My GS leaks oil on the alternator side of the engine. The problem is that I still can't see where it comes from. It just seems to come from everywhere. I suspect the shifter shaft seal but since everything is covered in oil from the front of the engine (oil-pan) to the centerstand and the jiffy, even the rearshock and linkage ere getting covered in oil now.

The question is: can you replace the shifter shaft seal wtihout opening the engine? I can see it's possible with the seal of the clutch pushrod, but I don't see a similar construction around the shifter shaft.

kick  

I doubt it is coming from the shifter shaft seal. There isn't any pressurized oil in that area. I think you could replace the shifter shaft seal with the cases together - let me check tonight.

The alternator cover gasket is a more likely culprit. I had a leak on the right side that I couldn't figure out where it was coming from. Oil was everywhere over that side of the bike. Once I replaced the drive cover gasket, it was cured.

Thnx  for the tip. I'll look at the alternator cover gasket more closely. I noticed that on top of the sprocket cover there is an oil spray. You can see fine drops of oil everywhere.  I think itś the chain spraying around the oil. The oil also gets on the chain (I rarely have too oil it now ) If the spray was from a pressurised area the oil level would have dropped pretty quick I think.

When I put the bike away it will leak 2 drops on the floor and then it stops.

Lars,

I checked on a disassembled engine I have, and the good news is that you can replace the shifter shaft seal without splitting the cases, or even removing the engine from the frame. The bad news is, I think the only way to do it is to pull the clutch cover, the clutch, and the shifter mechnism. You can then pull the shifter shaft out, and by mangling the old seal, you could get it out. The new one would be a straight tap in.

I still think it is far more likely to be the alternator cover. There are high pressure oil passages along it's seal for the countershaft bearing, and lots of stuff chucking oil around. The shift shaft will be submerged even when stopped, so if the leaking stops when the engine is off, I think it has to be the cover.

You were right Today I pulled off the sprocket cover and the countersprocket to get a close look at everything.  When I let the engine rev to 6000 rpm, I could  see oil sputtering from the top of the alternator cover.  Tomorrow I'm going to get a new gasket.

Great! Easy fix.

I have to replace this as well. My bike leaks consistently. Already replaced alternator side gasket. Is there no other way to do it besides removing clutch cover?? I see in the manual where it is, but the manual does not say how to replace it. It just talks about taking the shifter shaft seal out. Is that why you say you have to remove the clutch cover and pull the shifter shaft out?

I've also seen posts where people say the seal is falling out and they push it back in. So how do you all do it?

BOTH?

-Patrick

anyone?

You can drill two small holes in those gaskets and insert parker screws, then pull the gasket out. Never done it myself, but apparently that works.