How do I get to the front sprocket?

[Jerka]

I know it is a stupid question and I'm sure it is really easy, I just want to make sure I know what I'm doing before I start pulling things off of the bike.  I just want to take a look at it and clean it up a little.

Thanks.

[GeeP]

Look on the left side of the engine, near the back.  See where the clutch cable enters?  Remove that cover (about 5-6 bolts).  There you go!

While you're in there, clean out all the gunk and nasty old chain lube that collects in the bottom. 

(optional)  Disassemble the clutch cam mechanism in the left cover, clean, lubricate, reassemble.  Lots of gunk and grit gets in there and makes the clutch feel "crunchy".

Buy a Clymer's manual too!   

[gsJack]

Take the shift lever off first.

[GeeP]

Take the shift lever off first.

Ooops!  Duh!   

[ben2go]

You don't have to worry about pulling the little cover off with 2 philips head screws.

[gsJack]

You don't have to worry about pulling the little cover off with 2 philips head screws.

That really needs to be adjusted right once in some cases, there's an adjustment for freeplay for the pushrod under that cover.  I bought my 97 GS new and it was way loose and difficult to get a good clutch lever freeplay adjustment that would hold until I set that right.  Loosen locknut and turn in slotted screw until freeplay is removed and back off quarter turn and lock again.  You loose a lot of the screw action that the lever uses to push the pushrod if there is too much clearance there.

[yamahonkawazuki]

jack is god here btw 

[Jerka]

You don't have to worry about pulling the little cover off with 2 philips head screws.

That really needs to be adjusted right once in some cases, there's an adjustment for freeplay for the pushrod under that cover.  I bought my 97 GS new and it was way loose and difficult to get a good clutch lever freeplay adjustment that would hold until I set that right.  Loosen locknut and turn in slotted screw until freeplay is removed and back off quarter turn and lock again.  You loose a lot of the screw action that the lever uses to push the pushrod if there is too much clearance there.

So I pulled the cover off last night and clean everything up inside there.  Now I have another question...there was a rod in there about 4" long that came out of the engine when I pulled the cover off.  I pulled it out of the cover too and cleaned the dirt off of it and when I looked at the engine to put the rod back, it was dripping some oil from the little hole where the rod goes into the engine.  Is that normal?  What does that rod do?  Is that what Jack is talking about adjusting? 

Thanks.

[dgyver]

That is the clutch push rod. If the seal is dripping oil then it is bad. Not difficult to replace but it can be left alone since they never completely fail. Dirt from the push rod causes them to wear out.

[Jerka]

Well, let me elaborate.  It only dripped/oozed oil when I was trying to put it back in and hit the edge of the seal with the push rod.  I didn't have it centered and I caught the edge.  It oozed about a teaspoon of oil if that and then stopped and seemed to be fine once I got the rod back in.  Is this something I need to worry about/keep checking on or should I just let it go?

[dgyver]

That is normal. Nothing to worry about.