Kiwi_Roy Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 For the last couple of weeks after a ride in warm sunny weather I kept seeing what looked like rain drops on top of the tank. At first I thought I must have run through a sprinkler. Now I'm starting to think its drops of oil. My bike has no cover over the air filter element under the tank. The breather hose from frame to filter box is in place. I know for sure it's running rich. What do you gurus think it could be? Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raz Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 Fork top caps? Most engine leaks would not end up on top of the tank. Brake or clutch reservoir, or even hoses? Scary thought... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi_Roy Posted May 17, 2010 Author Share Posted May 17, 2010 Fork top caps? Most engine leaks would not end up on top of the tank. Brake or clutch reservoir, or even hoses? Scary thought... Looks like water drops but seems to be oil when I wipe with paper towel, i think brake fluid would lift the paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstallons Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 For the last couple of weeks after a ride in warm sunny weather I kept seeing what looked like rain drops on top of the tank. At first I thought I must have run through a sprinkler. Now I'm starting to think its drops of oil. My bike has no cover over the air filter element under the tank. The breather hose from frame to filter box is in place. I know for sure it's running rich. What do you gurus think it could be? Roy What does it taste like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeeve Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Looks like water drops but seems to be oil when I wipe with paper towel, i think brake fluid would lift the paint. No paint to lift on our tanks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felix42o Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 That breather hose goes pretty far forward up towards the front of the frame...did you check the condition of the hose up there? Seems unlikely, but you never know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi_Roy Posted May 18, 2010 Author Share Posted May 18, 2010 What does it taste like? Yes, that was my first thought, hard to define there's not enough to get a good taste, obviously not poison When I blotted it up looks like oil on paper. Mu thoughts were its spraying out the cutout at the front of tank and getting thrown back by the wind. It looks very clear like water, could it be a residue from unburnt fuel, I'm using about 30% more than I should. Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raz Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Is your fuel cap drain in order? I think I've had some water work its way up from the bowl after parking in rain. Maybe turbulence could spread it so it's not obvious. Oh, and have you tried riding with a full face helmet and see if the problem moves inside? Braaaampampampambraaaaampa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi_Roy Posted May 18, 2010 Author Share Posted May 18, 2010 Oh, and have you tried riding with a full face helmet and see if the problem moves inside? Braaaampampampambraaaaampa What are you trying to say, I'm drooling again? Could be tears of frustration perhaps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raz Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 When I was a kid we used to say the Norwegians put their windshield wipers on the inside. I'm sure they said the same about Swedes, that's how it goes. Seriously, the more I think of it, the more I recall actually seeing water drops 'popping up' from around the fuel cap, from the Bernoulli effect, when riding after a rain or wash or after some gas spill in the bowl. There is always some left that didn't go down the drain pipe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldButNotDead Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 My tank has a fat vinyl pad inset into its top. It acts to trap water that vibration + wind can dislodge. Sounds like it's only a possibility if you wash this thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi_Roy Posted May 19, 2010 Author Share Posted May 19, 2010 My tank has a fat vinyl pad inset into its top. It acts to trap water that vibration + wind can dislodge. Sounds like it's only a possibility if you wash this thing. I never thought of that, yes I did wash it down with the hose a couple of weeks ago, it's probably full of water. I will pull it off tonight. I assume it's held in place by the tank fitting. Just ignore me next time I ask a stupid question. Cheers Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldButNotDead Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 I never thought of that, yes I did wash it down with the hose a couple of weeks ago, it's probably full of water. I will pull it off tonight. I assume it's held in place by the tank fitting. Just ignore me next time I ask a stupid question. Cheers Roy It's a kind of press fit; be gentle as it's possible to rip the anchors out of the pad. I'm pretty sure I had the same "stupid" question some years back and eventually stumbled onto this *feature* accidentally. Living my life by tenacity or stupidity: at this point I'm rarely able to differentiate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helicopterjim R.I.P. Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 For the last couple of weeks after a ride in warm sunny weather I kept seeing what looked like rain drops on top of the tank. At first I thought I must have run through a sprinkler. Now I'm starting to think its drops of oil. My bike has no cover over the air filter element under the tank. The breather hose from frame to filter box is in place. I know for sure it's running rich. What do you gurus think it could be? Roy What kind of tree are you parking under? I sense it could be pitch/sap from trees - spring time they tend to exude lots of liquids! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Jaap Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 What kind of tree are you parking under? I sense it could be pitch/sap from trees - spring time they tend to exude lots of liquids! Tree sap, horrible stuff. But mostly sticky, so I think it's not the case here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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