Found a couple of leaks today.....

[Stanley Steamer]

The Old Green Dragon has 80,123 miles on her and I changed the oil today..every 5,000ish miles with Mobil I -15w50......I had a couple of small spot of coolant dripping off of the left front timing cover....had the same thing happen 2-3 years ago when the bike sat under the carport in temps in the teens and 20's....back then I think I just tightened the lower radiator hose clamp where the hose attaches to the thermostat...I had to take the left pod off to get a swivel socket in there...tightened it up some, but it felt like the clamp wouldn't tighten down.....I hope it was enough to keep the little drips from coming back.....I also tightened the upper clamp where it comes off the fill cap on top.....the coolant reservoir was right at the top....I first noticed the leak the morning we left Joe's FCR....only seems to happen in the cold temps.....I guess the hose swells up when it's hot??...

While I was checking out that leak, I noticed where some oil was leaking from around the gear shifter where it comes off the engine... ....there was some dirt that had stuck to the oil spots...it never has leaked enough to fall onto the floor though...looks like I'll have to look up that link where it shows how to replace the seal once I get one....

I am making a list of parts to order soon....like the kickstand spring and bolt that it attaches to in case mine ever breaks off.....the seal for the gear shifter, new rear brake pads, more oil drain bolt washers, oil filters....etc etc....

Dang...the old Girl is starting to show her age some, but we've had some great times together....my next concern is to check on the universal joint and alternator....at least the bike's paid for now....I bought her just over 5 yrs ago with 29,000 miles on her....almost every mile has been a smile....almost...

[Thunderbolt]

I buy mine from Advance/Discount Auto in packs of 3 or 4 can't remember which.  I think they are 14mm.  You probably have an old one laying around, take it with you to the store.  They sell several different sizes. 

[Sodbuster]

Going thru the same scenario .... noticed some green drops off the front of the engine this evening. Looked like it was coming from around the hose connection up by the rad cap.   Just tightened it up a bit. It's a little colder up here and is pretty common for that to happen in the colder temps.  Oh, had to replace the same seal for shifter too.  Moved the bike to it's winter spot and ....OMG, a drop of oil on the floor.  Didn't take long to fix.

[Stanley Steamer]

Going thru the same scenario .... noticed some green drops off the front of the engine this evening. Looked like it was coming from around the hose connection up by the rad cap.   Just tightened it up a bit. It's a little colder up here and is pretty common for that to happen in the colder temps.  Oh, had to replace the same seal for shifter too.  Moved the bike to it's winter spot and ....OMG, a drop of oil on the floor.  Didn't take long to fix.

I'm going to order some other parts while I'm at it....but Daniel was nice enough to post his link to replacing it....

[X Ring]

HDL is running their sale on the stock parts side also.  If you can come up with $100 worth of parts, you can save 10%.  A couple of guys have posted the info on the General Board.

Marty

[Stanley Steamer]

HDL is running their sale on the stock parts side also.  If you can come up with $100 worth of parts, you can save 10%.  A couple of guys have posted the info on the General Board.

Marty

Thanks....I'm sure I can come up with a $100 in parts I need.....my most pressing financial obligation at the moment though, is to pay for the tags on my Valk, Kia, and landscape trailer...govt. bastages have to get their piece of the pie.....I guess since I work for the local Govt., I'm kinda paying myself a little??.....

I had wanted to ride to AL with Joe and crew, but I need to save that gas $ for my tags that are due next month.... ..wish I could win the lottery

[X Ring]

ALL your tags are due at the same time?    Man, am I glad mine are spread out.  

Marty

[Stanley Steamer]

ALL your tags are due at the same time?    Man, am I glad mine are spread out.  

Marty

Yes they are.....Kia will be ~$250...Valk ~$100+...trailer....~$25...got to be paid before my birthday on Feb 11th or they add on a late fee as a % of the total....azzholes!

[Scott from FL, now in Maine]

Wow Stanley! Same as me! Kia, Valk, trailer LOL all at once! 

[Chrisj CMA]

You better send that leaky creeky old worn out Valkyrie down here where us rednecks can fix it with duct tape and old beer cans.  We can extent its life at least for another 10 years.  cammo paint job, knobbie tires, gun racks and deer platform on the back.........its too old to run with the big dogs anymore dont ya think... 

[Stanley Steamer]

You better send that leaky creeky old worn out Valkyrie down here where us rednecks can fix it with duct tape and old beer cans.  We can extent its life at least for another 10 years.  cammo paint job, knobbie tires, gun racks and deer platform on the back.........its too old to run with the big dogs anymore dont ya think... 

Naw...I know she's got a LOT of life left in her....I am just getting lazier about having to get greasy maintaining her the older I get....

[Ricky-D]

Simply tightening the screw hose clamp a bit will work.

But not always!

The screw clamp is a delicate item and does not take to over-wrenching kindly, It will easily strip!

Probably the best way to tighten the screw clamp it to loosen it adequately so that it will rotate around the circumference of the hose and then lubricate the hose clamp amply with some oil.

This will allow the force to be equally distributed around the circumference of the hose and seal the connection with no more than the force that was originally supplied.

***

[valkyriemc]

  I did the shifter seal replacement a few months ago, no big deal to remove the old and replace with new, follow the instructions and just make sure you put the shifter back on its index mark.

  If you don't you can start off at seven am to meet your friend for a run to breakfast only to find out you cant shift out of first. Turn around, back to the garage lay on the ground, reposition shift lever, check shifting and then off you go...

[Sodbuster]

  I did the shifter seal replacement a few months ago, no big deal to remove the old and replace with new, follow the instructions and just make sure you put the shifter back on its index mark.

  If you don't you can start off at seven am to meet your friend for a run to breakfast only to find out you cant shift out of first. Turn around, back to the garage lay on the ground, reposition shift lever, check shifting and then off you go...

When I did mine a couple weeks ago I ended up using a sharpie marker as the index mark didn't line up with the slot in the shifter where I had it ....

[Stanley Steamer]

  I did the shifter seal replacement a few months ago, no big deal to remove the old and replace with new, follow the instructions and just make sure you put the shifter back on its index mark.

  If you don't you can start off at seven am to meet your friend for a run to breakfast only to find out you cant shift out of first. Turn around, back to the garage lay on the ground, reposition shift lever, check shifting and then off you go...

Yep...that's why I ALWAYS keep a black magic marker for just these type of cases...I bet you don't make that mistake twice....

[Grumpy]

Got the same thing, noticed a little 2 inch round damp place on the floor, antifreeze. Had the same thing last year, seems like the cold weather is when it happens.
Oh well, due for oil change and I plan the replace the steering bearings too. will drop the radiator and replace the clamps while I have it apart. Got to make sure everything
is up to snuff, planning on some long trips soon, couple weeks in the smokeys, and going to Inzane 10 also.