I made a jet change today, and decided to take the bike around to test out my jetting changes. I let it warm up until the head was warm to the touch, and took off. After about a mile of easy riding, I got on it and went through the powerband noting the jetting changes. When I pulled into the garage I shut it off and went in the house, and when I came back out to the garage I smelled burning oil. I went and looked and sure enough, the front had a little bit oil weeping out, the rear had a tiny spot, and the pushrod side had enough to run down onto the case.

I used the James torque spec for the James head gaskets, and James cylinder base gaskets. Maybe the bike wasn't warmed up properly? I don't know... I know some of you say that warming it up properly is a myth, but I'm starting to think there is some merit to it.


Either way I'm pissed... this bike has become such a money pit. Looks like I'll be pulling the top end off again VERY soon!

 

See my other post to you about re-torqueing the heads (last stage only) and also, check it is the bases and not the lifter blocks leaking....seen that a few times. Or...even more common, a pushrod tube seal not in properly.

 

Hope it is one of the simple things spanners listed....sometimes it gets more complicated.

 

I don't have any extra rocker box gaskets right now, except rocker base gaskets so that will have to wait for the time being. It's definitely the base gasket because it's coming from the front, around to the push rod side, and corner on the other side. I'll stick my fingers behind the pushrod tube just in case though.

I've never been one to re-use gaskets, but could I re-use the rubber gaskets between the rocker boxes?

I'm going to go out there in another hour and clean the oil off, fire it up, let it warm up properly and see if it has any effect on the weep.

 

If they look good, sure.
I reuse certain gaskets on my own bike to save some bucks, if it leaks, I have no one to answer to.

 

Same here. Only on my own stuff but I do reuse. Learned it from racing. Valve cover gaskets last all year with pulling them Couple times a week. Good luck

 

If it weeps like it did last night, I'll pull all that crap off Sunday and go to town on it...

The man at James told me final torque value is anywhere from 38-42, and I stopped at 38.

About ready to pull my hair out over this bike. Thanks for the help guys.

 

I let it warm up longer, until the rear rocker box was hot to the touch, not the head, and took it easy for about 2-3 miles before riding it more normally. The weep is teeny tiny and barely noticeable now, especially once it warmed up. I will deal with it for now, and bump the torque on the heads up from 38 to 42 ft.lbs when I get back from Thunderbeach.


Thanks fellas. Don't know what I'd do without y'all!

 

Sorry to hear about the leak. Maybe you'll luck out and the retorque will seal it.

 

He obviously never read his own instruction sheet, its say 42 on the sheet that comes with the gasket set......