Topic: gunk under sprocket cover

[gmonkey]

Pulled the sprocket cover off my brand new used 76 550 and the that whole area looks full of grime and grit.  I expect there to be some but it seemed to be there in excessive amounts.  Also it looks dirty brown like the oil and not like it's all chain lube.  I could take a picture but I scraped out a handful of the mud already so it looks nowhere near as bad as before

So now the questions.  Is this actually normal for a CB550 or does it mean the output shaft seal is leaking oil?  What's the easiest way to clean this area out without hurting any of the seals?  Brake cleaner would take it but I'm afraid it'd damage the rubber bits plus I'm doing this in my basement next to the oil furnace.  It's a bit too cold in the northeast for me to be doing this kind of thing outside right now.  If I hit it with that gunk engine cleaner stuff, is that safe on the seals?

Would appreciate any input.  Thanks.

[Triffecpa]

Yes, it's gross.

Yes, it's normal.

Is your output shaft leaking?  Maybe, but probably not. 

Scrape the majority of the gunk out with mechanical means (putty knife, screw driver etc) and then spray brake cleaner onto a paper towel (or several paper towels) and attack the remaining gunk directly.  No need to hose the area down with brake cleaner.  It'll be easier to get the area clean if you remove the front sprocket.

Tracy

[Yoshi823]

I think that you would find this on many 2nd hand machines where the previous owner has used quite a bit of chain lube just before going out for a ride. It then flings itself all over the place...particularly all over the inside of the gearbox sprocket area.

When you called it 'gunk', this is what we use over here to clean greasey oily residue away from engine cases. We also have 'Jizer' engine cleaner as well as 'Gunk'.

I use an old baking tin that the missus has given me when it has needed replacing in the kitchen, put some engine cleaner into a hand spray canister and use an old tooth brush to get into the corners. This liquid has been a bit safer to use than brake/carb cleaner, and is usually water soluable so's it's safer when rinsed with a hose.

[gmonkey]

Right.  Gunk's really the wrong for it.  Gunk's a brand here as well.  I'll wash it out with engine degreaser.  Here's some shots of the mess anyway.  The engines side's been scrubbed a bit already.  Don't mean to ask dumb questions but I'm paranoid about how chemicals affect seals and other rubberized bits.  Ever since simple green ruined the soles on my favorite pairs of old sneakers, I don't know what to believe any more.  

[BobbyR]

Right.  Gunk's really the wrong for it.  Gunk's a brand here as well.  I'll wash it out with engine degreaser.  Here's some shots of the mess anyway.  The engines side's been scrubbed a bit already.  Don't mean to ask dumb questions but I'm paranoid about how chemicals affect seals and other rubberized bits.  Ever since simple green ruined the soles on my favorite pairs of old sneakers, I don't know what to believe any more.  

Gunk and the other degreasers are merely kerosene and some detergent. Nor a seal eater

[bender01]

 Heres some pics of mine 2 years ago at 11k miles and no lube! A 75 550k. I think your fine. Scrape as much off as you can and spray carefully. This bike in the pics was from northern NH.

[Deltarider]

No need for special degreasers. Detergents like what you use to wash your dishes with, do the job perfectly.

[dave500]

just get the bulk of it of,,itll end up the same in good time,is it a rider or are you going to rebuild it?picture the chain wizzing around and the draught thatll pick up all the finest particles,thats why its so muddy and cruddy,wipe the worst of it away,if the seal was leaking it would have a wet "track" leading downwards and depositing oil underneath and rearwards as the wind blows it,your right being carefull with the seals,you dont want to do more than you have to.