Well That’s a Fine Start

[The Flying 1100_imp]

Well no it wasn’t actually.

With under 500 miles on the odometer, I picked up my new to me CB1100 and arrive home after sixty miles to discover oil over the lower frame and exhaust on the right side. Haven’t ridden it since but wiped the oil away. No subsequent drips. Think it’s coming from the bottom of the main cover on the right. Still under Honda warranty so expecting them to collect early next week. Any ideas anyone?

[Lord Popgun]

First, check the oil filter. Sometimes the old gasket doesn’t come off with the filter and when a new one is put on there are 2 gaskets and leaks happen.

If it has a K&N filter. These are known to fail this and do what happened.

Check the drain plug for tightness.

[The Flying 1100_imp]

Thanks… those areas are all free of oil. I was thinking it could be as simple as trying to torque to 12nm the clutch cover as that’s where it appears to be coming from.

[Lord Popgun]

Ok, maybe. Can you pos a pic or 2?

Oil filler cap is tight, and o-ring on it, right?

[The Flying 1100_imp]

Yep that’s tight and completely free of oil. The uppermost area of oil is from the underside of the clutch cover.

The ride today was in warm conditions 22c with about 25 minutes of stop start riding… ie heavy traffic.

Just thinking, once a seal has been passed by oil is it compromised for good or would, it they were a tad loose, bolt nipping up help.

[Rox_imp]

Im betting it's something silly. Loose drain plug, loose filler, maybe the breather from an accidental overfill. These bikes almost never leak.

[pekingduck]

It way be as simple as the previous owner spilled oil after refilling it, wiped of what he could, and it's just residual blowing up and back from riding.

[Frulk_imp]

How much oil does the motor currently have in it?

[max]

Thinking the same way as Pekingduck, this area is just under the filling plug and can be overlooked.
If the oil has been replaced ( 500k first oil change ) prior to you taking delivery it should be very new and clear, i would still check the level by putting the bike on the centerstand on a level surface, the sight glass should show the level ( cold and not running ).
Was the oil you wiped up dirty or clean?

Highly unlikely there is a leak and be careful with checking bolts, don't over tighten them.

[The Flying 1100_imp]

Just to recap on the facts…

The drain plug is dry and no sign of oil is evident.

The oil filter is dry and no sign of oil is evident.

The oil fill cap is dry and no sign of oil is evident.

The sides not least the whole of the clutch cover is free of any oil.

The underside of the clutch cover is not free of oil and was when I found it quite wet.

The frame immediately below the clutch cover was wet enough to have a couple of potential drips… viscosity preventing it drip though.

The exhaust cover immediately below the frame which was wet, had oil on it.

The exhaust cover as it becomes the silencer had oil on it.

The oil although fresh was changed in May. The bike hasn’t been ridden and then subsequently sold.

The oil I found outside of the engine was very very slightly dirty.

Thinking the same way as Pekingduck, this area is just under the filling plug and can be overlooked.
If the oil has been replaced ( 500k first oil change ) prior to you taking delivery it should be very new and clear, i would still check the level by putting the bike on the centerstand on a level surface, the sight glass should show the level ( cold and not running ).
Was the oil you wiped up dirty or clean?

Highly unlikely there is a leak and be careful with checking bolts, don't over tighten them.

Cold… the sight glass is entirely full. Ie there is no discernible level.