Oil misting around rear drive boot

[Aidjay]

The rubber boot on the rear swing arm was knocked out of place by a spill on a green lane many moons back, and there was some very slight oil misting around the boot.

I'm currently en route through Africa (in Mali) and replaced the cable ties that hold the boot in place before I left Morocco; but fear I have not done this tightly enough (although I cannot make it any tighter), so the oil misting was a little more prelific than before, but not by much. It currently seems to be in check thanks largely to the dust and sand that's sticking to it, which I presume is forming a bit of seal.

My questions are:
Where does this oil come from? In a moment of panic I checked both the final drive oil level and gear box oil level, both levels are fine.

Is there a special technique for getting these cable ties on super tight?

Cheers.

 

[Ugly Cow]

Could be from drive unit or gearbox, if its just mist don't worry high oil temps = thinner oil just a small amount of oil passing a seal. The boot is to keep crap out not oil in. Have a great trip

 

[Ash]

" if its just mist don't worry high oil temps = thinner oil just a small amount of oil passing a seal. The boot is to keep crap out not oil in. Have a great trip "

i had the same a few years ago on my 1100 whilst traveling through Spain in mid summer,got back to milder climate and it stopped.
ride safe keep your eye on it and enjoy your trip.

 

[Kenny]

i had the same a few years ago on my 1100

 

[ahutcheon]

another vote for having ignored a bit of oil mist (years and tens of thousands of miles ago) without anything bad happening. other than a brick rider taking the piss at a coffee stop once. but i got over it.

 

[Steptoe]

It's the input seal in the final drive.
Don't worry about if the levels are ok in the gearbox and final drive - it's very common when riding long distances or in hot climes.

The seal breathes and there is also a sealing ring that fits in the seal which doesn't help..

 

[Packer]

Clean the top of the FD and try and find a dust free area to work. Gently lever off the black cover from the FD breather and extract the piece of sponge from inside the vent. Clean oil and replace. Be careful not to let any crud fall inside the FD. If it does change the FD oil as well.

Mine was blocked with mud after off-roading, fording, wading through flood water etc. and wasn't allowing the FD to breath too easily.

 

[Ash]

it was replaced [calm down calm down]