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... since arriving in Budapest last friday I've had something dirty and oily looking/feeling dripping from around the front sprocket cover/sidestand switch area. It only seems to be dripping when the engine is hot, leaving a palm-sized dry stain for me by the next time I ride. Oil level is fine; clutch level seems fine - but I'm always a bit paranoid about the feedback from it; driving in traffic the engine got a couple of degrees warmer than I usually get - but this is in 30-35degrees air temp, and it settles at a normal temp when moving properly.

Any thoughts? If it's a seal somewhere, it is unlikely I will be able to get replacement before I have to leave in just under a week.

Possibly crank case breather?


If only minor then just keep an eye on levels

Clutch slave leaking ?

...I took the front sprocket cover off, wiped the clutch slave and pumped the clutch looking for leaking fluid, but didn't notice anything. Would a leak show up by doing this? As I said earlier, I only see the drip after a ride.

If it is the clutch slave leaking, am I better off avoiding using the bike until I need to do the long ride, or am I basically stuffed unless I can get it fixed before the 1000+mile trip home?

Is it leaking from one of the three pipes at the back of the sprocket cover

Might sound stupid but can you tell what type of fluid it is ?
Oil has a distinct mineral type of smell ( sniff the oil filler plug )
Brake fluid has a harsh sharp kind of smell

Is it the seal on the gearshift shaft (where it goes into the engine)? I had his on my Falco and my Mille. Cheap fix and only takes 5 minutes.

.... Will go for a ride today and take the sprocket cover off straight away. Not that bothered if it's a tiny oil leak. I can keep an eye on that and top up - but I know if the clutch seal has failed id be stuck on the way home.

...found an English speaking mechanic. Believes that it's oil from around the filter seal. No worries - might get him to reseal it. Part of me wonders if I should get him to change the oil and filter while he's there. Are oil filters a fairly generic part for falcos?

k1w1boy wrote:...found an English speaking mechanic. Believes that it's oil from around the filter seal. No worries - might get him to reseal it. Part of me wonders if I should get him to change the oil and filter while he's there. Are oil filters a fairly generic part for falcos?

If you do you'll end up with fully synth.

wayofthedarkhand wrote:

k1w1boy wrote:...found an English speaking mechanic. Believes that it's oil from around the filter seal. No worries - might get him to reseal it. Part of me wonders if I should get him to change the oil and filter while he's there. Are oil filters a fairly generic part for falcos?

If you do you'll end up with fully synth.

....hmmm. well the oil level is fine for the trip home, so might pass on that idea.

I've still got a leak from the secondary oil drain plug, where the revious owner managed to gouge it with a screwdriver. I knew there was something else that needed doing, cheers for the reminder

wayofthedarkhand wrote: If you do you'll end up with fully synth.

And the problem is????


Mind you if it's just a weep, I'd keep my eye on it and do the job when I got home - top up if really necessary along the way.

D-Rider wrote:

wayofthedarkhand wrote: If you do you'll end up with fully synth.

And the problem is????


Mind you if it's just a weep, I'd keep my eye on it and do the job when I got home - top up if really necessary along the way.

...I'm kinda throwing the guy a bone: the 'fix' he's offered will only cost me about 20euros and it means I get peace of mind and a chance to talk shit about bikes and biking in Hungary with him for half an hour. Local's insights gleaned to follow.

... and the local dude replaced the oil filter o-ring and I rode away reassured. Left sitting for a day and the leak is back . Off 'home' tomorrow with a top up pack close to hand. Famous last words but I don't think it's going to lose too much over the trip, but I'll only know once I get going. Worst part of the whole thing has been being preoccupied with the problem during my holiday with Ma & Pa, and the fact that it will make me a road-worrier instead of a road-warrior for the trip home.