[duc.rob]

When I parked my bike in my work parking lot this morning I noticed a nasty burning oil smell. I of course related it the Harley parked next to me but then realized it was my 2001 M750. There was a puddle of fresh oil near the crankcase breather. I have an aftermarket K&N breather. I thought at first that it was leaking out of the case - but that just does not make sense so it must be coming out of the breather. I did have a couple of hard accelerations this morning. Anyone else noticed this??

 

[MagnusVer]

You have a k&n filter on the stock breather?

I have a k&n on a nichols breather, but haven't had that problem. I've heard of oil spray pushed out through the filter... but a puddle? Is it coming out through the filter or at the base of the breather? If you replaced the oem breather did you use a crush washer?

 

[test-reg]

you didn't say what year your bike is. if it's an'01 or newer you could have a vertical cylinder base gasket leak.

 

[Speeddog]

duc.rob's sig line shows his bike as an '01 750........

Apparently the problem is more common on the water cooled bikes, but some folks have had the air-coolers leak too.
My '02 S4 has the leaking vertical cylinder base gasket. Oil collects between the little ribs in the top of the tranny case.
I mop it up with paper towels after each ride.

Try thoroughly cleaning up the whole area there, and go for a short ride. You should be able to isolate the leak that way.

 

[test-reg]

didn't see the sig. line. my bike is also an '01 750 and had a vertical cylinder base gasket leak, fixed under warranty. a little talcum powder on the suspected area after cleaning can help isolate the leak.

 

[CRASH!]

Sure, could be a base gasket, but don't panic yet.

Significant oil should not come out of the filter; mist, sure, but not puddles.

Unless..... the breather valve isn't working. It's a one-way valve and the stock ones are known to fail. Repalcements from Nichols are highly regarded. There are a number of other choices as well.

So look at the base gasket, but consider the breather valve as well.

 

[duc.rob]

It looks to be leaking from the base of the cylinder. My waranty expired in Feburary. Looks like I have to pull the engine to fix it. Only 6000 miles!!