Mechanics please help (pics)

[South East Rocket]

My bike's been leaking for a couple a months now.  Since, it's cold I decided to tackle the issue.
Here's what I think is going on:   the little metal piece sticking out (something to do with the cutch I assume) is where the leak originates.  I think that the gasket is falty.  Here's the pic.  Sorry it's just a camera phone so the resolution isnt that great.




Of course the head gasket is leaking also (very slightly)...  I removed it and found this white stuff on it  (probably some sealer)  I'm going to buy a new gasket soon and wanted to know what the best way to avoid leak is when I go to install it?
Here's the pic for this one too.

[Rema1000]

That's the valve cover gasket.  Best way to avoid a leak is probably to use less sealant.  Personally, I put a small smear of rubber cement in the half-moon cutouts on top of the engine.  Then I leave the rest with zero sealant.  Some people put 4 little spots of sealant in the groove on the underside of the valve cover, so that the cover holds the gasket while you position it.

But basically, less is more.

Surface prep is also big.  Rub down the mating surface on the engine very thoroughly.  If there is a dark spot left from the old gasket rubber, keep rubbing, even if the metal already seems smooth.  Your idea of smooth and pressurized oil's idea of smooth are different!

Regarding leaking around the shift lever; it often appears that there is a leak there, when really the chain is just dripping grease and dirt.  But maybe you are getting enough oil to be sure.

[sprint_9]

Heck you might be able to reuse that valve cover gasket.  Just use a little sealant around the perimiter of the gasket and you should be good.  Just be sure not to use too much, I used too much last time I did it and found chunks of it in my engine, so now I need to open the bottom end and see if there is any debris in the oil strainer.  This time when I reinstalled it I used a tooth pick to put a very small amount around the surface so I wont have any excess sealer get squeazed into the engine.  Id try clean as much sealant off of that gasket then just add a little bit of new sealant on there, then if it still leaks buy a new gasket, its worth the shot, those gaskets are like $35.

[Rema1000]

Heck you might be able to reuse that valve cover gasket.

That's what I did.  I sat in front of the TV for an hour, with some damp papertowel and the old gasket.  I just kept working it with the paper towel, round and round in a circle.  The rubber flexes, but the old sealant will crumble.  By the time I was done, there wasn't any of the old sealant left.

[scratch]

The first photo is the clutch rod seal, pretty easy to replace; remove the rod and work out the seal from the inside out so as to not gouge the edges.

[South East Rocket]

The first photo is the clutch rod seal, pretty easy to replace; remove the rod and work out the seal from the inside out so as to not gouge the edges.

But what about replacing it?   How should I go about that?

[South East Rocket]

[scratch]

The picture you posted above is for the shift shaft. Are you saying the leak is coming from the shift shaft?

If not, then I can answer your question in the previous post: remove the sprocket, remove the plate covering the seal, simply grab the clutch rod with your hand and withdraw it. Now to remove the seal I used a tool:
http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6866&highlight=snapon
The seal is just rubber in the middle and has a thin metal reinforcement around the edge, I utilized the tool to just pull on the metal, working it around the circumference of the seal to work it out evenly. You'll see what I mean, what you have to work with, when you get the new seal.

I haven't replaced the shift shaft seal on this bike, so I don't have any details to help you.

[South East Rocket]

[scratch]

Yep, that's your clutch rod seal. Must be leaking. You should replace that.  

See instructions in my previous post. Good luck!

[South East Rocket]

Yep, that's your clutch rod seal. Must be leaking. You should replace that.  

See instructions in my previous post. Good luck!

Which instructions are you talking about?   You mentioned two different issue

[scratch]

remove the sprocket, remove the plate covering the seal, simply grab the clutch rod with your hand and withdraw it. Now to remove the seal I used a tool:
http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6866&highlight=snapon
The seal is just rubber in the middle and has a thin metal reinforcement around the edge, I utilized the tool to just pull on the metal, working it around the circumference of the seal to work it out evenly. You'll see what I mean, what you have to work with, when you get the new seal.

This one.