leak on garage floor

[racer]

I rode about 400 miles yesterday, highway and backroads with some gravel. No issues. This morning I noticed several spots on the garage floor under the center stand. I rolled the bike out for a closer look and have found small drips coming off muffler and dripping on to the front of the swing arm and center stand and there seems to be a fine coating of wet dust under the rear fender.

I don't think it is engine oil as nothing forward of the swing arm is wet. I've narrowed it to brake fluid or coolant. There was some indication of liquid on the side of the rear brake fluid resevoir, but when I remove it, nothing appeared to be leaking. There doesn't appear to any leaking from the coolant overflow tank either. Both fluid levels are okay. The bottom of the shock is dry, so I don't think the shock is blown.

I had all fluids changed at a dealership about 1000 miles ago, but this is the first I've seen the problem. I checked the coolant overflow tank cap and it seemed in place. It's still under warrantee but the dealer is 50 miles away. Any thoughts?

 

[Don in Lodi]

You mention moisture under the fender, you don't have anything on the rim do you... a seal leak at the differential can spin fluid up into the fender area.

 

[Juan]

Was your 400 mile trip all dry? No rain and no puddles on the roads? If you went through wet ground it could be that you threw muck up the underside of the bike and it dripped down to your garage floor overnight.

 

[stomp347]

Hi,

Sure its not condensation from the pipe. I get those every once in a while.

 

[racer]

Everything was pretty much dry. It's definetly not the final drive seal or water dripping off the fender. I am thinking it is coolant from the overflow tank which may have been over filled since it was just changed out. It was really hot and the coolant may have expanded and pushed out of the rubber cap. Going to wash the bike today then ride some next week to see if I can replicate the problem. Nothing serious, but I'm leaving on a 3000 mile trip in a few weeks. I'll post what the problem is, if I ever get it figured out. Racer

 

[Don in Lodi]

The radiator and the surge tank will reach equilibrium pretty quickly. Does the surge tank show above the 'full' mark still?

 

[trainman]

Everything was pretty much dry. It's definetly not the final drive seal or water dripping off the fender. I am thinking it is coolant from the overflow tank which may have been over filled since it was just changed out. It was really hot and the coolant may have expanded and pushed out of the rubber cap. Going to wash the bike today then ride some next week to see if I can replicate the problem. Nothing serious, but I'm leaving on a 3000 mile trip in a few weeks. I'll post what the problem is, if I ever get it figured out. Racer

check the fan is ok and you don't have a blown fuse, I assume the engine temp gauge is in its normal range?

 

[racer]

The fan works, I heard it come on periodically during the ride. The coolant overflow tank shows half full, right between the low and high marks. I'm pretty sure it is coolant since it has now evaporated leaving only a darkened spot on the concrete. I don't think brake fluid would do that.