After fixing for about the 7th time the drip coming from the neutral switch I saw a drop hanging from underneath the shifter shaft seal on the Gray Ghost and of course no spares in my stash so I ordered some to have on hand.
(https://i.postimg.cc/cCkZZQ9v/20260409-153224.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PvD0Q8kH)
They came in today so I got my hook and pulled the old (1100 miles on it) one out.
I saw no evidence of damage to the seal or shaft. It was marked Athena which checks because it was part of the seal kit that came from AZ Quad Parts for the 421 conversion.
(https://i.postimg.cc/NfL2Xbcf/20260409-154302.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hfWGWLvH)
OEM Yamaha seal installed. I got a q-tip and very carefully put a very thin film of black silicone sealant on the outside edge of the new seal and some saran wrap on the splines and drove it home gently with a piece of PVC. All appears to be well.
I put the cover on and reinstalled the shift linkage. Time will tell.
Then as I was looking it over I discovered the LH fork seal seeping.
I hate leaks. All Balls fork seals ordered.
lower end seepage is a condition of a certain age. or so i hear. glad you got it capped off
Indeed it is..
:metal:
Quote from: m in sc on April 10, 2026, 10:55:17 AMlower end seepage is a condition of a certain age. or so i hear. glad you got it capped off
Uh, we're still talking about Tim's RZ, right? 'Cause I just noticed last night that my forearms look like my grandpa's, and I'm just not ready for any more aging symptoms right now. :dead:
My LC leaked oil at the gear change shaft from new in 1984. I had it replaced several times, but it kept coming back. Seems to be just the way it is with these gearboxes and seals. Really annoying, you'd think Yamaha could do a better job.
I had ph call w tim earlier. im betting it's something else. I have a prediction but will wait till he checks it.
(https://i.postimg.cc/YqXSssTH/20260411-123609.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YhWk4bpn)
After consulting with M in SC regarding the elusive leak he suggested that it was likely coming from the collar migrating out through the splines that goes under the counter-shaft. As predicted I noted a very light film of gear oil on the back of the sprocket and a drop hanging on the case under the seal .
(https://i.postimg.cc/7YjFh12S/20260411-123617.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3dCSbv9w)
The prescribed fix is a thin film of case sealant on the face of the spacer, then reinstall.
(https://i.postimg.cc/5tPdxhqS/20260411-124257.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8Frn4nY7)
For good measure I put some sealant on the sprocket where it buts up against the collar.
(https://i.postimg.cc/SR6gK8b4/20260411-124250.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PvqW3CqV)
And painted a thin film on the bottom half of the case at the seal just in case although I don't think that is where it is coming from. The bike is on the lift for yet another fork seal job and I won't know if we got a good fix until it sets on the side stand over night.
(https://i.postimg.cc/jSdgpHhh/20260411-150957.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BXkBD1k8)
Forks off.
(https://i.postimg.cc/wBzTyYmX/20260411-143236.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YvXwZV80)
Retainer clips removed. 120 PSI in the air valve and the seals come right out.
All Balls seals on order. Be here in a day or two.
(https://i.postimg.cc/rsJb9Fsk/20260414-163947.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YLvbr7Qn)
Almost done.
Having the air valve fork caps speeds things up with the seal removal. :affirmation:
Yes it does. Most of the time they pop right out. I have in the past had to resort to the heat gun on the fork lowers for stubborn ones.
Put 50 miles on today in 90 degree plus temperature. Ran great. Max temp stopped in traffic was 183. Running hard on the back roads stayed between 170 and 173. No leaks noted thus far. Fingers crossed.