[bruin]

Hi lads

Don't know how to include a pic in a post so you can check out some photos here;

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~randmkinane/bonny-oil.htm

Have any of you experienced this type of leak around your front sprocket? Do I have a problem?

I have done about 4000 km, and noticed this leak at around 3000, soon after I had performed my first oil change. Could this be oil from the engine?

Once again, grateful for any advice.

Cheers.

 

[Farnham1]

I had this when I was over generous on the chain lube, hope its not a leak.

 

[steviek]

I get that, but it's just chain lube, not oil. I use the gel type of lube so that it doesn't spatter around as much, which makes it easy to tell when I run a finger across the little stain - it's sticky and gloopy lube on mine, not engine oil. It doesn't bother me so I've not even tightened up the sprocket cover.

Having said that, I get just one little drip of it, not the big stain I can see in your piccies, so you should take the bike back to the dealer to have it checked. Don't panic, though - it's more than likely just chain lube.

 

[DesertRunner]

Bruin,

I agree with steviek. If it feels "slick" it's oil. If it feels sticky, it's probably chain lube. There was chain lube seeping around my sprocket cover when I first looked at that area but it had the sticky feel of chain lube and it cleaned up nicely with S100. Ensure that your engine oil level is within the guidline of the manual. If you overfill it, oil may coming out of the seal sue to expansion. Alwaye remember this saying when it comes to chains: Adjust cold, Lube Hot. I lube my cahin after a ride and use a rag to wipe off the exess lube, hope this helps.

DesertRunner

 

[Brooksie]

Leaks around the countershaft sprocket are not too abnormal on older bikes. I would be surprised if it is an unseated seal. Pull the cover and clean it down. Check oil levels. If it keeps leaking that motor oil, time to get her in.

 

[Soccermasta]

I just had to clean that up on my Bonni last Friday. It looks exactly the same. I would say that is chain lube. I know mine was because I had just cleaned and lubed the chain the weekend before. This never appeared until after I lubed the chain. I must have gotten a little extra on there.

 

[bgaz]

My seal leaked at 3000 miles. I removed it, as a seal its not impressive, but since it looked ok, I reinstalled it using sealant on the outer edge.
Under the seal is a sealed bearing, I put sealant around the outside of the bearing, just to stop big amounts of oil from getting to the outer seal. I also tightened up all the bolts in the area, and no more leaks for the last 1000 miles.

I did order a new seal, and its still on the shelf.

Brett

 

[Mancha]

I had the same thing. I took off the cover, cleaned it up, replaced the cover, and it's not come back. I assume it was either collected chain gunk, or possibly even an oil leak. If the latter, it may be the case that the oil was overfilled and needed to work some out.

 

[DrPat]

hey guys, it's definitely chain oil fling-off that's accumulated under the countershaft sprocket cover and liquified and run out a bit when the engine gets warm. Just wipe it off, there's no harm in it. (probably worse if you don't get it - chain might be too dry...)
cheers Pat

 

[doctorjay]

I agree with DrPat...my experience is that it happened to me after spraying lube on my chain without cleaning first...now I start by spraying WD40 and rubbing the chain down with a ragwhile the chain is warm, then spray with good chain lube that I got from newbonneville.com and wipe excess off...let soak in for 1 hour then ride....

 

[bruin]

This maybe a stupid response, but my chain lube I use is not black. However the oil around the sprocket is. I did just apply a generous amount of chain lube before my last ride. Also, when I did my oil change at 3000 km I did overfill it by maybe .2 of a litre.

Thanks for all your responses.

 

[kliff]

Are those streams, shown in the pics, liquid and flowing, or more grease like and tacky???

 

[bruin]

kliff, they are greasy and tacky, not flowing at all.

 

[kliff]

That's not really consistant with what an oil leak in that area would look like.
Have you used any WD40 or kerosene to clean the chain lately?
Or have any solvents been used in that area, that might have partially dissolved some chain lube?

 

[bruin]

I normally use kero to clean the chain before I put the lube on.

 

[kliff]

Had you cleaned and lubed the chain, prior to riding?
Maybe some residual from the kerosene, loosenned(sp) some old chain lube/gunk/build-up in the sprocket cover...

 

[GeoDiablo]

my chain lube I use is not black… I did just apply a generous amount of chain lube before m

It may not go on black, but it turns that way in a hurry. Rub some between your fingers, it's chain lube. Not to worry.

 

[bgaz]

In my case, I dont lube my chain a lot, and my bike was leaking oil at the seal, and it was dripping on the ground and spraying on the bike as well.
The oil was not overfilled, actualy slightly underfilled.

My problem was the seal leaking around the outside, not where the shaft comes out.

Brett

 

[wonderdog]

The leak in the picture is exactly like mine. Mine is due to using too much Chain Wax and not cleaning the chain. When I tried to wipe off the funk it wouldn't. Its waxy funky buildup on mine. Rear wheel is nasty, but manage to clean it every couple of months.

Dennis

 

[Normandy]

You are using too much chain lube. A light spray on top and bottom is lots.