Topic: Uhoh, I sprung a leak!

[olds-cool]

I sprung a leak of unknown origin today and now the bike is pissing oil like it's going out of style!  I got more oil than Jed Clampett when he shot the ground!  Why is it that machines always run their best right before they crap out on you?  I've had a problem lately with a flat spot between 4.5 and 6k on the tach.  I decided to tear apart my carbs over the weekend to see if maybe a dirty needle or something was causing the problem.  I found out that one bank was set differently than the other so I made a small adjustment, not perfect but much better.  I was able to rev all the way to 8k today before I shifted.  It ran like a raped ape!  I was so excited about it running better until I pulled into a local park for a smoke.  I looked down and there was oil all over the case, coming off the fins, and running down both side covers.  I can't figure out exactly where it is leaking because it seems to be from everywhere.  It's a 500 so I know it isn't an oil line or anything like that.  The best I can tell is that it may be near the top of the cylinders.  There appears to be a gasket in that area that is failing.  I rode it gently home from work today and still had to stop about 1/2 way and wipe up oil. It looks like a rebuild is coming sooner than I thought.  I need to source a new set of cylinders because I have some busted fins.  There's no point in rebuilding an engine with busted up fins since I plan on replacing them in the near future anyways.  I found a gasket kit on partsnmore.com.

50 pc. complete top and bottom end engine overhaul gasket set including valve stem seals and all o rings. Fits Honda CB500/K1/K2 (71-73) 4-cylinder models. Highest quality, made by European original equipment manufacturer supplier.
$61.00

It looks like a good deal to me, what do you guys think?

[tramp]

me thinks you never should of done 8 grand
hope you fix it

[Uncle Ernie]

Unless there's a reason to go all the way, you probably just need to replace the head gasket.

[olds-cool]

There are broken and bent fins on the cylinder head.  I had planned on waiting till winter but I may as well replace it while I have it apart.  After looking some more, I'm pretty sure it's only the gasket and a new one wouldn't be to expensive.  Should I replace only that gasket and limp through the rest of the season so I can at least ride or should I do it right, spend a little more, and do it all at once?  Decisions, decisions, decisions......  If I do it all now, I'm going to miss riding for a while.  It makes the day so much better.  I get grumpy when I can't ride.

me thinks you never should of done 8 grand

I probably shouldn't be hurdling my body down a road at 70mph with nothing but some foam, plastic, and leather to protect me but I still do.    If it's not in the red zone, it should be ok...at least that's how I look at it.  It was bound to happen after 35 years of running.