2014 V7 Head Gasket leaking

[mr_pacman]

I've noticed a bit of oil on the fins of both sides of my 2014 V7 racer.  I've looked all over the bike and can't see where it could be coming from, so I'm suspecting it may be coming from the head gaskets. I bought the bike used and not sure if they were re-torqued at the correct intervals. 

Looking at the parts manual, I've figured out the head gasket part numbers but wondering if I should be ordering any other parts along with it like studs, bolts etc?

With my luck, the oil will be from a totally different source but figure I should at least order the parts now so I have them handy.

thanks
James

[Dirk_S]

I can’t see why the studs would ever need to be replaced, but I’m not a mechanic. I’d just get a set of valve cover, head, and base gaskets, maybe also order a pair of those lil’ o-rings for the oil passages at the base. But I’d try retorquing the cylinders/heads and rocker covers first before installing new gaskets.

[Pescatore]

I had the same problem on a V65.
I cleaned up the engine really well first.  Then  I shoved a small towel where the head gasket is to prove to myself where oil was coming from.
I rode like that a whole summer and did the work in the winter.
I found some corrosion and had to resurface the head, but it was a 30yr old bike.

If you can manage not to break the seal at the base, then it's a quick fix.
Otherwise, more gasket scraping ahead.

I would look at the parts catalog, but Dirk listed them all.
Opportunity to check the valves for leaks and clean up any soot.

[FarmallA]

When I was looking over my Mongrel Monza (with a V65 motor) before purchase, the seller pointed out oil on the right cylinder, and said he couldn’t figure out where it was coming from. I bought it anyway, and when I checked the valves, I found the rocker cover gasket had one corner folded over itself. New gaskets fixed that. (I also found an interesting assortment of rocker locknut sizes)

Pescatore, it might be worth a few minutes to examine the rocker covers before sending off for head gaskets and such. 

Also check any breather hoses aren’t the leak.

FarmallA
Steve

[Vagrant]

Before you waste your $, break the head bolts loose and retorque them. I think it was 18# on the small and 32# on the large. I went to 19 and 35 and the leak stopped.

[sign216]

I think Richardson in the book Guzziology spoke about fixing the the head gasket leak in the first version of V7.  It might apply here.