oil leak

[Rickk]

So my 82 Honda Nighthawk 650 is leaking oil.  I dont know a lot about engines so I found a picture and drew an arrow to the seal where its leaking.  Its leaks through that seal around the whole engine. 

I'm thinking thats the head gasket?  If not please give me any info you can as to what the problem is and what it would cost to fix, thanks.

[skramer360]

Looks to me like your pointing to the valve cover gasket. MUCH easier than a head gasket. I replaced mine last year, I think I paid around $40 to $50 for mine. Time wise, about an hour or two depending on if a PO has used gasket maker on it or not and you have to spend time scraping it off 

[Bad Boy]

Oil travels up the engine stud bolt holes and there are o-rings at the valve cover level that failed twice in the 10 years I owned an 82 CB650.  Remove the valve cover w/ rocker arms and replace gaskets and orings.  Do not over torque the smaller bolts.  Get Clymer manual and follow steps. Not too hard.

[Rickk]

ok I looked for the valve cover gaskets online, and some said "right" valve cover gasket and some said "left".  others did not specify.  I had thought it was just one gasket, but if not, which one would need replacing?  or both?

[Munkey]

ok I looked for the valve cover gaskets online, and some said "right" valve cover gasket and some said "left".  others did not specify.  I had thought it was just one gasket, but if not, which one would need replacing?  or both?

The actual valve cover is in 3 pieces on this bike. What you are needing is not actually the valve cover gasket. The fiche at Bike Bandit calls it the cylinder cover, part # 203451-001 and #6 on the cylinder head cover schematic.

The bolt right above your red arrow is also bad about leaking. It should have a copper sealing washer on it. You should replace those while your at it just in case.

[Rickk]

yeah I'll probably just take it in.  I'll just end up making it worse if I try it myself