Topic: '72 CL350 Cylinder oil leak

[msg536]

I recently purchased a '72 CL350 with a known oil leak somewhere just above the starter motor. Bike has 25000 miles and runs will with no unusual sounds and noises. Has good compression. It was last on the road in 1983 and left in a barn. Today I cleaned years of grease, oil and dust off the front and bottom of the engine to search for the leak and found it. The leak is slow and not a gusher. The head gasket is not the problem. Just above that there is a shiny rough spot on the cylinder where the cam chain is. I've tried to get a good picture but the spot is back in the bottom recess. Don't know if it's a casting failure or maybe something with the cam chain caused it to wear through. Thoughts?

[grcamna2]

The leak you see,is it in the middle bottom,left of the lower cam chain tunnel not too far left above the number '3' in the 325cc marking ?

[msg536]

Sorry about the picture...the leak is in the right lower port just above the "cc". It's difficult to see in there but the raised area in the center for the cam chain is rough and shiny whereas the left side is smooth. I'm guessing it's about 1/4" in length. Not something like a stone could have caused. I'm baffled by it all. Looks like a tear down is in order.

[754]

 I have seen the chain rub through. .
If you can get it clean enogh JB weld , may hold it  back a while..

[msg536]

Thanks for the reply. Wish I could see in there better.

[grcamna2]

You may want to pull the head and see if your cam chain tensioner guides and possibly the chain needs replaced.

[msg536]

It's going to bug me till I find out. Thanks for the replies. I'll report back.