I'm a new rider and new to wrenches, but I'd like to try to do most of the general maintenance on my bike.
I tried to fix an oil leak on my 07 Monster 695 that appeared to be coming from the valve inspection cover. I replaced the gasket, which seemed to fix that leak, only then I found another coming from the oil filter cartridge. After tightening the cap, that leak has slowed to a minor seepage (that may still be coming from elsewhere, since I noticed a small amount of oil along the engine seam).
What's concerning me is that the header has been smoking throughout this process. I have assumed that this was just due to dripping oil burning off, but after letting it run for a while and taking it on a short 30 minute ride, I'm still seeing an ever so slight trace of smoke coming off the front header when starting it up in the morning. I commute 25 highway miles to work, so I haven't wanted to ride it smoking. Is this normal and nothing to worry about?
Thanks for your expertise! I really want to learn about my bike.
Wipe off the accumulated oil on the bottom of the engine, everywhere you can reach.
A paper towel with some WD-40 on it will help get the more stubborn areas clean.
Don't spray the WD-40 directly on the engine, it's too easy to get it on the tires that way.
Then use a dry paper towel to get the WD-40 off.
You can fold up a paper towel to get up in between the filter and the engine case, if the filter was leaking a bit there can be a lot of oil there.
You can use a solvent like carburetor cleaner or brake cleaner on a paper towel to clean the oil off the exhaust.
Don't use solvents on the engine case, the paint doesn't hold up well to the attack.
Let the bike sit for a day, and see if you can find any oil accumulating on the engine.
If you don't see any, start and run the bike for 5 minutes or so, but don't ride it.
Search again for oil.
If still no oil, then ride it for a half hour or so, and check again for oil.
Thanks Speeddog! Did exactly as you said and all is well. No fires or explosions or anything. [beer] I imagine a lot of newbies get paranoid about their bikes until they get to know them, and that's what I was doing. I just want to treat her well!