Real simple questions...

- is it possible to replace the output shaft oil seal in an RVF engine WITHOUT splitting the crankcases?

- if yes, how do I go about it please?

- finally, am I pissed off at this leaking oil?

Ta.

Its a lipped seal so the crank cases will have to be split.

I have seen one ripped out, a new one beaten in and loads of compound slung all over though. That didnt require the cases to be split

RVF wrote:Its a lipped seal so the crank cases will have to be split.

Damn. I was afraid that was the answer...

I have seen one ripped out, a new one beaten in and loads of compound slung all over though. That didnt require the cases to be split

Given I am wanting to ride the bike this year and don't fancy, basicly what amounts to, rebuilding the entire engine before I do, how does this sound...

Rip the old one out, remove the lip on the new one using a dremel or similar, press the new one in, make some kind of retainer plate to stop it falling out. Would you reckon that's feasible without being excessively cowboy?

Go get your horse

could you not get a seal the same size but without the lip from a bearing suppliers? on my other bikes the seal is just pressed in the cases so dont think it would pop out easily.
Cheers
Ian

RVF wrote:Go get your horse

Already grazing... there is no way I'm stripping the engine almost entirely to replace one seal, so the old one was dug out last night and a replacement OE one is on order. On Friday I'll remove the lip and bash it in place - using the appropriate sized drift, naturally. If it works, good - if not, then...

Removing the engine to replace that seal isn't an engine rebuild. Sure, lots of work, but not a rebuild. essentially once the engine is out, you flip it upside down, remove all the clutch, stator, oil pump parts, and split the cases. clean up the cases, apply new sealant around the cases, reinstall cases.

it will require some new gaskets for the oil pan, side covers, etc. but so long as you don't move the crank, timing will be fine.

then reinstall the engine. again more work than you want to do, but not a rebuild.

You MUST split the crancase I have seen failure of this when someone removed the lip and glued a new seal back in. It is posible to strip the crankase without removing the top end can be done in a few hours. I sell Bearings for the output shaft at the end as they are no longer available from HONDA if interested.