Topic: Strange Oil Leak

[Habbyshaw]

Hello,
I have a 74 CB550 that has an oil leak above the upper head gasket. How could this be! From what I can tell its not coming out of the valve cover because the top few fins are clean. Take a look at the attached photo and let me know if you have any suggestions. I recently rebuilt the top end with hopes it would fix the issue. It was gone for the first 2 rides but now its back. Any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks,
Ryan
Boston
[img=http://s17.postimg.org/4jale46cb/photo_9.jpg]
[img=http://s10.postimg.org/oypq5koh1/image_2.jpg]

[motosan]

Maybe it's time for baby powering the engine...

[Habbyshaw]

I have tried the powder trick but only reveals the same information. There is a leak above the head. Is there anywhere inside the block it could be leaking from? If so what is the recommended solution? Some kind of permatex product?

[uksparky]

You will have to run the engine in idle about 2500 + RPM with a fan in front of the engine..riding the bike at hwy speed will blow any oil leak all over the place....clean it off first

[motosan]

How about the 2 o-rings inside the cylinder head side?  I had a similar situation and the oil from the side cover was trailing into the spark plug area and onto the lower fins. 

[crazypj]

That would be my guess as well although it could also be the alloy sealing washer holding the bracket which holds end cover
I would pull screw and check both

[bryanj]

Did you replace and seal the rubber "pucks" between the rocker cover and head?

Did you replace the soft sealing washers between the endcap holding bracket and the rocker cover?

Did you replace the "O" rings on the end caps?

[Duanob]

Yep what bryanj says. The 6 pucks below the cam cover I use an oil resistant sealant on them. You don't have to but I've had them leak when installing them dry.

I guess you will need to pin point the leak to tell what is leaking. "Above the head" could be anything.