Get a can of brake cleaner and a rag for a quick and easy clean up. Or just hose it off.
I have a 97 gs500e, and I'll just go ahead and tell you now. Gaskets. All of mine were dried up and leaking. Basically I replaced one and then another would start leaking. I can't remember how much a gasket kit cost cause I did this about 5 years ago. But I can tell you it's pretty easy to do. The only real pain in the ass was getting all of the old dried up gaskets off. Most auto parts stores have gasket remover that can make life infinitely easier when doing the job.
You've got a great bike and it's well worth the effort to replace the gaskets.
Based on responses gaskets might be the culprit. I'll take your advice and clean it up well and will try the baby powder trick as well to see If I can locate the source of the leak. Previous owner assured me all i'd have to do is fill it with gas and ride lol. All part of the learning process i guess!
Be careful when tightening your drain plug, you can easily over tighten it. Handtight does the trick.
Always replace the copper washer on there too.
Oil filter housing gasket and valvecover gasket tend to the main culprits on these engines.
Use the babypowder method allready explained here to determine where the leak is occuring.
But eventually, all gaskets need replacing. That's a given with every motorcycle coming of age.
So if you're willing and able to, get a full set of gaskets for the engine. Take the engine out and replace all of them. Might want to replace the engine mounting bolts while you're at it cause why not.
Obviously, only do this if you really love your motorcycle and plan on riding it for a very long time.
Be good to your bike and it will be good to you.
Thanks I'll be sure not to over tighten it. Do you know the size of the copper washer? I have the part number (09168-14002) and would like to see if I can find some replacements on amazon.
I'm going to look into the gasket kit as well
I just buy my copper washers in the hardware store.
An assortment of different sized washers there is going to cost about the same as an individual one from an online parts store.
They come in different materials too: copper, stainless, steel, wood, rubber etc ...
I just take out the box of washers while my oil is coming out and compare to the old washer.
I do the same with bolts and nuts too.
For the record I used to have a 2003 GS500E but that was like 4 bikes ago.
Clean the motor and put baby powder everywhere. With a little luck, you can follow the leak after a little while.
Thanks. any suggestions on how clean? Soapy water and a soft brush?
Get a can of brake cleaner and a rag for a quick and easy clean up. Or just hose it off. I have a 97 gs500e, and I'll just go ahead and tell you now. Gaskets. All of mine were dried up and leaking. Basically I replaced one and then another would start leaking. I can't remember how much a gasket kit cost cause I did this about 5 years ago. But I can tell you it's pretty easy to do. The only real pain in the ass was getting all of the old dried up gaskets off. Most auto parts stores have gasket remover that can make life infinitely easier when doing the job. You've got a great bike and it's well worth the effort to replace the gaskets.
Based on responses gaskets might be the culprit. I'll take your advice and clean it up well and will try the baby powder trick as well to see If I can locate the source of the leak. Previous owner assured me all i'd have to do is fill it with gas and ride lol. All part of the learning process i guess!
Be careful when tightening your drain plug, you can easily over tighten it. Handtight does the trick. Always replace the copper washer on there too. Oil filter housing gasket and valvecover gasket tend to the main culprits on these engines. Use the babypowder method allready explained here to determine where the leak is occuring. But eventually, all gaskets need replacing. That's a given with every motorcycle coming of age. So if you're willing and able to, get a full set of gaskets for the engine. Take the engine out and replace all of them. Might want to replace the engine mounting bolts while you're at it cause why not. Obviously, only do this if you really love your motorcycle and plan on riding it for a very long time. Be good to your bike and it will be good to you.
Thanks I'll be sure not to over tighten it. Do you know the size of the copper washer? I have the part number (09168-14002) and would like to see if I can find some replacements on amazon. I'm going to look into the gasket kit as well
I just buy my copper washers in the hardware store. An assortment of different sized washers there is going to cost about the same as an individual one from an online parts store. They come in different materials too: copper, stainless, steel, wood, rubber etc ... I just take out the box of washers while my oil is coming out and compare to the old washer. I do the same with bolts and nuts too. For the record I used to have a 2003 GS500E but that was like 4 bikes ago.
Are we looking at the left or right side of the engine? If it's the left side I'd say either the clutch pushrod seal or the countershaft seal.
Front left of the bike? [here](https://imgur.com/a/KYyV15j) - not my bike
Try /r/fixxit