On Top of Old Smokey!

mcgovern61 · May 31, 2012

My bike is always kept in the garage and I always put it up on the center stand when sitting. I am currently rebuilding the rear brake caliper from the original '82 and I didn't want to move the work table with all of the parts out to bring the bike back in last night so I left it outside in the driveway on the side stand.

Start up this morning to head to work and you would have thought I had one of those mosquito spraying trucks with the smokescreen it made! :shock: (Reminder to self.........don't leave the bike on the side stand overnight!)

The smoke is a combination of oil in the left side and gasoline. My carbs must not be sealing again and they leaked a bit(.....not enough to hurt anything). So.......lesson learned.......park her on the centerstand or deal with the smoke! (Or....maybe fix the leaking carb again? :smilie_happy: )

MrB · May 31, 2012

I've temporarily removed the center stand from my '81 and note the same issues, especially when it has sat for some time. I'm trying to pin down the specific cause and will let you know what I find, if anything.

dan filipi · May 31, 2012

The reason for the smoke is oil deeps past the rings.
More so the closer to full oil it is.

backlander · May 31, 2012

:smilie_happy: :smilie_happy: Your neighbors will thank you for your mosquito services, Gerry. :smilie_happy: I've been told that most all wings will smoke a little when first cranked. Could be a little wear in valve guides or valve guide seals letting small amount of oil leak down to the underside of the valve when it's leaned over, which burns off when cranked.

mcgovern61 · May 31, 2012

Your neighbors will thank you for your mosquito services, Gerry.

They sure do........did you know that mosquitos are the New Jersey State Bird? :smilie_happy:

I've been told that most all wings will smoke a little when first cranked. Could be a little wear in valve guides or valve guide seals letting small amount of oil leak down to the underside of the valve when it's leaned over, which burns off when cranked.

Yeah.....typical for these bikes! I am not too concerned since it only happens when sitting on the side stand for more than 12 hours. Also, starting on the side stand will move a large amount of oil into the left valve cover making it a bit worse.