MT350 project

[fitzpatrick]

I have an MT350 with a few problems that I imagine are pretty easy to fix, I've got some free time coming up and thought I'd put it into the bike. The thing is, I'm not, right now, the most mechanical person in the world, so I'd be grateful of some advice from the more mechanically experienced people around.

It's developed an oil leak, I started it up after it sitting for a while and after about 5-10 mins it dripped down the left hand side while on the side stand. So i've been reading posts here and read a number of things to look into, oil lines, brass fittings, valve, although the topic was for an mt500, I guess most still applies. It's not leaking while the bikes sits, does that rule the valve out?

My other question is, where can I get parts? I don't mind spending extra time replacing things that probably doesn't need doing, or isolating the problem to save a few quid. I'd rather just do everything, I guess most of it'll need doing at some point anyway, better to learn how now. Is ebay best? If so what am I looking for? Anything else I should be doing/buying for common problems? I'd like to have a small stock of parts to be prepared. I really want to cover everything as I'm getting rid of my other two bikes soon so this will be my main bike till I get my new one. I probably do about 200-400 miles a week, so I need it to be reliable.

Anyone selling parts I may need, I'd prefer to buy from someone here than ebay.. I feel bloody cheeky asking people I don't know for help.

[karlm]

hello,
My 350 has a similar leak, this comes from a small plastic screw in cap on the clutch cover, its use is to enable clutch cable replacement, could be a place to look. Commercial links section on here will give you details of spare parts sources, I have used force, KL and LMS all have provided a reasonable service.
All folk on the forum are the best resource you can find, and you have done that. Best of luck.

[fitzpatrick]

Thanks Karlm, I'll check that out. Didn't expect replies so quick.. I've got this school of electrical and mechanical engineering bordon hampshire manual book, so that ought to help. Any tips on specific parts?

[ZIP TIE]

Check to see if it is coming from where the clutch cable goes into the cases as the cable should have a rubber boot and an O ring on its end(the O ring goes on the metal cable end that goes inside the cases) but they often don't and oil can be forced out here

[morpheus]

Hi mate,

One of mine had a hairline crack in the casing where the kickstart is which caused a leak like you describe - I got it welded up and that solved the problem.

The crack was so fine you could hardly see it and I couldn't believe that oil would come out of it!

Morpheus

[Bunker]

feel bloody cheeky asking people I don't know for help

please dont worry about that, its part of what we're all about

[fitzpatrick]

Thanks bunker, morpheus and ziptie.

If it was a hairline crack in the casing that'd be easier for me to get sorted! I will give that and the o ring a look tomorrow.

In the meantime, I was thinking about parts and decided on oil filters, air filters, battery, cambelt (to be kept as a spare), clutch cable (spare), then my speedo has quit on me, do I need a new speedometer, or could a new speedo cable do it Anything else I may as well do while I'm at it? I'll try and get that lot ordered tomorrow.

For now I've removed the hang guards as they were making the throttle stick, mirrors are long gone as they were useless anyway (vibration), reminded me of those shiny plastic stickers that imitate mirrors on childrens toys. Then replaced the grips, because they were ugly. Gave it a good clean and grease (before oil leak). I'm working on the rust. When the leak is fixed the indicators are going as they hang and don't look good. Finally new tyres and hopefully panniers. Thought I should justify putting this in the projects section.

'll put some pics up when it's working and clean. (Ashamed at the moment). I'll be ordering a "show" plate at some point too. Yellow just doesn't suit it.

[Mark Hill]

Oil leak could becoming from the airbox via the engine breather pipe. This can happen if the oil has been overfilled. Another possible is oil that misses the tank when filling, it eventually comes out down the bottom after coating the frame etc.

[fitzpatrick]

I actually think the oil may have just gathered over time, then when the bike heated up it all dripped down as it had been sitting for a while. I've started the bike today, went after about 5 kicks, and no oil leak after 30+ mins. Changing the oil now.

[fitzpatrick]

I took it out today for a good run, no troubles.. But, it's now leaking while it sits..





Sorry for the poor quality, only had my phone handy. I'm pretty sure it is fresh oil, that's the right side of the bike, it's dripping down from the cut out bit of the pan.

And ideas?

Doesn't seem to be coming from the clutch cover screw as described above. Not overfilled either. I'm probably going to have to take it to pieces, it's driving me crazy.