I think this probably sucks. I would have liked to get through the season without tearing into this thing.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure my front head gasket is leaking. The evidence is a distinctly oily presence on the associated fins. I still need to do a test with it running to see if I can hear/feel any blowby, but I'm thinking I've got troubles.

No idea how long its been like this.

My first question is: If I confirm a leak, am I done until I fix it, or can I run it this way for a while?

 

With a head gasket I would fix it ASAFP.

 

That's what I'm thinking.

Dammit. Really didn't want to do this right now.

 

If that is your only "evidence" it sounds like you have a rocker box leaking. Is it running bad? You need to check it by running a compression check. If it is just a rocker box leaking, you can run it like that as long you want...just keep an eye on the oil level....you will get tired of the mess long before it gets bad enough to cause any real problems.

 

It took me about 4 hours to do a top end gasket set on a friends bike.

 

This is a crummy cell phone photo, but it gives you an idea what I'm working with.

Think its stuffed?

 

Bike runs great. I've got a buddy with a compression tester heading over later.

Yeah, but I've got a bunch as "might as wells" and "as long as I'm at its" in mind here...

 

Let the good times roll!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

That does not look like a blown head gasket to me, no sign of torching heat. That looks like a seaping oil leak in the head gasket.
Leak down test. If it turn up good run it.

 

if you can lock the rear wheel still you can get the motor on the TDC spot of that cylinder and take compressed air adapt an airchuck fitting to and old sparkplug - weld it on if you have too - and pressure the weeping cylinder - with dish washing soap ( dawn or ) in a spray bottle soak the area - 120 pounds of air on that gasket if its leaking you will see bubbles