Final drive oil leak?

[stratblue]

HI All.

Woke up to this yesterday and more this morning (see picture). The main problem is that I'm due a damn good Wilbering at Revs on Friday which will be a 240 ish mile round trip. Got someone who says he can do it this week but is it ok to even ride the bike? I understand that there is 200ml of oil and it doesn't look like that much has gone yet. If I can't get it it fixed is it ok to top it up mid trip?

 

[comberjohn]

I wouldn't.
200cc of oil on your back tyre is not a good thing either.
Is it running down the outside of FD from the centre? If it is, you're lucky. Outside seal is a quick and easy fix.
If it's running down from the wheel side of the FD. It's, um, the complete opposite. Slow and expensive. Rebuild time.

 

[UturnTony]

It's the big inner seal that's fooked. If you really have to you can ride it keeping a regular eye on the oil on the tyre and cleaning it off.
Best not though.

 

[spm0912]

I rode back from Morocco with a leaky FD. Not a pleasant experience as you can imagine. Ended up with splashing all round the wheel. Once home I dropped the oil and was surprised to find I'd only lost around 20ml. to fit a new seal the bearings are trashed in order to break the unit apart so it needs a complete rebuild anyway. Me, if the leaks not too bad I'd ride it but I'd also understand why others might be reluctant to do so.

 

[stratblue]

Looks like it's coming from the wheel side of the FD. Anyone around London who can do it this weeK?

 

[bazman]

Could be the "O" ring under speed sensor ( where you fill it up), quick wheel off to check.

 

[Bendy toy]

If you have not just had the speedo sensor out it's unlikely to have caused the leak.
How much side play do you have at the wheel?
How many miles has it done?

At 50K miles mine had within MoT limits side play when it began to leak. It quickly went from a dribble to a lubricated tyre.

Mikey did the rebuild telling me that all bearings were "ready". Having seen Patzx12 bearing pictures (of his FD bearings at less than 20K) miles) I was glad to have got it done.

Cost under £400 so you could gamble on a used FD.

 

[comberjohn]

Could be the "O" ring under speed sensor ( where you fill it up), quick wheel off to check.

Wishful thinking!
Anyone who has had FD problems always cling to this one first.

 

[comberjohn]

When my main seal gave up the ghost, one week after getting the outer seal replaced, I picked up an R9T FD with 4k miles from a breaker in the Netherlands.
Same ratios and going by the date stamp and condition, I would say the mileage was genuine.
Ordered on the Monday, arrived on the Wednesday. Even got a 'free' spare ABS sensor.
Mikey bought my knackered one to have on the shelf and the whole thing stood me around £300 in total.
Second hand FD's don't seem to fetch the same prices in Europe as here.

 

[bazman]

Wishful thinking!
Anyone who has had FD problems always cling to this one first.

Lol, I was advised to check this also, and no was fine , mine now in at LLyod Carlisle !

 

[Santa-2512]

Looks like mine needs the outer seal replacing,

Lets just hope it needs replacing due to seal wear , and not shaft play causing a weep!

 

[Bendy toy]

A sudden seal failure needs something to make it fail.
Wobbling bearing is as good as any.

 

[Santa-2512]

A sudden seal failure needs something to make it fail.
Wobbling bearing is as good as any.

Could be, but as ive never ridden another GS, i cant tell what is acceptable play

I'm geared up for the FD, Gearbox & engine failing on this one, as its the only one i didnt do my research on lol

Mart