Bike fell over / water

[LimelightSC]

Greetings from SC.

First, thanks for all the valuable information - I have quietly lurked in the background for several years. Of course, I have a question, so I am forced to come out of the shadows and register for one more forum - and remember one more user name and password. As I learn more and become more experienced, I hope I can contribute.

After growing up on the back of a BMW (my dad worked for BMW when I was a kid) I finally turned 40, saved my allowance and purchased a 1984 R100T with (now) approx. 57.3k mi. I primarily use it for commuting and blowing off steam with hopes of going out on the road for a mini adventure or two.

Shortly after the attached photo was taken, we were hit by a crazy summer storm with buckets of rain. The ground apparently became saturated over night and at some point, the bike fell over. The boy woke me up around 6:30 and I noticed it was over in the landscaping bed. Likely sat on its side for six or so hours.

To compound any issues, while I was cleaning the dirty right side of the bike, the boy grabbed the house and shot water, full stream into the drivers right tail pipe - for about 2-3 seconds.

I let the bike sit for another 24 hours in the sun with hopes that any fuel and/or water would evaporate from where it shouldn't be.

I turned it over this morning and as you would imagine, smoke plums from the right side (side which it also fell on). Water (blackened from exhaust residue?) dripped from back of pipes and connection points under bike. She turned right over but the smoke continued - and it started to smell like burning, so I cut it.

I would guess that oil leaked into combustion chamber? This is a total hypothesis.

Anyway, I am looking for advice on hot to move forward - I have some ideas - but I know enough about these things to be dangerous.

The bike has been running like a top and I REALLY hope this is not the start of evil gremlins.

Thanks for your time. And again, thanks for the archives.

[Bamboo812]

FYI; I would have turned the engine over with the spark plugs out first, to avoid possible hydraulic lock from a cylinder filled with water or oil, but it looks like that wasn't an issue. Next thing I'd do is replace the spark plug on the smokey side, or at least carry a spare in case it fouls.

[Duane Ausherman]

It is far too late to worry about hydraulic lock, it turns, so it is OK. I would remove the muffler and attempt to get water out, but it looks like a stock muffler and nothing will probably come out.

I would just run it until you burn the oil out of the combustion chamber. It may take some 20-30 miles to fix itself.

The smell of oil burning is probably in the muffler or oil on some part of the right side and is just burning off. Wipe it down well.

[SteveD]

Go for a long ride, getting it up to some sustained speeds/rpm to heat it up and dry it out. These things fall over in rivers and keep going, so a short squirt from a garden hose won't be an issue as long as it doesn't sit there for long. If the mufflers are ss then even less of a concern.

[SteveD]

About time you showed up then! ...and welcome o'course!

Go for a long ride, getting it up to some sustained speeds/rpm to heat it up and dry it out. These things fall over in rivers and keep going, so a short squirt from a garden hose won't be an issue as long as it doesn't sit there for long. If the mufflers are ss then even less of a concern.

I'd be more concerned about battery spillage so I'm hoping it's a sealed battery?

[Zombie Master]

How does the oil look on the dipstick. Sealed battery?

[PAS]

Change the oil!

[ME 109]

I would have squirted water in the muffler too, at his age. Why the hell not?

I don't think water would get into the oil from 2-3 seconds worth of water. The muffler would baffle the water's progress into the exhaust system.
Oil in the head from laying down could be expected, and black shitty water when you start it is a given!
A good 1/2 hour ride would sort/dry it.

Just out of interest, how big is your hose?

[LimelightSC]

Hello all -

Thanks for all the good information. Sorry for the radio silence. Life has a way of getting in the way of motorcycling.

I checked the plugs and they looked fine. Battery was sealed so no issue there.

Used the excuse to escape for a long, fast ride in the country. The first stop light out of town was a awkwardly smokey. After a quick 30 minutes of riding - the smoke seemed to clear out and things are back to normal.

Going to change the oil this weekend - since I am due for it. But otherwise, all good.

Now, to sneak off for a coffee and test out these new Ikons,

GP

[Duane Ausherman]

thanks for letting us know that our guess turned out to be accurate. Since it is "your" bike and not ours, it is easy for us to suggest stuff.