Buying a used S2R 800 and have a question about picture

jim_0068 · October 20, 2009, 10:29:58 PM

The seller sent me a walk around video of the bike as i am purchasing long distance and can't get anyone to go look at the bike for me, i am in chicago he is outside orlando. In the video there appears to be some oil around the cylinder head and was curious if you monster aficionado's could tell what it is? Does it look like a leak? Just some oil that came out of the breather?

thanks

click on photo for a bigger view and then in the new window you can click one more time for an even bigger view.

woppini · October 20, 2009, 10:45:12 PM

I would never buy a bike unless I personally looked at it. Maybe someone on the board lives near the bike location and can have a look? As far as the oil leak goes, could be one or two things. Valve cover leak or cylinder head gasket. The head gasket is far more $$ to repair if you have to pay to have it done. If your mechanically able, then its not too bad.

jim_0068 · October 20, 2009, 10:47:08 PM

Unfortunately i can't get anyone to go see it. I have even been to some local ducati boards for florida and time tables just aren't working. He is a very good guy and i'm not too worried about it. I am mechanically inclined so repairing stuff usually isn't a problem.

herm · October 21, 2009, 04:20:48 AM

Quote from: jim_0068 on October 20, 2009, 10:29:58 PM
The seller sent me a walk around video of the bike as i am purchasing long distance and can't get anyone to go look at the bike for me, i am in chicago he is outside orlando. In the video there appears to be some oil around the cylinder head and was curious if you monster aficionado's could tell what it is? Does it look like a leak? Just some oil that came out of the breather?

thanks

click on photo for a bigger view and then in the new window you can click one more time for an even bigger view.

cant speak for anyone else, but when i link to that picture, all i get is another picture of the same size, no matter how manny times i click (there is a larger, blank picture looking thing....)

anyway, which cylinder? I always seem to have a small amount of some kind of residue around the horizontal, on the left side. its only noticeable since it attracts dirt. not sure if thats what you are talking about or not....

and +1 seeing the bike in person. a plane ticket down there would be cheaper than buying a big problem.....from my perspective.

RB · October 21, 2009, 05:17:04 AM

I can't tell if that is oil from the pic. The rear cyclinder is known to discolor, but it usually doesn't 'run' like that. to me it looks too brown to be oil....but i am not sure.

You can hire a third party company to inspect it for around $125. A friend bought a car on Ebay and this company drove the vehicle and took copious notes and photos. They were hired by the finance company. I will try to find the companies name, but do a search you should be able to hire them yourself.

RB

corey · October 21, 2009, 05:21:13 AM

my bike has a little bit of that same symptom. i don't think it's oil. i'm damn near sure of it.
what i THINK it is... is just some corrosion "juice" from the vertical cylinder exhaust header bolts. they tend to rust badly for some reason... really the only spit of rust on my entire bike. that's just the place the rusty water/condensation tends to pool up i think.

but i'm no expert...
this is just what it is on MY bike.

stopintime · October 21, 2009, 06:52:53 AM

Before it was adjusted properly, my bike was so hot by the exaust exit that the paint melted a little, running down about where the picture shows. It was more like drops, not like in your picture, so I'm not sure this is what we're looking at. Just thought it worth mentioning.

My guess is that there's is a small normal leak/seapage from the crank case breather filter. Mind you, I'm only guessing.

yotogi · October 21, 2009, 07:48:51 AM

My S2R1K gets a little oil buildup right behind the vertical cylinder, but it never is bad enough to show like that.

I used to live in Orlando, but am in Austin now. You posted in the South Florida board here? Maybe someone there can help you out. Good Luck!

scott_araujo · October 21, 2009, 10:46:18 AM

If it's oil it could be coming from one of two places: the vent that goes to the air box or the base or head of the vertical cylinder. The first one is not too big a deal, the second two are.

Most moto shops offer an inspection service on used bikes for around $100. If you can't get to see the bike you can call the shop and have the seller drop it off for the inspection. They'll go over the whole bike checking for anything that is wrong or may need service. You should get a shop familiar with Ducatis and make sure they look at this issue specifically.

Scott

jim_0068 · October 21, 2009, 07:09:18 PM

getting a local shop to do an inspection. thanks for the help

jim_0068 · October 23, 2009, 12:15:21 PM

Inspection completed, that stain is actually stain from gasoline according to the shop. They say it appears to have come from out of a vent out of the tank. Possibly it was overfilled one day but they can see that it leaked all the way down.

Just wanted to update everyone and thank you for your suggestions.

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Buying a used S2R 800 and have a question about picture

woppini