking now is coming from, but unlike before where I ended up with puddle under my bike when done riding, I am getting <10 drops of oil. The rear tire is no longer collecting oil. So unless it worsens, I will leave it be for now. I think that it is finally getting broken in from the rebuild, sitting just over 530 miles. That being said, i'm getting to enjoy the ride much more, as I hadn't pushed it over 7000rpm's for the first 300 miles, now i've hit mid 9's a few times, she's got some get up and go