[twisty]

imported post

tpwood wrote:

I need some help and info please, I purchased an 87 1200 in January this year with 74K on it in great mechanical shape, prior owner kept everything up on this bike. I have 77K on it now and just noticed a samll oil leak just starting to drip a drop or 2 of oil after being parked from the rear of the boot on the front of the drive shat and it has also started to accumulate a drop of oil on the rear flange of the drive shaft where it attaches to the fianl drive. I am a mechanic so Iooked at the Haynes manual, and it said to take it to a shop basically, due to specialty tools to get into this area. I was wondering if anyone has had this problem and can help me figure this one out, if I can do this myself or take it in and about what it would cost. Thanks folks!

Tpwood, that really sounds like you have a leaking rear case cover seal (where the U-Joint exits the rear cover). There is seal pressed into the rear cover (inside that convoluted boot). Pulling the engine is one option for replacing. You could probably also remove the rear final drive & drive shaft then work that boot off & out, then try to access that rear cover seal. It might be a problem driving the new seal into the rear of the case but possibly could be done. I have only done one rear cover seal & I already had the engine out so can't help you much there.

If your oil level is over full it could be forcing oil out that rear cover seal.

Make sure it is actually engine oil & not rear gear oil, if it's gear oil you could have a leaking seal around the rear drive pinion. If that's the case you will only have to pull the rear drive unit & reseal the pinion seal.

Twisty

 

[twisty]

imported post

tpwood wrote:

Thanks, This is a big relief, it stopped leaking for now and I just changed the final drive oil, it was leaking on the exhuast cross over so it looks like the seal on the shaft. Now I know I can change this myself, I will get the seal ordered and have it on hand. Thanks so much for all of your help folks!!!

tpwood, just because it's leaking on the exhaust cross over doesn't necessarily mean it's a rear seal. If it's leaking from that front boot the oil is probably coming from that end. Any oil leaking from the rear would have to fill that torque tube to get high enough to leak from the front boot or run up hill to get to that front u-joint. If you load your bike so the torque tube is high in the rear then it could be from the rear though. Go by the smell of the oil. Gear lube has that distinct sulfur smell.

Twisty