DL1000's chocolate engine casings
I had an oil leak on the DL1000 (2007, 25,000 miles), from the left side. It seems to be the engine casing corroding away. Just after Christmas I rode the bike Edinburgh-London, and left it there for 4 weeks. On the ride down it was snowing/ice, so lots of gritters about.
When picking it up again, the engine was covered in white corrosion. After about 50 miles the oil started dripping out. Investigation revealed that around all the leading bolts (the bolts at the rear of the engine casing are fine) the metal of the engine casing has dissolved. Oil was just dripping out, fast drip with more revs. Stuck some sump glue in there, and rode home.
I can see now that the area surrounding the bolts on the top of the leading cylinder head has also started to dissolve. Not great at all. The metal casings are magnesium alloy.
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