As many of you probably know, I have this old, decrepit mule of a Monster.  I don't think it even qualifies as a Ducati anymore...the poseur points I get for this thing have me in the hole right now.  It's filthy...I think I washed it half-assedly last YEAR for La Ducati Day and since then it has seen nary a bubble of soap.  Recently I noticed that there was a bit more slimy crud on the underside of it so I took some degreaser and a hose to the old girl and got the big chunks cleaned up enough to realize that there was some sort of oil leak coming from..."somewhere."

For those of you with brand, new shiny bikes you don't really know "somewhere."  "Somewhere" is where bolts fall and disappear.  It's also where that strange buzzing occurs.  And it's usually the home of leaks.  "Somewhere" seems to be taking over most of my bike these days.  If you look closely you can see evidence of drop, drips and oozes coming from all over the bike.  Years of accumulation of one or two trickles every now and then start showing on a bike from the 20th century.     

I had taken the Duc on a moderately paced cruise yesterday and was keeping an eye on my new oil leak when I noticed yet another, mysterious leak.  It was on the frame right underneath the rubber that cushions the tank from the trellis.  It didn't feel like oil.  Didn't smell like oil.  It wasn't battery acid either (no I don't run a sealed one.)  I couldn't tell what it was.  Smelled sorta gassy, felt kinda sticky.  I had no clue.  None.  And to make matters worse I saw that it was still leaking today.  Not a big leak.  Just a little leak...like a runny nose.  And yet again, it seemed to originate from "somewhere"--not the dark, deep depths of the engine, but right out in front, just on the frame--out of nowhere, but coming from "somewhere."

So I'm stoppin' by the shop to pick up m'boy cuz his ride is on the fritz, too, and I ask my old pal mechanic friend what he thinks might be causing my leaks.  I was most concerned about the oil leak, but most fascinated by the _____ leak.  Turn out that there are some bolts that hold on the rubber thingie to the tank that cushions it from the frame.  And they go right into the tank.  And after 50,000 miles they rattle loose.  And the gas leaks out.  Onto your frame.  Very. Very slowly. 

Sounds like I need to get out some screwdrivers and a few hex wrenches and just snug everything back up over the weekend.   

 

I as well am amazed at people able to keep the mystery leaks at bay...

Another good story MB

you know the fun and joy of owning a old bike is the somewhere leak and the head scratching moments.   

It only leaks to let you know it's still working.

Maybe it's like Jeeps... You should only get worried if it STOPS leaking, cause then you know it's out of fluid.

My Jeep: If there's no fluid under it, there's none in it 

I don't do oil changes nearly as often as I should...why bother when I have to put a half quart in it every week?   

Quote from: mostrobelle on August 19, 2008, 11:28:36 AM
I don't do oil changes nearly as often as I should...why bother when I have to put a half quart in it every week?   

i know how you feel   

Didn't I make some smartass comment about not washing it because the dirt was holding it together? 

Quote from: TCK! on August 19, 2008, 11:11:27 AM
Maybe it's like Jeeps... You should only get worried if it STOPS leaking, cause then you know it's out of fluid.

Thats what they used to say about the F 14 Tomcats.

It's not an oil leak, it's the "self coating anti-corrosion system" working properly.

Quote from: sugarcrook on August 19, 2008, 03:47:56 PM
Didn't I make some smartass comment about not washing it because the dirt was holding it together? 

I tried telling the mechanic that...   

A friend of mine had an old 900 super sport that was looking kind of faded and tired. He took it to a auto detailing place near here, where they spent most of an afternoon with it. About $120 dollars later he had a very fresh looking, non paint faded, Super Sport.
I think this technique works on Old Monsters too. 

Quote from: MendoDave on August 20, 2008, 03:16:02 PM
A friend of mine had an old 900 super sport that was looking kind of faded and tired. He took it to a auto detailing place near here, where they spent most of an afternoon with it. About $120 dollars later he had a very fresh looking, non paint faded, Super Sport.
I think this technique works on Old Monsters too. 

So....you think they'll detail Heather and make her look good again?

Quote from: TCK! on August 19, 2008, 11:11:27 AM
Maybe it's like Jeeps... You should only get worried if it STOPS leaking, cause then you know it's out of fluid.

I've always heard this metric applied to British cars. Old Jeeps don't use Lucas electrics, do they?