Oil leak near kickstand, GL1100

3163 Views 17 Replies 11 Participants Last post by FitzAl, Oct 25, 2009

dgreene

Discussion Starter · Sep 27, 2009

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I noticed a small oil leak on my 1982 GL1100 near the kickstand. I have chrome side plates that make it difficult to see the engine in this area. My kickstand has oil on it. When I park in the garage after a ride, a few drops of oil will leave a spot on the floor about the size of a 1/2 dollar.

Is this something I can ignore? Is there something that bolts on in this area thatneeds a seal replaced? This area that is leaking is toward the back of the bike a few inches from the shifter. It looks like the starter is in this area.

Thanks

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boxcar43

· #2 · Sep 27, 2009

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there are severl places in that area that oil could come from .1seal on shifter altenator housing gasket could be valve cover gasket pull your chrome and check it out carefully Stop a problem before it creates a larger problem.Good luck

Bamaeagle

· #3 · Sep 27, 2009

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Leaking any fluids is not a good thing.

You need to check it closely and find the leak.

mansfieldwinger

· #4 · Sep 28, 2009

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I have a similar problem with my 89 Wing. I suspect mine is the shaft shifter seal. Even after you remove the plastic and metal covers HOW do you get to this area to replace the seal? I don't have a motorcycle lift so it seems pretty difficult to get at it.

William_86

· #5 · Sep 28, 2009

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sorry, no shortcuts, only way here is to take all your chrome off, wash engine with degreaser and water then you will see where exactly is the oil coming from.

dgreene

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 28, 2009

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There is only a few of weeks left for riding in Ohio and this is a very small leak, so I think I’ll ignore it until winter.
I find an occasional small spot on the floor, but it’s just a few drops. It does not seem to be continuous drip. I’ll wipe the underside of the bike and in the morning it is still dry. The previous owner mentioned the bike was over filled with oil when he received it, and I understand there is a canister that holds anything expelled from the crankcase breather. I was hoping that maybe this container had just over flowed due to excessive oil in the crankcase. This isn’t a very realistic hope I’m sure. I’ve been checking the oil and it doesn’t seem to be low, so I should be able to at least finish the season. I’ve driven cars for years that have had small leaks around the valve covers etc. I’m really not sure why this is bothering me so much.

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Bike...and Dennis

· #7 · Sep 28, 2009

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Shift shaft seal is the most likely suspect. If it's dripping it's an advanced problem and it ain't gonna get any better. Pull it apart and start looking. Remember, oil moves in strange ways...when wind is involved.

dgreene

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 28, 2009

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Is the shift shaft seal hard to replace?

Bike...and Dennis

· #9 · Sep 28, 2009

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dgreene wrote:

Is the shift shaft seal hard to replace?

No.

daveman

· #10 · Sep 28, 2009

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Mine weeps from the clutch cover at the back....didn't get all of the old material off at the top before I put it all back together...leaves a drop or 2 each night to remind me of yet another winter fix

sfruechte

· #11 · Sep 28, 2009

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Oil coming from the water pump weep hole and the starter o-ring can also find its way to this area. Clean it up and take off whatever covers are necessary. You want to fix the right thing.

mansfieldwinger

· #12 · Oct 24, 2009

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To Bike...and Dennis: Can you elaborate on your "No" response to dgreene's question "Is the shift shaft seal hard to replace?" I believe dgreene was looking for more...like maybe HOW to replace the shifter seal. I would like to know also.

82gl1100iWingman

· #13 · Oct 24, 2009

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I just replaced the camshaft seals on my 1100 for the same type of leak. With the bike on the center stand, lay on your back on the floor and look up and see the trail of oil from whence it came from. If there is an excessive build of grease and grime, go get some Gunk engine cleaner and spray the ENTIRE area of grease and gunk. Take an old toothbrush and scrubbed the area CLEAN. Once clean try again. Start thebike while it is on it's center stand and watch for where the oil is coming from.

Bike...and Dennis

· #14 · Oct 24, 2009

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mansfieldwinger wrote:

To Bike...and Dennis: Can you elaborate on your "No" response to dgreene's question "Is the shift shaft seal hard to replace?" I believe dgreene was looking for more...like maybe HOW to replace the shifter seal. I would like to know also.

OK...it's this simple though.

Clean the area you'll be working on.

Take the shifter lever off the shaft. (10mm box wrench)

Carefully remove the old seal. (pointed object)

Clean the sealing surfaces and apply some lubricant.

Put some masking tape around the splines of the shift shaft to protect the new seal.

Install new seal by tapping it in. (seal set or 12mm deep socket & small rubber hammer)

Replace shifter lever. (10mm box)

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rgbeard

· #15 · Oct 24, 2009

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An oil spot the size of a half-dollar is pretty good-sized. Especially for a Goldwing.

On my Jaguars I'd consider that a leak worth inspecting!!

:cheeky1: :cheeky1: :cheeky1: :cheeky1: :cheeky1: :cheeky1: :cheeky1:

dgreene

Discussion Starter · #16 · Oct 24, 2009

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Thanks guys

I am new to road biking and am still leaning what is normal on an old motorcycle and what to be concerned about. If my Olds Cutlass a left a small spot in the garage, I would ignore it. Old cars tend to leak a little around the valve cover gaskets etc. I'm not a picky person, just a little paranoid because I'm new to this.

rgbeard

· #17 · Oct 24, 2009

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I hear ya. I have a '67 Jaguar 420 (pictured here) that needs the engine removed to replace a front and rear seal. I let it drip a little. It's "personality" until I have to do engine-out for some other reason.

But the Wing is so easy to maintain, with almost everything that could be causing your problem a few minutes away from being fixed, you really need to find the source and fix it rather than let your bike turn in to an oil leaking POS. The wife will want it gone, you'll have a messy underneath for no reason, its value goes down, your driveway/garage will look icky. It's all so preventable with this vehicle.

Valve cover gaskets are readily available (bikebandit.com, cheapcycleparts.com) as are the seals around the securing bolts. Shift lever seals change in a few minutes. Don't re-use anything rubber. That'll make an oil leak that wasn't there before.

Just roll up your sleeves, get your good glasses out, and find the real source.

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FitzAl

· #18 · Oct 25, 2009

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This sounds like shifter shaft seal, especially as it just leaks a bit andthen stops. Easy to replace like Dennis says, be careful not to damage the new seal on the shaft splines. Put a wrap of tape on the splines and lubricate the tape/shaft so the new seal slides on easily.

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