While trying to access the alternator I opened the left side cover on my new '89. About one pint of oil poured out.  That can't be normal!  Anyone know what could have caused this?   

This was discovered while trying to replace the alternator, which hasn't been charging the battery.  I guess I now know why.  The engine ran fine, but I guess everything wasn't well with it.

After checking some other threads, it looks like this area should have oil in it.  Can someone please comment on this?

Yup, there should be oil in there.

You might want to pick up a service manual.

You might want to check other threads and or search for the sort of thing you are doing before opening the engine up...barging in with no idea what matters, you can really screw things up without being aware that you did anything other than open it up and put it back together "exactly the way (you think) it was" - or you miss some subtle step in opening things up which only becomes obvious after something has broken.

Sorry to ask such a basic question, but the Clymers made no mention of oil.

Quote from: Juan1 on July 22, 2008, 08:41:40 PM
Sorry to ask such a basic question, but the Clymers made no mention of oil.

I agree that Clymer is a bit vague. The section discussing removal of the right-hand crankcase cover explicitly says to drain the engine oil; the left-hand crankcase section does not say this. I guess you might have known because of the sealing gasket described in the section?

Oh well... live and learn! 

Quote from: Juan1 on July 22, 2008, 08:41:40 PM
Sorry to ask such a basic question, but the Clymers made no mention of oil.

yes, the clymer and the haynes do not mention this.  Oil is normal. mine poured about 1000 mL of oil in center stand.

Yea put the bike on some old tires on the right side.
Cool.
Buddha.

Quote from: Juan1 on July 22, 2008, 07:04:15 PM
While trying to access the alternator I opened the left side cover on my new '89. About one pint of oil poured out.  That can't be normal!  Anyone know what could have caused this?   

This was discovered while trying to replace the alternator, which hasn't been charging the battery.  I guess I now know why.  The engine ran fine, but I guess everything wasn't well with it.

Totaly normal and the oil wont affect the alternator winding....... It depends on the oil to cool it when its energised.