Triumphrat

GCA · 07-02-2007

I noticed a few drops of oily looking stuff under my bike this weekend, so I started investigating- the fluid itself was a sort of brown and black, so I was reluctant to immediately identify it as either oil or chain gunk. I cleaned everything up and worked to isolate the problem, and it appears that whatever it is is NOT coming from the filter, front sprocket, or the oil pressure sending unit.

After a cleaning and then a ride, it seems like most of it is collecting on or around the two cables that run under the bike along the frame (on the right). The fluid is sitting on the point where those cables turn upwards just by the front sprocket.

For now I'm adopting a wait and see attitude, but I'm thinking that my chain is just throwing a lot of stuff off right now- maybe I got a little too much lube on it last time. In fact, I first noticed the issue immediately after washing the bike, and lubing the chain. The thing that's concerning me is that it's still coming off, even a couple of days later. Is there another spot where oil could be leaking besides the places I checked?

BlueJ · 07-02-2007

Could be a little residual cosmolene melting off - if so, it will be done after a few rides.

GCA · 07-02-2007

Not sure about cosmolene, I have about 2000 miles on the bike and would have thought that it had all burned off by now?

CAPTDON · 07-02-2007

Cosmolene is like candle wax. It will melt & travel till it falls off. I had some still comming off till year #2. Milage isnt a factor- time is. Give it time & see? :???:

GCA · 07-02-2007

Actually, disregard all of that.

Turns out that it's a little leak at the countersprocket gasket. I happened to be looking right at it as a drop of oil welled up and fell. Looks like I'm calling the dealer.

Thanks though in the meantime.

merlin · 07-02-2007

If you're describing the tranny output shaft I've got the same problem too. Parts are on order. In case there is any question , there is absolutely no doubt that the job is easy for the dealer (I won't do it myself, but that's me) - I was quoted parts and one hour labor. They just yank the seal from the outside and put the new one in.. there are actually 3 or four parts involved, about $35 bucks.
2000 miles seems early for this sort of problem. My issue at 16,000 seems early - They are going to ask you if you keep your chain too tight (stresses the front sprocket and so the shaft.)
Should be a warrante issue, eh?

straycat · 07-03-2007

Had the same oil leak problem at about 1000ks ,[ sprocket shaft oil seal ] . fixed under warranty,not been a problem since.

GCA · 07-03-2007

Thanks everyone.

I'm set up to see the dealer next week, but I did notice one complication. I checked the torque on the bolts holding the cover on, just to see if they were to spec, and one of them was turning loose. I pulled that bolt, and while the thread was fine on the bolt itself, a few turns of the internal threading came out with it.

So I made sure the other 4 bolts were tight and put the 5th back in. There's enough thread left to hold it in place, but it won't tighten down fully.

Now I'm wondering just how much of a problem this is going to be. What'll the dealer have to do to fix that?

straycat · 07-03-2007

A heli-coil is an easy fix for stripped threads.The damaged thread is drilled out a new thread is tapped ,the heli-coil (a metal insert with a thread on the inside that is the same as the original thread ,looks like a coil spring )is then screwed into this new thread and locked in place,job done.It would not do any harm to get your dealers opinion though.

jcline8 · 07-03-2007

I am having the same problem at 5500 miles and had actually just posted the same question before I started reading today's posts.