FinalDriveLeak?

[mkocal]

Yesterday (9/05/07) I posted a request for help regarding a small oil leak through the level check plug at the rear of the final drive: very slight leak. The real leak (still small but maybe getting bigger) is dripping off of the lowest part of the final drive 'flange'. This flange supports the brake shoes and is covered by the drum that attaches with the wheel. I have not taken the wheel off yet but I am assuming that there is some sort of seal leak in the final drive. The oil is not coming from the drain plug at the bottom. Can anyone help? Thanks in advance and thanks for the help re the stripped level check hole.
MK

[Bob_Roller]

There's about a 3 inch diameter oil seal that seals against the splined output shaft of the rear drive. There is also the rear brake shaft that goes through the rear drive housing, and has the cam that moves the brake shoes, there are two or three small o-rings on that shaft as well that can cause a leak. As well as a gasket between the rear drive cover plate and the main housing. You need to remove the rear wheel and see which one is giving you problems.  Welcome to the world of 25 year old motorcycles !

[mkocal]

Thank you Rob_roller. I guess now is about the time to purchase a service manual. I am wondering if this can wait until the off season, soon to be here.

[nhmaf]

There are also eight ( bolts with crush/wave washers that hold the inside "cover" of the final drive
to the outer housing that are accessed from inside (they are around the perimeter of the housing
when you remove the rear wheel).   In my case last month, I had (1) of these that was dribbling a
little oil, which was running down and coming out the bottom space between the final drive and rear wheel
hub.   I got a bit lucky - I drained the final drive, took the bolt&washer out, cleaned it very well and the
surface of the cover, turned the washer around the other way (contemplated putting a small dab of sealant
under it, but decided against it) and snugged the bolt back in.   It hasn't leaked a drop since and that
was several weeks ago (looking for some piece of wood to knock on....)

If your luck is like mine, if one of yours is leaking it will be the one under the brake shoe pivot mount or
the rear mount, making it necessary to at least move the shoes partially off to access....

-Mike

[thrang]

I've always made a point of changing the rear drive box gasket when the cluth needs replacing . Since the swing arm has to come out  for that and the gasket costs under a fiver I look at it as preventative maintanence as swapping out that gasket with the box on the bike is a real pain in the arse when you don't have a garage.