Major oil leak

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Jan 27, 2008 | 03:24 PM

bugmann78

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Major oil leak

I have a buddy that has a 74 sporty. It has oil leaking from around the chain area. He tells me he has to add a quart of oil to the primary every time he rides. Could it be the sproket shaft seal? If so how hard to fix?

Jan 27, 2008 | 08:15 PM

Grog

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From: Columbia MO.

RE: Major oil leak

Have your buddy clean the bike up really good to get rid of all the oil and grease on the bottom of the bike. Have him go for a short ride ,preferably slow, and look for the trail of oil.That will get youa better idea of just where the oil is going.

Jan 28, 2008 | 07:55 AM

piniongear

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From: Houston Texas

RE: Major oil leak

'Could it be the sproket shaft seal? If so how hard to fix?'

Easy fix.......pg

[IMG]local://upfiles/8331/4F34B9E5AFB441DB97E5665A6CD5BB68.jpg[/IMG]

Jan 28, 2008 | 12:21 PM

bugmann78

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RE: Major oil leak

Thanks for the info piniongear. Going to help him this weekend with it. Any special tools needed?

Feb 1, 2008 | 02:55 PM

bykrdan

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RE: Major oil leak

FYI, and perhaps a quick(er) fix; my 79 had similar symptoms: leaked like a basket under the sprocket, and slowly drained the primary. I was thinking the same thing, that the sprocket shaft seal was bad, but it turned out that I was missing one bolt from the gearcase cover, and all the others were loose. Once that was fixed, the leak stopped.

Feb 4, 2008 | 02:16 AM

bugmann78

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RE: Major oil leak

It only leaks when he rides. We think now its coming from the shifter shaft seal.

Feb 4, 2008 | 08:48 AM

pyro

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From: Georgia

RE: Major oil leak

How did the diagnosis go from the right side of the bike to the left side of the bike. If there is that much oil, be sure to check the oil lines themselves. In taking mine apart for other reasons, I found one of the lines had been rubbed from vibration enough towear a small hole and would quickly become big enough to let lots of oil escape. I would repeat what Grog said earlier. Clean the bike better than it's ever been cleaned before and start it up. Look for a leak before going anywhere. Give it 10 min or more to finally make itself visible. Then, if you can't find it, go for a quick ride. Keep in mind that you may have several leaks, not just one.

Rich