Oil in final drive gaiter.

[cc mac]

Just noticed a tiny bit of oil had dripped from the rear drive gaiter. I pulled it free and a load of oil came out, luckily I caught it with a rag so it didn't go all over the wheel.
I only changed the oil in the rear drive last weekend. I haven't yet checked the oil level to see if it is low. Two weeks ago I had the oil seals replaced in the gearbox.
1. Is it likely to be the oil seal in the rear drive?
2. Is it at all possible that it is from the gearbox?
3. Is it an expensive job?
4. Anyone know of any good mechanics in the North West?
5. If I need to ride the bike to get it fixed is this not recommended?

I will need the bike for the trip to Garmisch.

[bigblackfalco]

check oil levels in both the gearbox and final drive to find the culprit.
Both seals are known to leak, but as you had the gearbox one done recently, common sense would suggest it's not that one.
But also, if the condition has come on suddenly (i.e. you never noticed any kind of weep before) that it could be that the gearbox seal was not put in properly.
Let us know.
Bailey.

[Me-109]

You can check if it is the gearbox seal by popping off the gaiter on the back of the gearbox and looking for oil, or by doing the same with the final drive gaiter and looking (often with the aid of a torch and small mirror) up the inside of the swingarm to see how far up the oil goes. The further up the oil is the more likely it is the gearbox seal. Obviously this is far easier if you just drop the bevel box off the back

[Cobbster]

Hi all,

How easy is it to drop the bevel box off the back??. I'm not getting oil seeping out but the gaiter is looking a bit perished and I'd like to replace it.

Cheers, cobbster.

[cc mac]

Checked the bevel and the oil level was fine. The gearbox needed 150ml to top it up. This is after having the gearbox seals done 2 weeks ago costing me £725.
Should Colwyn Bay Motorcycles replace the seal free of charge or do you think they might argue the toss?
I will give them a call in the morning.
Time is now running out for the Garmisch trip.

[gus]

After paying THAT much money i would be parked up outside there first thing .Either a crap seal or wrongly installed.Either way ,they should fix it asap or give you a loaner to go away on.£725 ! I,m in the wrong trade!
gus

[winger]

And just think!!! you did MR Sheens for nothing!!!!

[Ade B]

Hi all,

How easy is it to drop the bevel box off the back??. I'm not getting oil seeping out but the gaiter is looking a bit perished and I'd like to replace it.

Cheers, cobbster.

If its perished then I'd replace it sharpish - mine had a tiny hole in it and was letting water in, which resulted in a rusty drive shaft seized onto the gearbox output splines and possibly related to early input shaft demise.

But for the generousity of a fellow trixter, it would have cost a shit load.

Remember its a maintenance free shaft drive

Ade

[gus]

And just think!!! you did MR Sheens for nothing!!!!

Well i got a new torque wrench and he has been a diamond in helping me out with other things.
Your in some serious credit by the way!
If you cant help a mate out when needs must,what can you do?
gus

[bigblackfalco]

Checked the bevel and the oil level was fine. The gearbox needed 150ml to top it up. This is after having the gearbox seals done 2 weeks ago costing me £725.
Should Colwyn Bay Motorcycles replace the seal free of charge or do you think they might argue the toss?
I will give them a call in the morning.
Time is now running out for the Garmisch trip.

They've obviously done something wrong or not at all. I can't believe you paid that much. How many hours labour is that?? 8 or 10 hours I should imagine?

[bigblackfalco]

And just think!!! you did MR Sheens for nothing!!!!

I heard that from various sources, but I didn't want to believe what I heard. Gus we realise that times are hard mate, but but doing 'it' for nothing is not the answer. Lord knows what you may catch (especially up there in the tropics). Make sure you use some protection for god's sake.
Love mum. x

[winger]

And just think!!! you did MR Sheens for nothing!!!!

Well i got a new torque wrench and he has been a diamond in helping me out with other things.
Your in some serious credit by the way!
If you cant help a mate out when needs must,what can you do?
gus

Best thing of all, it was a bloody good job.

[CAS]

If its the final drive seal I would leave well alone, peel the gaiter back mop the oil & keep a check on the level. Thats what most 1100RS owners do as they seam to be prone to failing as well. I made the mistake of tring to change it, was unable to even with a professional workshop, ended up getting a 2nd hand final drive off ebay.

[gus]

And just think!!! you did MR Sheens for nothing!!!!

I heard that from various sources, but I didn't want to believe what I heard. Gus we realise that times are hard mate, but but doing 'it' for nothing is not the answer. Lord knows what you may catch (especially up there in the tropics). Make sure you use some protection for god's sake.
Love mum. x

Thank you for your concern, i give you the next one gratis as your a long standing punter in the worlds oldest profession.
Love dad. XXX

[Jason M]

If its the final drive seal I would leave well alone, peel the gaiter back mop the oil & keep a check on the level. Thats what most 1100RS owners do as they seam to be prone to failing as well. I made the mistake of tring to change it, was unable to even with a professional workshop, ended up getting a 2nd hand final drive off ebay.

I agree - my GS is pissing oil through the rear drive seal but I can't be arsed to fix it at the moment. It's been doing it for 1000's of miles - just top it up and don't worry about it for you upcoming trip. Carry a little with you and jobs a goodun

As for 725 - that sounds quite cheap from what I've heard

Jason