Found a couple of leaks today.....8-(

[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 spots 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  level 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...

[Daniel Meyer]

She's not even broke in yet.

Ride 'em hard. Fix 'em when they break.

http://lifeisaroad.com/valkshiftseal.html

[Stanley Steamer]

She's not even broke in yet.

Ride 'em hard. Fix 'em when they break.

http://lifeisaroad.com/valkshiftseal.html

Thanks Daniel....I knew I had seen a link to replacing this seal somewhere...looks easy enough, but darn it, I'll still have to get a little dirty to replace it!!.....Thanks...

[Pete]

Hose connections that connect to aluminum will sometimes DRIP in very cold weather have small drips.

Factors that seem to be common are:

Older connections where the rubber may have lost some of its recovery capability.
The constant cold to hot to cold cycle compresses and releases the rubber and eventually the clamp becomes a little loose.
Tightening it helps and then the cycle starts over with less recovery being possible, eventually it will usually drip again. Tighten and the cycle starts over and over and over.........

Eventually the hose needs to be replaced.

Aluminum seems to be the worst offender since it expands and contracts more than steel, but even steel will do it.

Really just a maintenance item, hoses need to be replaced over time.

Good luck, Pete

[X Ring]

Good God Steamer.  Are you a post whore!!  You started this same thread in Tech.  You scared evryone won't see it over there?  I left you a response there by the way.  HDL is running a sale on the stock parts site.  You find a couple of threads here with the infor.

Marty

[Stanley Steamer]

Good God Steamer.  Are you a post whore!!  You started this same thread in Tech.  You scared evryone won't see it over there?  I left you a response there by the way.  HDL is running a sale on the stock parts site.  You find a couple of threads here with the infor.

Marty

Different crowd here.....and there...and in VRF.... ....I have a parts list together...just need to rake up the $$ for it.....

[Chrisj CMA]

OH PLEEEEEEEEEEZE!!!!!!!!!  "Showng AGE" Stanely Stanely Stanely..........two very common MINOR things and you diss the ol gal.  Shame on you!  pop a new shift seal in there and tighten that hose again....maybe spring for a new clamp if it dont break ya......and quit the drama 

Seriously theres nothing wrong, these happen to even much younger bikes.....and will probably happen to all valkyries sooner or later...........just fix it

[alph]

i'd list it for sale, and then buy yourself a good quality milwaukee bike, those never leak you know!

seriously, replace the hoses, get a wire brush and clean around the pipes real good.  there are three hoses, one upper and two lower. 

i had a leak on my thermostat housing, it also dripped down to the lower hose driving me nuts!!!  i only noticed it when it was hot.

[Stanley Steamer]

i'd list it for sale, and then buy yourself a good quality milwaukee bike, those never leak you know!

seriously, replace the hoses, get a wire brush and clean around the pipes real good.  there are three hoses, one upper and two lower. 

i had a leak on my thermostat housing, it also dripped down to the lower hose driving me nuts!!!  i only noticed it when it was hot.

I didn't see any drips on it this morning.....hope that tightening did the trick...I'd HATEEEEEE to have to change radiator hoses on her....they are HARD to get to....