Transmission Shifter Leak

[Julio A.]

Finally, I replaced my neutral switch! I expected no more gear oil in the floor when a small puddle (at least smaller than what was before) started appearing at the bottom of the bike again. It took me a while to located the source, but it seems to be coming from the joint where the shifter goes into the transmission housing.

Just to clarify a point, I never measured how much oil I put in the transmission, just enough until oil starts to overflow out of the filler hole. I thought that I may be overfilling the transmission.

Does this job of replacing the oil seal there have any tricks or tips, or is it just a straight forward job of pulling it out and putting a new one back on?

 

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Just make sure the new one goes in straight, or it will leak just like the old one.

You are filling the gearbox correctly.

[georgesgiralt]

Easy job, lean the bike on it's right cylinder, remove the shifter lever, using a drywall screw or a wood screw screwed in the old lip seal get purchase on the seal and remove it using a pair of wise grips.
Then oil the new seal, and, using a socket of the proper diameter, insert the new seal in place. Carefully. Then put back the shifter lever. the most straining part is to put the bike back on it's centre stand.
This way no oil drips and you keep your hands as clean as you can, including you shoes !

[Julio A.]

I think I'll just do the wood screw thing in removing the old seal and drain the oil instead of tipping the bike over.

One last question, the oil seal in question is #9 in this picture right?

[georgesgiralt]

Yes, correct.
And leaning the bike (and returning it back up is easy if you have a friend/wife/kid/neighbour
It's an half an hour job.

[Bob_Roller]

It is quite important to get the seal in straight .

I had the transmission from my '81 R65 overhauled by a shop, when I got it back in the bike, I could upshift to 5th gear, but only downshift to 4 th .

The shift shaft seal was installed crooked and bound up the shift mechanism once I got to 5 th gear .

[mrbuck]

I did the shifter seal while I worked at the BMW dealership and I installed the replacement too deep and it leaked.  One of the techs said this was a common mistake and I had to buy another and did not drive it as deep.  I think BMW has a tool to prevent this but I did my work at home and used a socket.

Later, when folks would come into the shop to buy a seal I would caution them to be careful taking the old out and installing the new....and to buy a second one just in case especially if they were from out of town.

Also, be VERY careful taking the old out....DO NOT SCRATCH THE METAL HOUSING....IT WILL LEAK....FOREVER.

[montmil]

Julio,

Suggest you confirm the depth placement of the old seal before removing it and possibly use that as a guide. Believe Snowbum also has a couple tips on the shifter shaft seal.

I did not use anything harder than a wooden popsicle stick to remove the seal on my '81 R65 Airhead. Fearful of scratching the aluminum bore.

Set the seal square to the bore and be gentle as you replace the shaft so as not to nick the sharp sealing edge of the new piece.

[tvrla]

I recall driving a seal in too deeply, but luckily was able to pull it back out without damage. Pulled it back out a little ways, squared it off and it's been fine ever since.

[MrRiden]

As said don't scratch anything. A suitable plastic or wooden tool should pop it out easily, clean everything up nice. A bit of scotchbrite if its really gaked up. Keep it square and don't drive it in too far. Bob walked me through doing mine years ago. A simple and satisfying fix.

[Julio A.]

Just finished replacing the seal. It was a surprisingly easy job and it took me a little over 15 minutes to do. I drained the oil, collected it in a pan and used a wide funnel to put it back in instead of tipping the bike over.

Thanks for the help again guys.  

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

What are you sitting on in your little picture?
Being the Philippines, it could be anything!

edit: Oh!  I see.  When I copied your URL it came alive!  

[Julio A.]

Don't worry, the R65 has way more charm than the S1000. Unless it's for picking up girls or making a good first impression on the first day of classes, I prefer using the R65 most of the time.