Oil leak at gearbox case/clutch actuator.

[ChrisP]

Hi all,
     After a brief (30-40mi) ride today, I noticed oil on the center stand when I parked the bike at home.  The oil looks like it's coming from the clutch input at the gearbox.  Input shaft seal?  How daunting is this type of seal replacement?  Am I looking in the right direction on this?  I haven't had a chance to check the gear oil level, as I was already running a bit late for work when I got home from riding.

Thanks,
Chris

[Bob_Roller]

I'd check the condition of the rubber boot that covers the clutch push rod and bearing .

The boot may be cracked, loose clamp .

[ChrisP]

Thanks, Bob!
I was in a bit of a hurry after noticing the oil and, as per usual, began to imagine the worst possible outcomes.

Cheers,
C

[georgesgiralt]

Hello !
This boot is not for preventing oil to come out, it is to prevent dirt to come in the gearbox.
There is a small lip seal on the push rod sitting on the primary shaft of the gearbox.
IMHO, if this one is faulty, you'll have to at least remove the gearbox to change it (and maybe open it to get proper access to the seal)
The clutch actuator is actually dry and not oiled at all.
Sorry to tell you that.

[Bob_Roller]

I forgot about that seal !!!!!

You can replace the seal without going into the transmission .

With the swing arm removed, you may have enough access to replace it without removing the transmission .

You'll need to make that decision, when you get there .

When you do replace the seal make note of how it's installed, it's installed opposite from what you would think .

The small spring that applies tension to the seal, is visible when correctly installed .

[ChrisP]

Georges and Bob-
Thanks for the advice!  I have to do a helicoil repair on the final drive level check plug, so I figure that while I've got the rear wheel off, it'd be a good time to remove the swing arm and attack that seal.  I can get at this seal from the outside of the cover?  Is it the shaft seal (part # 23 12 1 232 681)?

[steve hawkins]

There is a felt seal half way up the pushrod.  Watch out for that.  Its a bugger to replace.  It needs to be there or gearbox oil will start migrating up and down the shaft.  It was implicated in a clutch slip issue I had years ago - mine is a 1979 r65.

Cheers

Rev. Light

[georgesgiralt]

Hello !
If I'm not mistaken, early boxes had a felt on the pushrod and then they changed for a very small lip seal into the primary shaft.
When I opened my '82 gearbox, I cant remember having a felt but I had a slip seal.
The part number you give is huge. I think it's the output lip seal.
Mine is the # 16 P/N 23121242420 see the RealOem  picture.
It is easy to tell what kind you have using RealOem and your VIN. The felt is listed on the clutch actuation page and the lip on the gearbox shafts page.

[ChrisP]

Thanks for the clarification Georges!

[steve hawkins]

I was thinking about this - part #2.  However it is for a 79 gearbox

[Julio A.]

Since the R65 in question is a 1983 model, the throwout bearing assembly should be different from a 1979 model. In addition to different design changes, the felt seal was removed from the design. I believe this should be the right one: