What the crud? What's all this?

[Tigadee]

I was just getting the user manual and tool set out of the left side storage compartment under the seat when I noticed some crud [not 'crude'] on the frame/strut of the Venox...

Looks like engine oil leaking out? I've noticed that when I try to put the Venox into 1st gear first time after starting, it always kills the engine. Once I start moving there's no repeat, so I always assumed it was a matter of not warming up the engine enough. But does that have more to do with this?

I checked engine oil level and it was empty or near empty [below the minimum]. I had a 2 litre bottle of oil on hand and after emptying the bottle, the oil level was still only halfway on the window.

[FJRider]

I was just getting the user manual and tool set out of the left side storage compartment un the seat when I noticed some crude on the frame/strut of the Venox...

Looks like engine oil leaking out? I've noticed that when I try to put the Venox into 1st gear first time after starting, it always kills the engine. Once I start moving there's no repeat, so I always assumed it was a matter of not warming up the engine enough. But does that have more to do with this?

I checked engine oil level and it was empty or near empty [below the minimum]. I had a 2 litre bottle of oil on hand and after emptying the bottle, the oil level was still only halfway on the window.

The starting issue is more likely clutch adjustment needed ...

Looks like the seal has gone around the gear (change) shaft ... ??? and yes that will be engine oil.

Was the oil level checked when the bike was held upright on it's wheels ... ??? On (in) the case casting is the amount of oil (max) it should take. Halfway up the window is usually normal ...

[nzspokes]

Yeah, dont check the oil when its on the side stand.

[Tigadee]

The starting issue is more likely clutch adjustment needed ...

Ah, thanks. Good to know...


Looks like the seal has gone around the gear (change) shaft ... ??? and yes that will be engine oil.

Oh dear... The oil seems to come out from a few places around the gear shaft as well though, or is it just splatter? See attached enlargement.


Was the oil level checked when the bike was held upright on it's wheels ... ??? On (in) the case casting is the amount of oil (max) it should take. Halfway up the window is usually normal ...

Oh, okay... I tried my bes to set the bike upright and now the oil is at halfway mark. Let's see how long it stays there!:blink:


Yeah, dont check the oil when its on the side stand.

Thanks.

[pete376403]

Chain oil being thrown off around the front sprocket? (if bike is shaft drive then, not applicable)

[Sable]

Take it to someone who knows what they're looking at. Internet diagnostics suck. And engine oil is a looong way removed from crude oil fyi. :)

[nzspokes]

Chain oil being thrown off around the front sprocket? (if bike is shaft drive then, not applicable)

Good point. Mine looks like that when using wet lube on the chain.

[paturoa]

Chain oil being thrown off around the front sprocket? (if bike is shaft drive then, not applicable)

+1 for that - chain can be seen in pic 6.

[Tigadee]

:shit:That's a heck of a lot of chain lube being thrown out!

I'll do some clean up and see. Thanks all, will update soon.

[scumdog]

Chain oil being thrown off around the front sprocket? (if bike is shaft drive then, not applicable)


In the pic it has the 'goopy' appearance of chain oil, bit hard test while siting behind my keyboard though.

[FJRider]

:shit:That's a heck of a lot of chain lube being thrown out!

I'll do some clean up and see. Thanks all, will update soon.

Give the engine AND chain a good clean with a mild detergent and warm water ... mark the engine oil level on the sight-glass window. Then take it for a ride. 5-10 kms should indicate if the oil is from the engine ...

A good cleaning of a bike is a good way to find/see little problems ... before they become BIG problems ... :sunny:

[ducatilover]

:shit:That's a heck of a lot of chain lube being thrown out!

I'll do some clean up and see. Thanks all, will update soon.

You should have seen the state of my 600 under there.

It may be seeping from the rubber there, but all bikes with wet lube (giggity) will get shit in and around there.

Keep an eye on that oil level too, if it gets too low, smash the bike with a hammer

[Drew]

Yep, that's chain lube. It does look quite metalic, so whip the sprocket cover off and check that all is well under there.

And switch to chain wax. If you've got an O ring chain, then the lube is only really used to stop the seal rings from drying out.

[Tigadee]

UPDATE

Engine oil level: My bad, misread it and over-filled :facepalm:, which means it was not low in the first place. Have now drained the excess oil and it's all good. I'll need to get some 5 50W engine oil as I used a bottle of 10 40W to over-fill and now it's mixed. Is that bad?

Crud: Does seem to be chain lube, but am very surprised by how much there is. Have cleaned off as much as I can and we shall see. I've got someone visiting in a short while so I can only take the bike for a ride later.

Will report back on if any more 'chain lube' [or whatever it is] appears - hope it's nothing major like the sprocket...

[Tigadee]

And engine oil is a looong way removed from crude oil fyi. :)

:laugh:Pardon my Swahili - I meant 'crud', not crude...

[Tigadee]

FURTHER UPDATE

After a 8 km ride, there appears to be NO fresh crud. Hopefully it stays that way!

Was it just excessive chain lube applied before delivery of the bike? 'Cos I have not applied any since I got the bike a month ago...

[James Deuce]

You should be cleaning and lubing your chain on a regular basis. There's no such thing as an over-lubed chain, just an over-intensive cleaning job. A well cared for chain will last a long time. I've seen people look at me like I'm mad when I say I expect 35-40,000km out of a chain and sprocket set minimum. I know people who get 80,000km out of chain and sprockets.

[Tigadee]

OK, will do. When you say clean, do you mean completely degrease and then re-lube? Or just rub off old lube and then apply new?

[James Deuce]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNSGEzbDxKY&feature=related (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/motorcycle-chain-cleaner/)

That will give you an idea of the process.

Good idea to remove the front sprocket cover from time to time and clean all the gunge out.

Don't use WD-40 or CRC 5.56 to clean your chain if you are using an O, X, or Z-ring chain. It won't lube the seals resulting in them failing sooner rather than later, and letting out the grease lubricating the rollers internally.

[FJRider]

Good idea to remove the front sprocket cover from time to time and clean all the gunge out.

And ... check oil levels a little more often ...

[Flip]

Don't use a degreaser on a chain, it fucks the oils ability to lubricate, lets water into the chain links and damages most O ring materials.

The ammount of gunk looks about right to me, its a good sign the bike has been looked after.

All commercially available automotive motor oils are mixable, you would not mix say old 30W40 with Mobil 1 and expect the mix to perform as well as Mobil 1. You would however do it in an emergency. Its a requirement of SAE that all off the shelf oils can be mixed together. Castrol R was an excption as it was caster oil ie vegetable based but it was a specialist racing oil and not off the shelf.

[Owl]

There's no such thing as an over-lubed chain

As long as the excess is removed! Mrs rode her Bonneville home after its first service, only to find oil dripping from the front sprocket cover and oil splattered all over the rear tyre.:facepalm:

I totally agree with chain life, as I've just replaced my OEM at 46,000km. Chain and sprockets were actually in good condition, however the joining link was flogged out (chain split during earlier service) and had damaged the adjoining links.