K1200gt oil leak

[motormike]

Looking for some advice about an oil leak on my 2004 K1200gt. The leak is on the left side of the engine. It appears to be coming from somewhere high on the engine and running down the left side just behind the 4th cylinder and exhaust. Quite hard to see. At first I thought it might be the dreaded clutch oil seal leak, but (so far at least) there are no tell-tale leaks around the bell housing seam on the right-hand side or the bottom. Don't know what's up there that could leak oil. Someone on the K-bikes site suggested the oil breather line might be leaking? The leak is bad enough that it eventually runs down and drips oil into the belly pan after a long (100 mile +) ride. I've tried to take a photo of it as best I could (sorry the photo is sideways!)

 

[52184]

The breather hose can be checked for leakage by pulling the RH side panel and inspecting the top of the crankcase. A cracked and leaking breather hose assembly will leave a lot of spooge there. If your bike is still on the OEM hose it’s due for replacement at any rate. However, I’ve never seen one leak that badly nor leave a trail in that location.

I think your next step in diagnostics would be to remove side panels and fuel tank and see if you can determine how high up oil trail reaches and where the trail leads to. Possibly a failed alternator seal dribbling oil in that location? But a failed clutch o-ring and rear main seal could leak that much and is still a very likely possibility for that vintage. If it’s that, be sure to use a Viton o-ring for replacement.

Best,
DeVern

 

[motormike]

Wanted to try another photo of the leak and see if I can keep the picture orientation correct. The leak doesn't look like much because I'd removed the belly pan and washed most of the oil off. It's usually quite a bit worse after a ride.