I've got an 88 that i've put about a thousand miles on my first month in the Florida sunshine so i've got about 8,800 on her at the moment.... did basic maintenance last weekend, oil, air, inline fuel filter and it's running remarkably better..... no more hesitation on the highway, 0 to 80 over the causeways in who really cares, but feels darn fast..... next on the list is tires, fork seals and the dastardly plug leak that everyone is talking about as i am noticing the leak when i detail her which is about all i know how to do as i'm somewhat mechanically retarded.....  i got a used Clymer manual online at Powell's books for $7.50 and i'm trying to learn........ my nephew and head wrench was following me back to the Space Coast from Orlando in his white Z24 and noticed oil on the front of his car that looked like it was coming out of my exhaust, particularly during the ever so occasional backfire upon deceleration...... is this a normal occurence before fixing the plug leak or might i be in for something far more serious?? and, as for backfires, she only really does this when i stop the engine and gives a great big gunshot if i rev her first...... is this bad for the bike and is it wrong that part of me really enjoys watching people jump ???  

Also, are you sure it's oil?  Is it possible that some water found it's way into the muffler and mixed with soot?  Just a thought.

Also, the backfires are normal on the Savage; to varying extents.  At one time I was trying to eliminate mine completely.  Now, it's just kind of a character trait.  I have to admit that I sometimes find myself grinning when she pops and people duck.

So, the questions are...  Is it sooty water or oil?  Where is whatever coming from?

If it is really rich you can see black smoke, particularly with a cold engine when you quickly open the throttle.  You can also smell gasoline in the exhaust (obviously, since it isn't all burning).

If it is oil in the exhaust, it will be gray smoke.

If it is just an oil leak, it will be on the bike or on the floor.

slavy wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:04:


Good point and you beat me to it.  I was saving it until he answered the previous questions  

What about the breather hose?

Let me think....80/90 kph is what, 50 mph?  I don't have a speedo handy?  That really isn't that fast.  50 in 5th is only about 3500 rpms.

I would make a guess at possibly valve guides and seals.