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Oil Leak - Shotgun 650: Help Diagnose

TigerGA

TigerGA

Well travelled
Location
Coastal Georgia (USA)
‘24 Shotgun 650, about 1,000 miles, and it just started an oil leak that I’m trying to diagnose. The leak is rearward of the engine/transmission and is more towards the left side. The leak is to the right of the chain, so it’s not lube dropping off the chain. It leaks very little, the “puddle” doesn’t seem to grow.

Where is it coming from? I found a post online where a RE owner had a similar leak in the same place and it was coming from around the stator wires. Anyone know if that’s a problem area on these bikes? I’m still under warranty, but the dealer is 1.5 hours away, so I’d like to have an idea before taking the bike in.
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I don’t know the model, but have you, initially, saturated the area with brake cleaner, wiped it all down just to 100% clarify the exact starting place of the leak…
Is this a model where you can remove the front sprocket cover to narrow down the issue? Like I said, I don’t know the model, but fully cleaning and testing first; someone mentioned applying talc to the area… with all its carcinogenic ermmm, issues 🙄
 
Agreed windmill john. Give it a good Brakleen bath and start from scratch. Could even be something picked up from the road like the "mystery sprinkles" that were hitting my Interceptor tank. I swore it was probably the new adjustable fork caps leaking around the o-rings but after I cleaned it off a couple times, they went away.
 
@2LZ unfortunately, I’ve cleaned up the “puddle” and it reappeared after the next ride. It’s coming from the very rear of the transmission - but the frame and center stand are in the way, blocking the view. I can see an oil run trail on the frame, but the view from above that is blocked. That’s why I wanted to know where the stator wires go into the engine-that is often a leak point on some bikes.
 
Have a look on eBay for used 650 twin engines and study the images. I did, but didnt see any wires protruding in the area you described. You may notice something else that could be the potential culprit.
No chance the oil level is too high (over filled) is there?
 
You are sure it's oil and oil from the crank? No possibility it is something you use to clean your bike or two cleaners or cleaner/polish that have combined to make another chemical that is just pooling somewhere. Do you blow out the area under the starter motor after washing until there are no more drops? Run compressed air through any non-visible nooks and crannies. No, i have not had a leak in that area but I was surprised to find not all liquids evaporate with the heat of the engine.

Add, I assume you have looked at the parts book on Hitchcocks page.
 
Just because it drips from the rear doesn't necessary mean it is leaking from there - it will usually drip from the lowest point, and it might be creeping from somewhere else further away.
Looks too clean to be used engine oil - has this just started since a recent oil change?
 
@Roy Gavin @Woodstock its definatley oil. It’s clean oil because there’s only about 600 miles on the current oil.

It’s not coming from washing - the bike has been cleaned with spray detailer, but never washed with water. Also, I’ve wiped up the spot, ridden, and returned the bike to the same place and the next day the oil spot was back in the same place. Didn’t know about Hitchcock’s having diagrams, will check that out, thanks.
 
I see you have a bike ramp and compressor, so think you’re not shy of a bit of tinkering?
If the dealer is far away, degrease engine thoroughly as mentioned above. Possibly whip off main stand too.
Run bike up.
The other thing too is, if you remove the main stand, the position of the puddle will change, so will bike angle. Could point to a different area the drip is coming from.
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NOTE… Brake cleaner on some of these Matt black engines can make them turn whitish. If you’re concerned, find your own method. Me, I clean engine afterwards with ACF50; looks brand new after.
.
 
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On of my Himalayans had an oil leak from the stator wiring, it was easy to see because of its position so I am not sure where the 650 exits but guess its here,
Screenshot_20260203_182159_Chrome.jpg
On the Himalayan the wires and grommet are fused.
The reason I had an oil leak was that the piston was failing and the crankcase pressure was too high, hopefully yours is just a bad fit.
Should be easy to see with the sprocket cover removed.
 
The Brit bikes gearbox arrangement with the power input and output an the same axis meant that the input shaft ran on a plain bush inside the hollow output shaft, with usually only a felt seal to slow down exit of the lube.
Not a problem with earlier grease filled boxes, but became one when oil filled boxes were used, the oil overwhelmed the felt seal.
But really only a partial excuse, poor material, design and workmanship were the main reasons.
The bikes were almost universally built to a price and sometimes that didn't let them make a totally satisfactory product.
Which is probably a bit of an understate!
 
There are a number of people who say it’s unfair to say all British bikes leak. They put it down to years of home mechanic bodgery.
But I recall leaks being talked about in the 70s. I’ve always thought (personally I stress!!!!!…) the ones who used to say Jap crap had their hands over their ears and eyes closed. I don’t mean to be rude, just my thoughts. I think when the Honda CB750 came out, I’m sure there must have been some who saw the writing on the wall….
I think back to my CB250K4. Oil tight, electric start… very nice. Gone off piste!..
 
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