Topic: That oil leak is NOT the shifter seal

[Tomfl57]

My 1974 CB550 has been "marking it's spot" since I got it.  I figured it was the shifter shaft seal because that is the general area the oil seemed to be coming from.  I took off the left side cover and found a huge puddle of oil.  It seemed to have filled the pocket around the oil pump.  I started the engine up with the cover off and did not see anything coming out of the pump. The oil pressure light seems to be working properly (comes on with the ignition, goes off when the engine is running).

Anybody have an idea what might be going on here?

[douglascoolgrey]

O-Ring chain?

[GeoffT]

I have/had a similar leek directly falling underneath gear shift. Only when the bike was on the side stand. Thought it only really appeared after oiling cain. Took of the cover cleaned the inside of the cover and no more leek. There was a lot of oil and bruck muck in there. Still keeping an eye on it though.

[Einyodeler]

More than likely it`s the oil pressure switch.
There`s a little screw on top that holds on the wire,if you can grab the wire and the the whole top of the switch turns with it it needs to be replaced.
I had the same problem and tried the spares from 3 different engines and they all leaked due to someone overtightening the screw.
Good news is you can still get one from the Honda dealer.

[bryanj]

Common fault on these pumps is the cover O ring leaks and it is not available from Honda as a seperate part. I have sourced some equivalents and can supply a set of O rings to replace all four disturbed when the pump is removed and stripped. If you want some email me direct with your address and i will tell you how much.