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Message started by skrapiron on 09/24/07 at 13:51:45

Title: Oil leak????
Post by skrapiron on 09/24/07 at 13:51:45

After a long ride on Friday, I parked the bike and went in the house for a few hours.

When I came out later that evening, I found a small puddle of oil under the engine on the garage floor.

I mopped it up and then tried to find the source.

On both engine case housings, the bolts were loose. Not terribly loose, but around 1/4 turn loose... I snugged them up and kept poking around.

I found the oil was comming from the speedometer cable, where it connects into transmission case.

I cleaned it up, then took the cable off and inspected it.

The spindle was oily as was the interior of the cable. I cleaned them both out, then snugged it back down.

Well, after riding to work and back again, I found that the speedo cable was again wet with oil. Not soaked like last time and it wasn't dripping on the floor. But it was comming up through there none the less.

I don't think this is normal. Is it? If not, what should I look into to fix it?

Title: Re: Oil leak????
Post by youzguyz on 09/24/07 at 14:08:20

I haven't had mine disconnected, but rumor control says there is an o-ring that is notorious for falling into the hole under the starter when you pull the cable.

You might want to see if yours is still there.. and if it looks ok.

Title: Re: Oil leak????
Post by mark_k on 09/24/07 at 14:14:32

There is a flat rubber washer on the tranny side of the speedo cable. It sits around the cable housing under the knurl or finger nut. If it is not there, you will leak oil. I dropped mine onto the garage floor without knowing it the first time I pulled the tank. Fortunately stumbled across it and wondered, "Where did this come from?" Before I rode next though, I saw a post on the problem. If it is lost, you can replace it with a same sized O-Ring, or you can order another washer from www.ronayers.com

Look for a penny diameter flat rubber washer on the floor or on the bike.

Good Luck

Title: Re: Oil leak????
Post by skrapiron on 09/24/07 at 14:41:34

it's not there.

I must've lost it the last time I had the tank off (when I installed the cone filter.

I went over the parts fische a few times, and I'll be darned if I can find that o-ring listed (I looked on the speedometer, transmission and engine case sub-sections.)

Any idea what the part number would be, or can I run to my local House Despot and get a rubber washer to fit?

Title: Re: Oil leak????
Post by rokrover on 09/24/07 at 14:51:05

The OEM part is metal reinforced it seems so you can snug it down tighter. Be careful, as it seals correctly only one way, with the rubber V groove facing down.

Title: Re: Oil leak????
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/24/07 at 15:26:40

I have made an Oring to fit by cutting one down. Mine doesnt leak. Just grab an oring & a razor blad, cut at an angle, look at the size it needs to be & cut the other end to overlap the angle already cut. Orient each slice so they line up & arent twisted but overlap. Poke it up in the cup & wind it down tight.

Title: Re: Oil leak????
Post by T-Mack1 on 09/24/07 at 17:23:36

Hmmmmm ... just went thru my microfische print out (really handy thing, but tediuous to make, lots of copy & Paste into EXCEL). There is no listing for the "seal" ... Yes, seal as it is shaped just like an oil seal.

I also went thru the Factroy Service manual and no listing there either.

Title: Re: Oil leak????
Post by slavy on 09/24/07 at 21:30:54

there are couple of different ways to handle the situation. It is up to You what will you preffer.
1.You order the part , you ride the bike and the bike is leaking oil until the part comes. You install it and everything is OK.
2.You go to the hardwear store, Yoou pick up an o-ring with sutable diameter and You install it- no leak.
3. You take a piece of rubber hose with adequate diameter, You cut a small slice and You use it like an O-ring.
4. Any temporary fix / 2 or 3 / until the OEM part comes.

Or even better- You remove the starter motor /5 min/ and You find the original part under it.

Title: Re: Oil leak????
Post by SpeedyG on 09/25/07 at 04:21:53

My '07 was recently leaking enough to notice from the same place. You folks with new bikes might want to make sure the speedo cable is tight!

Keenie

Title: Re: Oil leak????
Post by skrapiron on 09/25/07 at 05:46:49

Here's what I did.

I went to Lewds Home Disprovement this morning and picked up a pack of faucet seats (rubber washers for the spigot in your bathroom.)

They each had a 1/4" hole in the center and were roughly 3/4" in diameter, 1/8" thick.

I used a 7/16" drill bit to open the center sufficient enough to allow the speedometer spindle clearance. I then pushed the washer onto a 7/16" dowel rod and used the drill and a piece of 100 grit sand paper as a lathe, turning the washer down to fit inside the cap.

I reassembled it and took it for a short ride.

So far, so good.

In the mean time, everyone has sufficiently described the washer/o-ring. Can anyone find a part number for it> ( I wasn't crazy, was I T-mack?)

Title: Re: Oil leak????
Post by thumperclone on 09/25/07 at 07:27:32

there is no part # (stealership couldnt find one either)think it comes when you order a new cable...got my o rings at the hrdwre store..lost 2 so far in 18 months!!

Title: Re: Oil leak????
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/25/07 at 09:14:56

Skrappy,, GOOD Move!

Title: Re: Oil leak????
Post by Savage_Rob on 09/25/07 at 09:53:35

skrapiron wrote:

You'll want to watch those as they're not likely compatible with petroleum products and will begin dissolving. You'll probably want something like nitrile o-rings.

Title: Re: Oil leak????
Post by skrapiron on 09/25/07 at 12:03:06

Good point, Rob.

The only thnig that may or may not make any difference is I am using 100% synthetic motor oil. There is no petroleum to degrade the rubber.

But that begs the question, what will the synthetic oil do to the natural rubber?

I think I'm going to pop over the Adavnce Auto and see what they have as far as o-rings.

I wonder if I could get nitrile o-rings for fuel injectors that might do the trick...

Title: Re: Oil leak????
Post by Savage_Rob on 09/25/07 at 13:12:54

I picked up a decent assortment or nitrile o-rings at Harbor Freight for just a few dollars.

Title: Re: Oil leak????
Post by demin on 09/25/07 at 16:20:30

I had the same problem.Went to autozone picked up a couple o rings.I was told at stealership you can only get the replacement with a new cable.Which I did,needed new cable anyhow.