Topic: CB650 head gasket oil leak - fix or not?

[Wildman]

I've read about the oil leak at the head gasket as a result of bad o-rings.  My '82 CB650 only leaks a very small amount.  But will the leak get worse?  Has anybody had there leak get worse and how long did it take?  The previous owner of my '82 let it sit for many years without running it.  I now have it running very good and want to know if the leak should be fixed soon.  Thanks for feed back.     

[Zeke]

If its only a small amount, don't hassle it.

The sealing is poor thru the oil galleries that supply oil to the cam area -- they don't leak only under the best of conditions.

After I rebuilt my ride, I mistakenly replaced the chromium-plated copper washers with steel and it leaked like a sieve from the cam cover bolts.  I fixed it a few weeks ago and stripped another bolt -- and I was using an inch-calibrated torque wrench.

Those treads are very fickle, and I'll say, If I had to tear it down again I'd helicoil all of them so I could tighten it up and guarantee it wouldn't leak.  Don't mess with them unless you have to.

So far, knock on wood, since I put on the copper washers I have no upper cyl oil leaks.


Zeke

[oldbiker]

The only answer to this is 'suck it and see'  In other words, as long as the leak does not get big enough to soak your engine or boots, let well alone. When you eventually do strip the top end be very particular about cleanliness of surfaces, oil seals and torqueing the head fastenings.