Leak on front of GS?

[jason70360]

I noticed on the back of the front fender I have a sticky fluid stain. After closer inspection, it looks as though its one of two things.

Behind the front shock there is a black plastic panel and at the top of it there is a slotted section in the plastic. Either I am leaking something from that, which may be some kind of over flow, OR my front shock is leaking somehow.

Now since my shocks have been changed to Ohlins, I sure hope its not the shock. I would have to pay someone to remove the shock then lay the bike up until it comes back and still hope they warranty it since I am not the original buyer.

Anyone got any ideas? The fluid looks more clear than engine oil, but does have its feel on the finger.

Need some help fellow pig owners...........qwer

[nickatnite]

Behind the front shock there is a black plastic panel and at the top of it there is a slotted section in the plastic. Either I am leaking something from that, which may be some kind of over flow, OR my front shock is leaking somehow.


As in Item # 7 on this diagram?

http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/DiagramsMid/B0004162.png

That is the front cover for the timing chain housing.

[jason70360]

Yes, I believe so but my cover has slots above the emblem that are not shown on this diagram.

Tomorrow I will clean the area and fender really well and take it for a short ride. Hopefully I will be able to see where it is coming from.

Any thoughts?

[Ritten]

How is your oil level? Make sure it's not too high as it's really easy to over fill the boxer twins. I have no idea where the drain for the airbox is, but I've heard of guys having a fair bit of oil in there. Just keep an eye on the oil level as you ride over time....if that's not moving much, don't worry about it.

Check your brake lines and look for leaks, although if you have good brake pressure in the lever you should be ok and you don't have to worry about it.

Since the fluid is clear, and not eating the plastic, it sounds like it's shock oil to me IF it's not something you picked up on the road. Do NOT pay somebody to remove the shock....if you can turn a ratchet then you can figure out how to remove it yourself, and if you still think you can't do it, then you can pay me the $70 an hour to do it for you. haha. I've still got my stock front shock you can use if you feel you'll be riding that much during the few weeks that it's being rebuilt. If it's your shock that's leaking, ride it till the suspension starts feeling spongy and then ship it off to get worked on. Until it does, then just ride the bike and don't worry about it.


Those are the only three fluids on the bike that it could be and none of them threaten the life of your bike or engine as long as you keep an eye on your levels. I think your bike was just sitting up too long and got pissed for being stuck in the garage.

[jason70360]

I think your bike was just sitting up too long and got pissed for being stuck in the garage.

Yeah, you're probably right.

I know I shouldn't trust the dealer for doing things correctly but I haven't checked the oil level since my last change coming back from Maine.

After a closer inspection at lunch, there is NO oil ABOVE the vents on the center of the timing cover. Either it is coming directly from there (don't know how, isn't that sealed off from engine oil) or it got splashed onto the cover.

Like I said, this afternoon I will clean the fender and cover really well. I plan on taking it to work the rest of the week to see what happens.

It is hard to tell about the spungyness of the shock, being that I never got to ride it stock. And it is night and day from the 954 even with a good shock. Also with my little ass on it, it aint working hard.

I'll hand over the keys if you want to ride it and see what you think.qwer

[Ritten]

When I blew the rear shock out of my 12GS it was OBVIOUS. It was like riding a pogo stick. Until it starts affecting your riding, I wouldn't worry about it. You pretty much answered your own predicament. Clean it up and see if you can tell where it may start from again if it does.

[Bayou Boy]

When I blew the rear shock out of my 12GS it was OBVIOUS. It was like riding a pogo stick. Until it starts affecting your riding, I wouldn't worry about it. You pretty much answered your own predicament. Clean it up and see if you can tell where it may start from again if it does.

This is true. I was behind Ted when we had to ride from Mississippi to Heberts on a Saturday morning with his shock blown. He had to stand up around curves and ride that bike like a jetski through the waves. It was all over the place. You'll know if the shock is really going out. Especially on the front.

[jason70360]

Well I cleaned it up and put about 10 miles on it last night, from my house to the gym and Lowes then back home.

There is a very small amount of fluid on the rear of the fender again and the same on the timing cover.

I am thinking after looking at it this time that it must have come from the shock. Before there was alot of the stuff, more than likely built up from the trip from Maine.

So my question is, "If in 2,000 miles a tablespoon amount of oil leaked from the front shock how long until I will need to have it rebuilt?"

Should we start a poll with mileage, take entry fees and donate the funds to a charity (like the rebuild)!

Oh yeah, and now I'm up to 2 plugs in the rear tire. Gotta love the clean roads in LA!

[Bayou Boy]

I don't know how much fluid is in a small shock like that but it can't be much. 2 cups at the most. Probably closer to 1 cup.

[Ritten]

I don't know how much fluid is in a small shock like that but it can't be much. 2 cups at the most. Probably closer to 1 cup.

I'd say even less than that. Jason, bring your bike up to the DSRL wrenching day on the 15th and we'll pull the front shock and replace it with a stock one while it's being repaired. In the meanwhile you can get with one of the Ohlin's repair centers and see about having the seals replaced....under warranty if you still have the paperwork. In the meanwhile, just ride the bike till you feel like the front end is turning into a pogo stick.

[jason70360]

I'd say even less than that. Jason, bring your bike up to the DSRL wrenching day on the 15th and we'll pull the front shock and replace it with a stock one while it's being repaired. In the meanwhile you can get with one of the Ohlin's repair centers and see about having the seals replaced....under warranty if you still have the paperwork. In the meanwhile, just ride the bike till you feel like the front end is turning into a pogo stick.

Sounds like a plan......see yall there. I'll bring the stock front shock.