Topic: I hope this is a cheap fix!!

[samfig]

Having some time to kill this morning I decided to go and start the old bike up (1974 750) before I had to go to work.  I was pretty surprised when I saw a couple of globs of fluid splash on the ground as it dripped off the first exhaust pipe joint on the left of the bike.  It seems to me that the exhaust pipe joint collar is more exposed then the other three are, so can that be the source of the leak?  If so what can I do to fix it?  Does it just need to be put in further?

Also, the fluid seemed like a mixture of oil and gas (my sense of smell sucks so I'm not sure).  Should I think about adding more fluid to account for the little that was lost?  if so how do I check that?

[samfig]

here is a pic of the one next to it.  I think it is further in, what do you guys think?

[bryanj]

Shouldnt be any fluid of any kind there

[CBGBs]

Could it just be moisture and carbon creating a black liquid that slipped through a crack? Check for an exhaust leak.

[kghost]

the finned clamp should be like the second one.

That in and of itself does not account for oil seepage.

Generally what causes that is a head gasket leaking allowing oil to run down the cylinder fins.

Especially when the bike is oon the side stand.

The good news is if its the head gasket, which commonly do that on these bikes, and if its small you can ride them forever

[samfig]

I loosened the fin clamp and moved it so that it is entirely over the joint that was exposed.  I didn't have a chance to turn on the bike to seen if that stopped the leak because it was too late in the evening.  I'm going to turn it on tonight and see what happens.

Do any of you guys know if its easy/cheap to change a head gasket?

[750goes]

If you loosen the collar and slide it back down the pipe a bit, check the tightness of your spigot that is held on by two phillips head screws, if it is loose then carbon build/up and moisture from start up will form a lovely black brew that will leak down your fins... as previously suggested.. if not nothing lost in this exercise.. just put the collar back up and torque it down..if the collar does not fit flush then move it to the left or right for a possible better fit..

[dusterdude]

I loosened the fin clamp and moved it so that it is entirely over the joint that was exposed.  I didn't have a chance to turn on the bike to seen if that stopped the leak because it was too late in the evening.  I'm going to turn it on tonight and see what happens.

Do any of you guys know if its easy/cheap to change a head gasket?

easy no,cheap yes