Topic: should i be worrying about the 350f oil leak?

[heffay]

i really don't want to get into the where abouts of the leak... just tell me what you think.

do they leak?  should i ride it till it screams in pain?  will it ever scream in pain?  will it take me where-ever  i want to go? 

live long and prosper SOHC4

[Gordon]

What do you mean "do they leak"?  If they're in need of repair, then sometimes they do.  Is yours still leaking after replacing the top end gaskets and seals? 

As far as still being able to ride it goes, an oil leak is typically only a serious problem if you don't check the level and keep it topped up.  Otherwise it's just a cosmetic issue, both for the bike and your pants.

[heffay]

was curious who rides it like they stole it.  who parks it at the very first sign of a leak.  who could really care less.
yes, my bike leaks but i'm not really asking permission to ride w/ a leak it was more of a philosophic question.   

[upperlake04]

Heffay, young man - in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter. 350s are merely a clever assortment and manipulation of materials and even though they are anthromorphized and awarded souls, they haven't. Sorry, it really doesn't matter.  But maybe the Spanish philosopher will have something important to say..

[ieism]

I remember when my friend bought a brandnew Yamaha TD-whatever, and he went on a ride with me and my girl. My girlfriend was riding a little thumper back then that leaked oil pretty bad. About a litre every thousand kilometers

When we stopped for a cup of coffee somewhere he noticed half of her leg, and most of the engine was covered in oil. He didn't want to drive any further with us because he thought it was the most dangerous thing he'd ever seen. After we explained him that she'd been driving it like that for a whole season, he reluctantly drove on with us.

It's basicallly a continuous oilchange when you think about it, so it must be good for the engine  

[hoodellyhoo]

My 350f is leaking at the head gasket and at an o-ring around one of the cylinder studs in the front. Although I do plan on fixing these things in the spring, in the meantime I don't let it affect my riding style. I check the oil level often and keep it topped up. I wouldn't say I ride it like I stole it, but I deffinitely give it a workout. Just yesterday I did a 120 mile trip to lake michigan. The vast majority of the trip was 60-70mph. The little honda just hummed away without any fuss or problems. So to answer your question i don't think you have anything to worry about, just enjoy your ride.