So, I think my oil pan gasket is leaking a bit. How difficult is this to replace? Is pulling the exhaust necessary?

Quote from: ivany on February 01, 2011, 01:18:06 PM
So, I think my oil pan gasket is leaking a bit. How difficult is this to replace? Is pulling the exhaust necessary?

exhaust needs to go... then it's about 12 bolts around the oil pan. Drain the oil, pull the bolts, replace gasket, replace exhaust.

How bad is pulling the exhaust? I'm a bit worried about the bolts that go into the head...they look very beaten up.

You have a legitimate worry about the bolts in the head.  Soak them with Kroil, PB Blaster, or Liquid Wrench, etc. for a few days before trying to remove them.

...and then run the bike till the engine is nice and warm before trying to loosen the bolts.  It might not be so bad in the end: the last time I removed some really gnarly looking bolts they basically backed right out with no effort (after the penetrant and heat of course).  Don't rush it.  It's always worth the time in the end.

Well, good news is after looking at it closer it looks like it's the RHS case cover that's doing the leaking. Which should be somewhat easier to replace. We'll see though, I might still have to do the oil pan sooner or later