Won't get fooled again...

right.
OK, so I thought I had developed a base gasket leak (minor) on the '81 since I had started running it hard on the expressway. Little weep, coming from the RIGHT rear of the cylinder base at the crankcase. Wipe away, back after two-three days no biggie.

WRONG.

As in WRONG. WAY OFF. Not even CLOSE!
So, getting ready to wake it up for spring. Pushed the project bike to the back of the garage, started working on the white bike. Shoved a couple of paper shop towels between the bottoms of the carbs and the heat shield (a Seca curse) and cracked the drain screws to let any settled FOD out of the carbs. Tightened the screws back up and...
wait. WHAZZIS??? #2 is dripping gas. ??? No apparent issues last season... No gas in the oil, no driveability issues, wtf???
Flashlight, begin poking about on the LEFT side below and in front of the carbs, what the? Yellowy gas/dirt residue on rear of engine block, and look-- it ran down the left side too but between the alternator and the crankcase where I didn't see it. SONOFABEATCH!

Turns out #2 carb has a loose float bowl, I can JUST wiggle it. It's been peeing gas but only sometimes, and with a properly operating (almost, it is "lazy" sometimes) petcock I never noticed it, since I don't use "PRI" much. The leaked gas has been "cleaning" the back of the motor, dissolving any oil/dirt/residue which was then also dribbling down the RIGHT after migrating over along the base gasket joint, fooling the old guy.
NO base gasket leak: #2 carb float bowl leak, on the other side of the bike.

Lesson: ASSUME NOTHING. Look carefully but be aware that what you are looking for (and AT) may NOT be what you really are looking for (or AT.) Now I gotta yank the blasted rack, which is still easier than pulling the cylinders off. But it was running so sweetly last fall...

 

Ouch! Bummer. But that's a good tip for newbies like me.

Hopefully you can have it back together before you miss too many riding days.

mikeg

 

Here's a tip for finding leaks like oil, tranny, and so on. Use a deodorant spray like arrid extra dry or similar. The white dry spray will show the trail of the leak so you can follow it to the source.

 

Fitz wow now I have to go check mine . Good thing you didn't go BOOM

At least you tracked it down.

Dave interesting tip - I'll have to remember that one.

 

and it'll smell good!

 

LOL yea just make sure you dont use the stuff PH balanced for women ... you might end up attracting the wrong crowd... LOL

you forgot the other good saying

Admit nothing, deny everything and commence counter accusations.