'81 GS1100E Splitting the case without removing head. Is it possible?

[Guest]

Hello fellow GS'ers

I rebuilt my engin a while back and now I am getting oil on my left boot. It's not the starter o-ring, it has been changed and is dry.
The other thing is it's intermittent, it comes and goes. Once per ride. weird.
It oil is coming from behind the sprocket cover. Cant figure out where. I will have to clean all the oil, bring tools on next ride and remove the cover when it happens.

My question is it possible to split the case to clean/reapply case gasket seal compound with the head still on?

The thought of having to dismantle it all this time of year sucks balls!

I want a freaking dripping oil free Gs is it even possible?

Thank you.

[hillsy]

I think it's possible - here's a schematic of the cases with the bolt patterns:



I don't see any bolts underneath the cylinders (although there's a few inside the sump).

FWIW I remember doing the same on a GPZ900R many years back to replace the starter clutch.

[Nessism]

Yes it's doable.

[Steve]

Not sure about the 1100E, but some bikes have a bolt hidden under the starter, so you will have to be sure to take that out, for sure.

.

[Baatfam]

Yes...you can see the head is still on in these pictures...It is an '83 motor, but no different. I did this to drop in a better transmission.

[rapidray]

You don't even need to remove the valve cover.
Ray.

[c&c]

You guys are the best!
There is still hope for a fun oil free summer

[bwringer]

You sure it's not just one of the seals?

[c&c]

It's definitely coming from behind the cover and not from the drain holes from the starter or the one going towards the sprocket area or leaky gaskets head, cover or base, dry as a bone.

At least I know that if I have to split it, it can be done.

[Carter Turk]

It's for sure not the shift shaft seal?

Or is it the rubber seal with the diagonal metal plate at 10 oclock relative to the counter shaft sprocket?

What about the gear position/neutral indicator plastic plate with two phillips head screws? These are all behind the counter shaft cover.

[c&c]

It looks like it was the gear position sensor. It was the only part covered in oil. If it would have been the sprocket shaft the oil splatter would have been rotational. The shifter shaft was oil free. Added some gasket goop and should be fixed. Ill find out on my next long ride. Thank you for all the info and help.