Bike leaking something; please help

1276 Views 14 Replies 10 Participants Last post by jezzajameson, Mar 14, 2015

mikemill

Discussion Starter · Mar 13, 2015

Hey I took my bike out for the first ride this summer in Minnesota the other day. When I got back, I noticed this white fluid leaking out of a hose on the left side of my bike.

Sorry I'm not too mechanical. Can anyone tell me what this is and how easy/difficult it's going to be to fix?

Thanks! Pic below.

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1 - 15 of 15 Posts

Scorpi0

· #2 · Mar 13, 2015

Thats coolant. It looks like its coming from the hose. Tighten that clamp on there... Get the bike hot and inspect it again.

Edit: That actually looks more like its coming from somewhere up top and dripping down. Take off the plastics and try to find where its leaking from.

SCMil

· #3 · Mar 13, 2015

find where the leak is...most likely from a loose hose, should be an easy fix. there are a couple guides on here on how to remove the fairings if you need help with that. GL

mikemill

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 13, 2015

Cool, thanks guys! It's a slow leak so I don't expect anything to be cracked. I hope it's just the hose clamp needing a good tightening.

TheSloMoShow

· #5 · Mar 14, 2015

There's only 4 fluids your bike can be leaking, and of those 4 it's most likely coolant. Unless, a bird pooped on your bike

JK, it def looks like coolant. From where though, you'll have to investigate.

Jperez

· #6 · Mar 14, 2015

Someone jizzed on your bike.

Reactions: 3

NitrusReigns

· #7 · Mar 14, 2015

Jperez said:
Someone jizzed on your bike.

Can you blame them?

monkeh

· #8 · Mar 14, 2015

Make sure you check the coolant level after fixing the leak

RJ2112

· #9 · Mar 14, 2015

I'll take a look at my '09 in a few hours and confirm..... I don't recall hose clamps on that line -- looks like someone 'fixed' that, in the past. The metal neck showing to the left of the hose looks to me, like it is supposed to be covered by the hose. My guess is someone used a part from the local auto parts store, and clamps they could get at the same place, to make a repair. That line goes to the combination oil and coolant pump, which is mounted lower on that side of the bike.

It would be a good idea for you to download the shop manual for your bike for free, from this site. Knowledge is power. It might also be worth replacing that hose with the one that actually fits the application, if you can't get it to seal.

mikemill

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 14, 2015

Jperez said:
Someone jizzed on your bike.

I don't always jizz on my bike, but when I do, it's most of the time.

mikemill

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 14, 2015

RJ2112 said:
I'll take a look at my '09 in a few hours and confirm..... I don't recall hose clamps on that line -- looks like someone 'fixed' that, in the past. The metal neck showing to the left of the hose looks to me, like it is supposed to be covered by the hose. My guess is someone used a part from the local auto parts store, and clamps they could get at the same place, to make a repair. That line goes to the combination oil and coolant pump, which is mounted lower on that side of the bike.

It would be a good idea for you to download the shop manual for your bike for free, from this site. Knowledge is power. It might also be worth replacing that hose with the one that actually fits the application, if you can't get it to seal.

Thanks dude. That would be a good resource. Did you have a chance to compare the hose on my bike with the one on yours?

Skinnaird

· #12 · Mar 14, 2015

On my '11 there is metal showing in that spot, and there is a hose clamp there.

I'd say tighten the clamps, and see what you get.

RJ2112

· #13 · Mar 14, 2015

Skinnaird said:
On my '11 there is metal showing in that spot, and there is a hose clamp there.

I'd say tighten the clamps, and see what you get.

Just went out and looked.... same clamp and hose, at least it looks the same at the lower end of the line. I didn't take the fairings off to see the point the OP has the leak.

2nd for tighten it an see what happens.

RJ2112

· #14 · Mar 14, 2015

mikemill said:
Thanks dude. That would be a good resource. Did you have a chance to compare the hose on my bike with the one on yours?

Looks like the same hose, and clamps -- at least on the end that I could see without removing my fairings. tighten it up and see what happens.

jezzajameson

· #15 · Mar 14, 2015

even if its a slow leak i would take care of it right away, just like cars its a pressurized system, and leaks can cause heating issues, it may not effect the bike now but it could get to the point where it no longer keeps the bike cool or from overheating. as everyone said it looks like coolant.

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

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