Topic: Oil Leak Solutions?

[todzilla220]

I have a small leak coming from where the shifter shaft on the left goes into the main engine case on my 75 CB550.  After running the bike and warming up; and then setting on the kickstand...it's a pretty steady drip drip drip drip drip...If I put the bike on the center stand it at least slows down a little.  If anyone saw my other post, I thought it was because the bike was over-filled with oil.  But that's not the issue now.  I'm dead on level with oil now.  Unless there's some residual oil still on the other side?

A) Dont worry about and invest in good pans/kitty litter?

B) Properly fix?  How?

C) Temp fix?  Something I can put around the shaft to keep the oil in?  (hee hee...sounds dirty)   

[Deltarider]

Some have good results with Castrol GTX High Mileage motoroil. I am one of them. Although I have the same leak (very little) it hasn't worsened. Until now I didn't even bother to replace the seal.

[Peterengland]

I had oil leaking out where the shifter goes through the side cover, I pulled the side cover and there was no oil there at all...strange, I cleaned everything up and stuck the side panel back on and there has been no leak at all in the last 2000 miles! Weird one that and I already bought a seal for the shifter shaft from DS, so this is in reserve now.

[MCRider]

Regardless of oil level, that seal should not leak. Replacement is easy. Remove pedal. Pick at seal with a pick. Careful not to scratch the shaft. Should pull out fairly easily.

Wrap the shaft with a single ply of oily paper. Offer the new seal. The paper will protect the inner lip of the seal from getting nicked on the splines. Tap it home. Use the old seal or a socket as a drift. Remove the paper.

[todzilla220]

I already bought a seal for the shifter shaft from DS, so this is in reserve now.

DS? 
Mind if you send me a link an approx cost of the seal?

Thanks!

[flybox1]

I already bought a seal for the shifter shaft from DS, so this is in reserve now.

DS? 
Mind if you send me a link an approx cost of the seal?

Thanks!

DS=David Silver Spares

use CMSNL.com to find your bike, look thru the fiche and find the part and associated part number.
search using the part number and you'll come up with a few vendors. its easier than it sounds.

[todzilla220]

Cool!  Thanks for the info! 

[Jimsun]

Regardless of oil level, that seal should not leak. Replacement is easy. Remove pedal. Pick at seal with a pick. Careful not to scratch the shaft. Should pull out fairly easily.

Wrap the shaft with a single ply of oily paper. Offer the new seal. The paper will protect the inner lip of the seal from getting nicked on the splines. Tap it home. Use the old seal or a socket as a drift. Remove the paper.

Not trying to thread hack but this holds true even with the cb550s? I believe mine could be leaking as well by the shifter. So all i have to do is grab a new seal/o ring and use a oring pick to remove the one on the shifter. Question 2. Im assuming that the seal is visibleafter i remove the left side sprocket cover right?

[todzilla220]

I believe you and I are in the same boat.  The seal is shot now that I've started riding this barn bike.  Just trying to find and make sure I'm getting the correct one for my '75 CB550.  I'm not sure what K series it is...  Need to do a VIN lookup I think...lol

 

[MCRider]

Regardless of oil level, that seal should not leak. Replacement is easy. Remove pedal. Pick at seal with a pick. Careful not to scratch the shaft. Should pull out fairly easily.

Wrap the shaft with a single ply of oily paper. Offer the new seal. The paper will protect the inner lip of the seal from getting nicked on the splines. Tap it home. Use the old seal or a socket as a drift. Remove the paper.

Not trying to thread hack but this holds true even with the cb550s? I believe mine could be leaking as well by the shifter. So all i have to do is grab a new seal/o ring and use a oring pick to remove the one on the shifter. Question 2. Im assuming that the seal is visibleafter i remove the left side sprocket cover right?

My suggestions are with the CB750 in mind. I see that the OP is about a CB550. So...
I think the act of the seal removal is the same, but the 550sprckt cover has to come off, where on the 750, only the pedal comes off.
2. I think so.

[Jimsun]

Thanks Mac. From what i see here it's part #22
OIL SEAL (14X24X5)
91202-216-003 91202-KFL-841



It should look like this (except this is from a 750?)

[MCRider]

Basically, it should look like that. Though I don't know what that is, not a 750. Not even a Honda?

[MCRider]

Looks lke the 500/550 has a long shift shaft, a lot of which must be traversed by the seal till it finds its home. Be sure the shaft is smooth, free of knicks that can catch and tear the lip of the seal, even microscopically.

[todzilla220]

Now I need to go to the dentist to steal one of those pics!   

[todzilla220]

I keep stumbling on vendor sites that are in the U.K. for some reason?  Anyone got any local (U.S.) sites?  Ebay isnt even helping me out much here either...

[MCRider]

Now I need to go to the dentist to steal one of those pics!   

I use motogrid.com for no good reason other than I know how and they haven't done anything bad.

See how that pic is in the pic? That's OK but you got to be careful not to turn it down and scratch the shaft.

[Jimsun]

Thanks. Now i need to figure out how im going to get my hands on one without paying. An arm ad a leg for shipping

[david 750f]

Have you tried Honda? That part number is coming up as still available.

[Jimsun]

I havent because last time i was told was that anything for the 74-76 parts are gone. But i guess ill give them a call tomorrow.

Thanks for the heads up!

[trueblue]

Pull the cover off first and make sure that your leak isn't coming from your oil pump.  I had a similar leak on my 650 (very similar to the 550) I was certain it was the shifter seal, even went to the point of buying a new seal.  I then pulled the cover and the seal was dry but the oil pump was dripping wet.  Cost me about $2 for some new o-rings for the oil pump and about half an hour to fit them. 

[todzilla220]

Thats a good point too. 
I really need to get it all cleaned up and dried up to really determine the source before I go buyin a bunch of seals that I don't need. 

[todzilla220]

I think while I'm in there, I might as replace the seals and o-rings on the oil pump while I'm at it. 

Referencing this post:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=112985.0

I should be good with the 46X2 O-ring? 
I'm still unsure if I need the 13.8X24X5 or the 14X24X5 oil seal for the shifter?  Only $2.84 on partzilla.com

Dont understand why we got so many darn part #'s!  My John Deere tractor just has one and that's it!  lol

[Deltarider]

I think while I'm in there, I might as replace the seals and o-rings on the oil pump while I'm at it.

Don't fix what isn't broken. While I'm in there, while I'm in there... removing the left side cover ain't no big thing, is it?

[todzilla220]

I think while I'm in there, I might as replace the seals and o-rings on the oil pump while I'm at it.

Don't fix what isn't broken. While I'm in there, while I'm in there... removing the left side cover ain't no big thing is it?

All I have to do with my 75 CB550 is 4 screws and take off the shifter lever.  Pull towards you.   
Tech Tip: If you havent loosened those screws in a really long time, maybe borrow or invest in a $15 impact driver.  Hit mine with it to avoid breaking. 

[Jimsun]

Or you can put the correct size screw some penetrating oil and in 3 mins put the screw, tap with a hammer and uncrew away.

[alacrity]

Todzilla.  Get the 13.8.  If your shaft is worn -- bike has more than like 15k miles, it will leak with the 14.  That's prob why honda revised the spec and changed/updated the own part#.  Remove shift lever (first mark index on shaft with white paint so you line it up same way later) Pull the side cover - ezpz 4 m6 screws.  Wear gloves it's messy in there from your leak, dirt ingestion (it's open at the bottom) and chain lube spit-off).  You will prob find it easier to get a couple little #6 sae self tapping screws at the hardware store and at 180 degrees apart screw em a turn into the seal.  Grab each screw with a vice grips and pull straight out.  No picking around and scratching the ridiculously soft aluminum seal seat (learned that on the first cb500 I did).  Clean in there really well.  Feel the seat for burrs or cracks.  Feel the shaft where the seal sits. There a prob a groove or some roughness that tears the seal up as you shift.  Use scotch brite- NOT a file- not steel wool.  Be gentle and slow and remove the leat amount of material to make it smooth to the touch.  Previous poster had good suggestions for installing the new one after the seat and shaft are ready to recieve. Just keep the shaft and the seat really slimy with motor oil or 3-1 before you slide the seal on.   And protect the seal for the razor sharp splines on the end of the shift shaft.  Should be good to go


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[alacrity]

Sorry for typos-- did that on the phone.   The seal itself sits flush against the seat in the case.  You don't wanna f- that up.  You don't wanna screw those little self tappers in any farther than needed to grab and hold the meat of the seal.  The seal is only 1/4" deep... Get screws that start threading in the first 1/4 turn and stay shallow.  Pull hard and straight. It will come


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[todzilla220]

Sorry for typos-- did that on the phone.   The seal itself sits flush against the seat in the case.  You don't wanna f- that up.  You don't wanna screw those little self tappers in any farther than needed to grab and hold the meat of the seal.  The seal is only 1/4" deep... Get screws that start threading in the first 1/4 turn and stay shallow.  Pull hard and straight. It will come


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Thanks for the posts!  My head was exploding with 'thats what she said'.   

[Jimsun]

I want to update. Ireplaced mine and no leaks after 500 miles. I also rethreaded my oil pressure sensor. Bone dry in there now

Just be careful when removing the gear shaft oring. The gasket is hard and will require a certain angle with an L or a 45 degree pick to grab the gasket out. Also clean that gearshaft underneath as theres usually crud. Apply motor oil and slide it in. The new gasket will have the spring thingy. Itll snap in place.

[Rocky2010]

My 1971 CB500 I removed the foot peg,the gear lever then the cover then drilled a small hole screwed self tapper screw in hole pulled it straight out with pliers.
Then replaced new oil seal 14X24X5 which i purchased  from a bearing place seems to be a  common oil seal, its not leaking anymore