What the crud? What's all this?

**Tigadee** · 28th January 2012, 22:45

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** · 28th January 2012, 23:00

Originally Posted by Tigadee

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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** · 28th January 2012, 23:05

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

**Tigadee** · 28th January 2012, 23:34

Originally Posted by FJRider

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

Ah, thanks. Good to know...

Originally Posted by FJRider

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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.

Originally Posted by FJRider

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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!

Originally Posted by nzspokes

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

Thanks.

**pete376403** · 29th January 2012, 00:42

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

**Sable** · 29th January 2012, 03:54

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** · 29th January 2012, 07:38

Originally Posted by pete376403

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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** · 29th January 2012, 09:22

Originally Posted by pete376403

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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** · 29th January 2012, 11:36

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** · 29th January 2012, 11:47

Originally Posted by pete376403

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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** · 29th January 2012, 12:09

Originally Posted by Tigadee

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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 ...

**ducatilover** · 29th January 2012, 12:22

Originally Posted by Tigadee

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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** · 29th January 2012, 12:42

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** · 29th January 2012, 13:16

UPDATE

Engine oil level: My bad, misread it and over-filled

, 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...