Is the oil leak from the head gasket or the valve cover gasket? More likely the valve cover gasket. If so, it's an easy job replacing the gasket. You don't have to remove the engine. You need to verify exactly where the leak is first however. Yes a bicycle pump or fork pump is the best means of putting air in your forks. Use a compressor and you'll probably blow the seals. You should never use a compressor. The front forks can also be adjusted in the same way the rear ones can, have you done that?
On Aug 4, 2012, at 4:13 AM, Nathan Hall wrote: > Hi everyone, > > I'm new to the discussion board, but I've been riding an '84 Nighthawk 700 > (red and black, the better-looking one) for about 3 years now and it's become > my favorite bike to ride, hands down. I've yet to find another bike that > compares, and I'm sure you guys know where I'm coming from. > > One problem it's had since I've owned it is that it will leak oil from the > left-side head if it's either set on its kick stand or being run thoroughly. > On its center stand, there is no problem with leaks on the garage floor, but > when I go for several long rides over time it will give my left foot a good > coating of oil. It's obvious where the problem is coming from -- the > left-side head gasket. I've just never been too concerned with it because I > lose half a quart maybe every 400 miles. I jokingly call it my > "self-changing-oil" mechanism, but it really is something that needs > remedying at some point. I'd like to gain some insight as to how difficult > it is to change a head gasket on a Nighthawk. It works so perfectly right > now that I'm always a bit apprehensive about changing things around. It > seems like every old bike you work on has developed a certain groove in which > it likes to operate and replacing/changing parts never really goes over well. > > Has anyone done this sort of job before, and how difficult is it? I imagine > it requires completely removing the engine, which I'm not currently set up to > be able to do. If it turns out to be an actually serious problem, I will > surely get it fixed as quickly as possible though. > > One other quick question is about putting air in the front forks. My front > forks have been diving a bit more than preferable when I brake and a friend > of mine told me that I must use a bicycle or hand pump to get the forks to > the right PSI because it requires such low PSI (1-2 PSI if I remember > correctly). Could anyone verify this? > > I appreciate any info/responses to my questions and I'm also glad to be a > part of the Nighthawk lovers group!! Thanks. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msg/nighthawk_lovers/-/IOJGjYx6oiUJ. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en.
