Let's play "Figure out why my bike is leaking oil"

[Mike]

Just starting noticing this recently. Not exactly sure where it's coming from. It seems to be coming from under the clutch/front sprocket cover, but that's not 100%. It's dripping down from that area, and the chain, kickstand, center stand, swing arm, frame in that area are all covered in oil spray. Are there common areas I should look for?

[cowboyup3371]

Take the sprocket cover off and look at the clutch pushrod seal as well as the countershaft sprocket seal. You'll want to clean it up real good and then take it for a drive. If that's where the leak is coming from then they both might need replacing.

[earlfor]

Just starting noticing this recently. Not exactly sure where it's coming from. It seems to be coming from under the clutch/front sprocket cover, but that's not 100%. It's dripping down from that area, and the chain, kickstand, center stand, swing arm, frame in that area are all covered in oil spray. Are there common areas I should look for?

On the shift lever shaft that extends through the cover, there is a round rubber oil seal the presses onto the shaft once the shift lever and cover is removed. The rubber seal presses into a recess in the side of the engine around the shift shaft. Pick/pull the old dry rubber seal out and press in a new one using a suitable deep well socket to evenly press it in. The seals are still available from any Suzuki dealer and cost about $2. You will probably have to order the seal though.

Earl

[Mike]

On the shift lever shaft that extends through the cover, there is a round rubber oil seal the presses onto the shaft once the shift lever and cover is removed. The rubber seal presses into a recess in the side of the engine around the shift shaft. Pick/pull the old dry rubber seal out and press in a new one using a suitable deep well socket to evenly press it in. The seals are still available from any Suzuki dealer and cost about $2. You will probably have to order the seal though.

Earl

#20?

[cowboyup3371]

Yes. It can be a pain to get out (I broke a pick and a knife on it) but if you can get a screw into it then it should pull right out. The trick is to get the screw past that thin sheet of metal that is inside the seal. Before you start to push the new one in, coat it with a THIN layer of sealant.

[chef1366]

Almost always forgotten is the o-ring on the starter.

[Mike]

Almost always forgotten is the o-ring on the starter.

#6?

[pete]

If it's definitely from under the sprocket cover, then definitely won't be the starter O ring on a 450. Are you thinking of the bigger bikes Lynn? I have no experience with anything other than the 450...

My money's with Cowboy on the clutch pushrod oil seal, they seem to be a fairly common one.

You'll most likely need to degrease everything and clean it up well to discover the true source, and behind that sprocket cover can get awfully messy with the chain lube etc.

[Mike]

should any oil come out of the hole that the clutch pushrod goes through? Because it's definitely dribbling out of that with the pushrod out.

[Mike]

Got the seal out relatively easily. Going to run down to cycle recycle when they open and hope they have it in stock

[cowboyup3371]

There will be oil on the rod but it should not be coming out.

[pete]

There will be oil on the rod but it should not be coming out.

If the pushrod's out though it would be coming out wouldn't it? I'm thinking wet clutch, oil has a path from there straight through where the pushrod was and now out that seal...

With the pushrod in it should definitely not be coming out though...

[chef1366]

No #17
.......

[cowboyup3371]

What I meant was the pushrod will be wet from the oil inside. According to what I understand and saw, that pushrod will go through to the clutch basket side which does have oil in it. You just don't want any seeping through that seal and onto the ground. The seal acts like a wiper but I believe it will still be wet.

I'd tear my cover off to check but I'm trying to keep the bike running for one more week before leaving for Ohio.

[pete]

Yeah I get ya, all good