How to Replace the Oil Seal Gear Shift Lever in a Motorcycle
Transmission fluid leaking from your motorcycle most often indicates the oil seal at the shift lever needs to be replaced. Typical signs of a bad seal are traces of fluid on the face of the gearbox cover and drops of fluid on the pavement where you park the bike. The seal consists of a metallic casing that fits into a recess behind the shift lever and a rubber seal that encloses the gearbox shaft. Gear shifter seals differ in diameter and thickness. Obtain the seal that's specific to the year and model of your motorcycle.
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Things You'll Need
- Metric socket and ratchet
- Metric hex wrench
- Shop rags
- Large screwdriver
- Pry screwdriver
- Sheet metal screw
- Screwdriver
- Pliers
- Gear shifter seal
Instructions
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1
Park the motorcycle on its center stand or the kickstand. Loosen the compression bolt at the base of the gearshift lever. Depending on the motorcycle, loosen the bolt with a metric socket and ratchet or a metric hex wrench.
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2
Wrap a shop rag around the gearbox shaft between the lever and the gearbox cover to prevent scratching the cover. Pry the lever off the shaft with a large screwdriver to access the seal.
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3
Remove the seal from the recess by working the tip of a pry screwdriver between the metal casing and the rim of the gearbox recess. If this is not successful, drive a sheet metal screw fully into the face of the rubber seal with a screwdriver and remove the seal by pulling on the end of the screw with pliers.
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4
Clean any residual fluid at the gearbox recess with a shop rag.
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5
Position the new seal at the gearbox shaft with the rubber facing out. Push the new seal over the gearbox shaft and into the recess by hand. Tap the face of the seal with the butt of the screwdriver handle to seat the seal into the recess.
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Position the base of the gear shifter lever at the gearbox shaft with the toe of the lever facing the front of the motorcycle. Tap the lever onto the shaft with the butt of the screwdriver handle. Tighten the compression bolt with the socket and ratchet or the hex wrench.
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Tips & Warnings
It might be necessary to remove certain components to replace a shifter seal. Always refer to your service manual beforehand.
Check the fluid level and fill the gearbox, if necessary.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
