One last ride with oil leak, or don't chance it; what would YOU do?

[brider]

As it always seems to happen (some mechanical issue to consider before a long ride), I have a sudden opportunity to take a ride in awesome weather from CT to Maine this weekend, but....the Cal II has an oil leak in the left-cyl head feed line that has gotten a bit worse of late. It's been leaking for a good 5-10k miles, evidenced by the constant oil sheen on that side of the engine and carb. I never held this bike (engine cleanliness-wise) to the standards of a Honda, so I lived with it. But after starting anew with a clean engine after having recently put it the timing cover back on, I actually saw a drip where the line to the cylinder is crimped to the banjo at the top of the engine case, after a week or so of riding.

Now, after a 30-mi trip down the slab, I've pulled off and had oil drip onto the header and start smoking. This may have been a random drip; I made it home fine with no other issues, and there is no puddle on the garage floor, but the leak IS getting worse.

SO! Would YOU hop aboard and take a glorious 400-mi round-trip with this condition, or would you take the safe route, and leave it in the garage and drive the 12-yr old minivan?

[oldbike54]

 Yes , just leave the keys to the minivan with someone who will perform a rescue .

 Dusty

[Ncdan]

Take a chance, Columbus did;)

[Red Dog]

In my younger days I was more adventorus (can't spell)  & would have gone but now well what the hey I'd go

[oldbike54]

Take a chance, Columbus did;)

 Not a good example , that poor bastage thought he had found India 

 Dusty

[brider]

Yes , just leave the keys to the minivan with someone who will perform a rescue .

 Dusty

HA! That's a good one! I vowed NEVER to call my wife again when the Guzzi broke down. I would rather walk the 200 miles back home. I think the decision hinges on whether or not I think the oil line is in danger of a catastrophic failure. I don't think it is.

[Triple Jim]

Have you taken a close look to see exactly what's leaking?

[Scud]

If it's a little leak, I'd probably go for it. Then the question is - what sort of stuff should you bring along to make sure you will not need the stuff you bring along?

1/2 quart of oil
Tools
Towels
Gasket maker/sealant
etc.

That being said - you also have to look at where the oil's going. If it's getting blown back onto the rear tire, I'd take the minivan.

[old as dirt 2]

so you haven't cared in the last 5-10k, why start now. Run it. carry a qt to top off if needed.

[PJPR01]

Two scenarios: 

1.  Spend 3 hours and fix it

OR

2.  Don't fix it...have an adventure and do a ride report with pics here to share!

Either way...it will be better than driving the mini-van!

 

[Tom]

Brider....sounds like an easy fix.  Did you try tightening up the bolt first?  It might be loose.  Take bolt out wipe all surfaces off including crush washers and reinstall with proper torque.  Clean off oil line and start engine to see if that was the leak or the line.

[normzone]

While the advice to fix it is all good, and that's probably what I would do, here is a low effort alternative.

Take it to the car wash, spray off all the gunk, ride it home.

Take a look at what has leaked since you washed it. If it's not bad, stick a rag in there and go riding.

 

[pete roper]

It's been leaking for a while. You haven't bothered to fix it, (The oil lines, especially the now ancient originals are crappy.) and now ask others for advice? Why? So if you do go for a ride and the hose fails catastrophically, (A quite likely scenario, as stated the original crimped hoses are shite and yours are now decades old.) you can blame someone else?

Replace the damn hoses. Do it when the engine is cold and use new crush washers.

Or don't.

Your choice.

Pete

[Tom]

As advised.  Clean and locate exact leakage point.  Repair.  Doesn't involve a lot of time for the oil lines.  If oem oil lines, you're way overdue for an R/R.

[johnr]

Take a chance, Columbus did;)

Trivia... 
Delightful quip but I don't think he took too much of a chance. It is believed he was able to give the maps of Admiral Piri Reis  a good eyeballing before he left.

[johnr]

Two scenarios: 

1.  Spend 3 hours and fix it ....have an adventure and do a ride report with pics here to share!


OR

2.  Don't fix it...have an adventure and do a ride report with pics here to share!

Either way...it will be better than driving the mini-van!

 

Fixed it for you.

[TOMB]

If you were already on a trip and this happened what would do?
Then do it/that
TOMB

[oldbike54]

Trivia... 
Delightful quip but I don't think he took too much of a chance. It is believed he was able to give the maps of Admiral Piri Reis  a good eyeballing before he left.

 So this Reis fella was confused also ??

 Dusty

[guzzitime]

Maybe a little heat shrink wrap to tide you over?

[MariusD]

so you haven't cared in the last 5-10k, why start now. Run it. carry a qt to top off if needed.

What he said!

I mean... what's 400 miles? Like 2 tanks of gas on that bike?!

Dude.... Top off the oil and scoot on out...

And maybe bring a 1/2 quart if you're REALLY that worried.

There'll be plenty of cold nites to fix it when it's no longer riding season...

[v7john]

Just fix it.

I've had an oil feed pipe let go in the past. The oil is under pressure and squirted out when the line failed but, unlike you, I had no warning. It happened 3 miles short of the dealers I was visiting to buy a copy of Guzziology. They came and got me, cleaned the bike and fitted a new hose. I wouldn't have wanted this to happen on a wet, dark night out in the countryside.

[John A]

You would be wise to take Petes advise. Those old oil lines can be just pulled apart, they are junk. If you cannot go on the ride because you've neglected your machine, that's the price of neglect. When one of those lines pops off it will stop you.

[chuck peterson]

Have I told you about the time my ancient line burst, north of Berlin, Me?

Three quarts pumped onto the rear everything, amazing I did not die in the corners...riding last in the group, no one could scream at me to stop.

Seized motor with no oil on the side of the road with eight gazillion black flies...friend road north 20 miles and found a hydraulic hose shop for bulldozers, jury rigged a new line, three quarts added and prayers

Drove it back to the campground in Twin Mt, NH, at 25 mph, rented a uhaul to get home

New rings, shell bearings, all gaskets, crocus cloth on the crank...ran like stink another 30k, oh and the proper expensive bullet proof oil line...

And a feeling I had let my best friend down....

Your choice, eh? Just thought I'd let you know what happened to me....sorry.

[Chuck in Indiana]

You would be wise to take Petes advise. Those old oil lines can be just pulled apart, they are junk. If you cannot go on the ride because you've neglected your machine, that's the price of neglect. When one of those lines pops off it will stop you.

This. Of course I'm an airplane mechanic, but I can't imagine *not* fixing something that will leave you standing by the side of the road when (not if) it fails. What's it take? An hour? 

Let me mention again that the crimped fuel crossover lines are junk, too, and need to be replaced by dual banjos. Don't ask me how I know.

[ohiorider]

Does the junk classification also hold true for the oil lines on the CARC series bikes?

[blackcat]

Does the junk classification also hold true for the oil lines on the CARC series bikes?

No.

[OlDogface]

My vote goes to the "fix it now" side of the ledger.

[blackcat]

Order some aftermarket stainless steel lines from your favorite aftermarket supplier, and slap some JB Weld over that crimped fitting. May work, may not. Not, is not fun.

[Huzo]

Your gunna fix it at some point which will take a certain amount of time so what's the difference when you spend the time ? You've spent half that time already discussing it. What Roper says is spot on (again). What will you do if it blows and you don't notice immediately, what is going to blow up ? (Ask Pete or similar), no on second thought, ask Pete now. It's like going to a ball with your beautiful wife and she needs a haircut, do you just take her and hope no one notices or just get the poor bugger the haircut...the fact that you're asking  means you know the answer, and you just won't enjoy the trip as much anyway, would you go for a ride with a permanently runny nose leaking into your helmet? Just bloody well fix it. Ps enjoy your ride....

[Huzo]

Have I told you about the time my ancient line burst, north of Berlin, Me?

Three quarts pumped onto the rear everything, amazing I did not die in the corners...riding last in the group, no one could scream at me to stop.

And a feeling I had let my best friend down....

This bloke and Roper nailed it, most of the rest is B S...