Author Topic: A little smoke, plus a few drops of oil....nothing to worry about?  (Read 1805 times)

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Offline 78_SaltLick

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Hey guys. Whenever i start up my bike, the engine itself smokes a bit until it really warms up, the smoke comes from the left side, kinda by the front fins. But, like i said it stops once its warmed up. Also, once i park my bike after riding it, i notice about 2 drops of oil will form on the pavement under the engine. Is this something to look into, or is my bike just acting like a 78 cb750?.  People always say, those old bikes always smoke a little when you warm them up, and a few drops of oil after riding it is normal on an old bike.  I cant really tell right now where the oil is coming from. When i look at the engine above where the drops are coming from, i see the oil is dropping from a nut, but not sure if the oil is coming from under the nut, or is just being dropped onto that first before it hits the ground. Anyways, i can live with the smoking while warming up part, and can get over a few drops of oil, i just want to make sure there isnt something more i should be doing.
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sradja

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Re: A little smoke, plus a few drops of oil....nothing to worry about?
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2005, 07:45:14 AM »
What color is the smoke?

Offline MRieck

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Re: A little smoke, plus a few drops of oil....nothing to worry about?
« Reply #2 on: August 31, 2005, 08:00:22 AM »
What nut??
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Offline 78_SaltLick

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Re: A little smoke, plus a few drops of oil....nothing to worry about?
« Reply #3 on: August 31, 2005, 08:15:59 AM »
What color is the smoke?

color is white/grey, its not black. Possibly it is just condensation, never thought of that. It dosnt seem to produce an oil burning smell.
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Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: A little smoke, plus a few drops of oil....nothing to worry about?
« Reply #4 on: August 31, 2005, 09:23:37 AM »
Some oil drops on the ground after riding is not unusual. Mine does it, it's either the alt. cover gasket, shifter seal (both?). Plan to try and stop it this winter, it's annoying. Good idea for tracing the source of the oil leak was brought up in this earlier thread.

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=3458.0
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Offline Jonesy

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Re: A little smoke, plus a few drops of oil....nothing to worry about?
« Reply #5 on: August 31, 2005, 01:40:01 PM »
Sometimes I notice a puff of smoke or two from the front of the head on startup and I traced it to the joint between the exhaust downtube and the spigot on the cylinder head. After awhile a little carbon soot buildup will point out the exact spot of the leak.

Oil drops from a Honda are NOT normal. Water drops on the ground are normal, that's drained condensation from the exhaust system. On my bike, the chain oiler was going full tilt, and oil was dribbling off the frame, etc. On your model, they did away with the chain oiler, so I'm not sure what it could be exactly. Clean the engine cases off really well and try to trace the leak.
"Every time I start thinking the world is all bad, then I start seeing people out there having a good time on motorcycles; it makes me take another look." -Steve McQueen