vstar 1100 custom '06- oil leak problem

[bushbuck]

I'm a first time bike owner. bought an 06 1100 custom 3 weeks ago. noticed today some oil leaking off lower front right side. i do not know what to look for and can't tell where it is coming from. anybody had similar leak? low on budget right now and would like to fix myself if possible. i use bike for commuting to work roughly 120 miles a day.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by bushbuck

i do not know what to look for and can't tell where it is coming from.

Well, finding the source of the leak is the first step.
Clean off the area REAL good. Check it often.
Check the level often too.

Hopefully somebody here knows more.

A visit to the dealer might be helpful. They shouldn't charge you anything to take a quick LOOK at it. The problem might be obvious to a trained eye.

[bushbuck]

Thanks. I got with a coworker that rides. said the cover bolts may have vibrated loose. sure enough they were. would you reccomend putting loctite on the cover bolts? or not?

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by bushbuck

Thanks. I got with a coworker that rides. said the cover bolts may have vibrated loose. sure enough they were. would you reccomend putting loctite on the cover bolts? or not?

That kind of depends on what kind of cover it is. If it is the oil filter cover, then NO. Probably not others either. Bolts tend to sieze and threads strip too often in aluminum alloy housings.

A spot of clear fingernail polish or white appliance touchup enamel would be better.....after things are properly tightened and oil is cleaned off. Less likely to cause a permanent seizure.

Try to resist OVER thightening; that can be worse than too loose.

[bushbuck]

Thanks for the tips. Much appreciated.

[intimid8er]

I don't own one of them, but.......isn't that where the oil filter is? And if so, could that be the source of the leak?

[johbren]

If its like the 650 and Im sure it is the bolts on the inside of the oil filter cover are easily stripped or the o-ring is not sealing properly.

[LostCajun]

I'v also got an '06 that leaks a small bit of oil. my leak has oil coming from the air filter. that sounds crazy, but i traced it up the air intake system to the box under the gas tank that directs the air to the two carbs. there are two hoses that are some sort of pressure relief system from the top end of the engine. somehow the oil is under some pressure and gets pushed into the box and leaks down into the air filter. I think that my leak has something to do with running at high RPM's before the engine warms up. I notice that sometimes the red oil light comes on if i'm running 65+mph and the engine is still relatively cool. if I notice the light, i immediately slow down and the light goes off, but then i rub my hand under the stock air filter cover and there is a small amount of oil there. I have not noticed the light on any other time than if the engine is still cool and i've checked my oil level regularly. Has anyone else had a similar situation? BTW, this is my first post... hi everyone.

[Jaxon]

Originally Posted by LostCajun

I'v also got an '06 that leaks a small bit of oil. my leak has oil coming from the air filter. that sounds crazy, but i traced it up the air intake system to the box under the gas tank that directs the air to the two carbs. there are two hoses that are some sort of pressure relief system from the top end of the engine. somehow the oil is under some pressure and gets pushed into the box and leaks down into the air filter. I think that my leak has something to do with running at high RPM's before the engine warms up. I notice that sometimes the red oil light comes on if i'm running 65+mph and the engine is still relatively cool. if I notice the light, i immediately slow down and the light goes off, but then i rub my hand under the stock air filter cover and there is a small amount of oil there. I have not noticed the light on any other time than if the engine is still cool and i've checked my oil level regularly. Has anyone else had a similar situation? BTW, this is my first post... hi everyone.

I have an 06 1100 Silverado and had the same oil light issue when I first got the bike. 65+ mph and the oil light would come on, slow down under 65 mph and it goes away. Not too long after that I put an oil filter relocation kit (ORK) on and problem solved. My best guess as to why this solved the problem is that with the ORK, you have to add a bit more oil. At the same time, I did change to Rotella T oil as well.

Ref to the original post, just sounds like your oil filter cover was loose. I wouldn't recommend putting Loctite on the bolts. Everytime you remove bolts that have Loctite or some type of threadlock comound on them, the bolts get weaker and are stretched a bit.