Topic: High Idle out of the blue, oil leak not pinpointed. 77' CB550F

[danarchy77550f]

hi,

  Among the problems i havent diagnosed is this new one that popped up today. 

1) My bike normally idles around 1400-1500.  Yesterday after riding to work it was about 2500.  This morning when i got home it was at 3000.  I was getting quite a bit of heat off the headers and smoke from the exhaust.  I checked the oil and it seemed fine through the dipstick but the motor was very hot to touch.

2) My electric starter goes in and out recently.  I believe it to maybe be the solenoid because i can hear it clicking and feel it through the side cover.  i have been kick starting it just find but sometimes it takes quite a bit,  i dont know if they are related

3) Lastly ive had an oil leak for about 6 months.  it collects mainly in the fins and near the # 1 sparkplug.  It also seems to be coming out of numerous places in the head.  It started after a filter and oil change. i used some fancy  motorcyle oil instead of regular old 10w- 40

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Motor should be hot to the touch, i'm just sayin'  I believe you think it is hotter than normal and smoking more than normal?  If it started right after the oil change, change it back, and I am only half kidding, some engines don't like certain oils.  Stick with what works.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Do you think you might have a hanging throttle cable? That's what happened when I had high idle last- a little grapphite lube helped rid the high idle.

Sounds like your battery may be on the outs- how old is it? Have you tested with a voltmeter or checked the specific gravity after a charge?

[danarchy77550f]

I started her up again with some more oil and seems to be fine. I'm actually waiting for a throttle cable to come soon. My clutch cable snapped last week so I figured I should just replace that too. Thanks!