78 GS1000E, oil sightglass in clutch cover replacement

[philosopheriam]

Folks,

Bought a new oil sightglass from Z1 Enterprises and it looks identical to the old one - I carefully punched the old one out with a socket, and when I went to install the new one, I noticed that it seems very loose in the clutch cover hole - I can push it in/out with my finger.

Are the sightglasses glued/epoxied into place? Any info would be appreciated.

[Agemax]

should be a very tight press fit, i wouldn't trust it if its that sloppy. you can easily imagine what would happen if it popped out on a ride!

[JTGS850GL]

Just curious as to why you had to replace it?

[philosopheriam]

Just curious as to why you had to replace it?

The other one was very cloudy and it was difficult to see through it...

[philosopheriam]

should be a very tight press fit, i wouldn't trust it if its that sloppy. you can easily imagine what would happen if it popped out on a ride!

That's what I thought - also, that's why I don't understand whats going on...

[Agemax]

I replaced mine with one from a kawasaki GPZ305. exactly the same size and fits in tight. only difference is that it doesn't have the metal "spider" behind it so it is easier to see, and easier to clean

[philosopheriam]

So, I called Z1 and spoke to Mike - he measured the OD on the Suzuki sightglass in comparison to the one for the Kawasaki that they also sell. The OD's are apparently the same. As I was speaking with him, I could hear him yelling to someone else in the background, and according to that other person, who has done a couple of these sightglasses, they pop in quite easily. So, now I'm wondering if I should just use an adhesive sealant and forget about it...

[Agemax]

Mine was definitely a tight fit, had to use a bit of force to get it in. No sealer used and it doesn't leak a drop.

[FLHGSRay]

I just cleaned mine with a Q-tip.

[philosopheriam]

I just cleaned mine with a Q-tip.

Mine was beyond cleaning - the plastic itself was discolored. So, now I'm wondering if the Kawasaki sightglass might work better.

[philosopheriam]

I replaced mine with one from a kawasaki GPZ305. exactly the same size and fits in tight. only difference is that it doesn't have the metal "spider" behind it so it is easier to see, and easier to clean

You wouldn't happen to know the part number of your Kawasaki sightglass - or perhaps the year of the GPZ350 you used?

[1948man]

I replaced one on an 1100gl a few yrs ago and as I remember it was tight but I also used some type of bond or adhesive.

[Agemax]

part number is 52005-1009

[RegisCook]

I am having my clutch cover re-finished and they tell me I must remove the sight glass and the clutch shaft.
How are these two item removed? 79GS 1000

[chuck hahn]

Pry the seal out of the clutch shaft and it lifts out the top of the cover. Push the sight glass out from the outside into the inside of the cover. Been a while and i dont remember if the basket thing has to come off he sight glass first or not. Guess one could grip the shaft with vice grips to tap the shaft and seal out of the cover using the shaft to drift the seal out also.

http://www.partsoutlaw.com/oemparts/a/suz/50d40287f8700230d8b4e7ca/crankcase-rh-cover