Help with coolant leak

[Shippenheimer]

I have a coolant leak left side of my engine below carbs. See picture. Has anyone had to repair this leak? What can I expect?

I work on cars for a living so I will repair myself just want to be as prepared as possible for whatever BS I can expect trying to fix this or any replacement parts I may need and not expect. Thanks everyone.

[DenverWinger]

Looks like need new o-rings in the coolant tubes.

Besides the o-rings you will need new gaskets where the coolant tube elbows bolt to the head, otherwise it is a straightforward job. Carbs don't need to come out, but it might make it a little easier if you unbolt the intake runners from the heads so you can lift the carbs. If you plan to re-do both tubes need four o-rings.

Take a tube and an elbow with you to your local Ace Hardware or CA equivalent and rummage thru the o-ring drawers, you will find a size that fits nicely. Honda might have the o-rings in stock but you pay the Honda price for them. I think Honda still has the gaskets for the elbows, but not hard to make your own.

Grease up the o-rings and the inside of the holes where the tubes fit a little before re-assembly so you don't roll or pinch the o-ring when pushing the coolant tube back into the thermostat housing and cyl head elbow..

[Shippenheimer]

Thank you very much.

[Sig45227]

My 83 does the same thing over winter. As soon as I ran the bike a while it sealed up. Apparently it's common.

[DenverWinger]

So does my '93 - It never has leaked enough for me to feel the need to chase it down. Once running in riding season the leak is not seen again.

O-rings in my 1100 are fairly new, no leaks.

[Shippenheimer]

Thanks everyone. Just took it out for the first good run after its winter hiatus and the leak seems to be no more. Strange little quirk but I'm happy thats a common thing and saves me the headache of removing and replacing parts.