Oil Leak

[2wheelmadman]

Has anyone had an oil leak that appears to be from where the trans bolts to the primary? It seems to be running down the backside of the primary case but I cant actually see up there but after it gets hot it collects on the bottom of the primary case and is blown onto the frame tubes and kickstand arm. Is it likely the inner primary gasket or O-ring?

 

[Mr. Wright]

On your Ridgeback, or do you have something newer?

 

[2wheelmadman]

yes its on my 2004 Ridgeback

 

[Mickmorris]

Yeah there’s a seal there that can go bad.

 

[2wheelmadman]

Is there a written procedure that you know of for replacing this seal on the 107 motor?

 

[Mickmorris]

This is what the manual gives ya. Not really detailed procedure. But I can tell you that changing that seal requires quite a bit of tear down. If you have to do it replace your drive belt while you have it tore apart if the belt is original on the ridgeback.

 

[Mickmorris]

The seal you are referring to is the bottom one in the 1st picture. You can buy the complete primary seal & gasket kit from JP Cycles. They pop right out & you just have to be very careful putting them back in. Your bike should basically look like mine did for a month.

 

[Coolbreezin]

I have a 2005 117 so this info may not apply to your . But where the starter mates to the inner primary may leak also. Confirm exactly where the leak is, it may save you a ton of work and time.

 

[Mickmorris]

The seal Coolbreezin is referring to is the top one in the 1st picture above. It also comes in the rebuild kit. Jackshaft seal.

 

[2wheelmadman]

guys, really appreciate the pics and info, I think I'll take a real close look at the jackshaft seal first like Coolbreezin suggested. Thats a major teardown for sure, If I have to do that then I'll wait for the cooler fall weather. The oil leak is just annoying at this point, not a lot of oil and none is making it to the back tire (fortunately)

 

[knothead]

On the 04 ridgeback the jackshaft seal is the one that usually always leaks if it has a leak in that area....the reason it leaks is cause it doesnt have a drain hole between the seal and the bushing inside the housing so it builds a pocket of fluid up there....i have seen a few that have the hole but only a few...but the reason that little seal will leak is because the housing doesnt have a vent in it to let the pressure out of the housing once it gets hot....so the weakest thing in the housing is that little seal and it will cause a mess....

One other possible leak before you pull it all the way apart is the chain adjuster shoe that has 2 bolts holding it on the inner primary....those threaded holes go all the way thru the housing and the threads are a little big compared to the bolts...little sloppy....so they will leak there also....i have fixed several bikes that was leaking there....silicone on the threads usually fixed them.

 

[2wheelmadman]

Great advice Knothead. I'll keep my fingers crossed that is the issue

 

[knothead]

guys, really appreciate the pics and info, I think I'll take a real close look at the jackshaft seal first like Coolbreezin suggested. Thats a major teardown for sure, If I have to do that then I'll wait for the cooler fall weather. The oil leak is just annoying at this point, not a lot of oil and none is making it to the back tire (fortunately)

Its not that major...there is several of us on here that can walk you thru it...on that particular bike its about 2 hour deal to pull it down and put back together... but with that said i have done it several times so someone that hasnt ofcourse it will take longer but not alot longer

 

[2wheelmadman]

Thanks Knothead and I will take you up on the walkthrough if its not the jackshaft seal.
I'll post here again once I get a good look at that seal area....

 

[knothead]

Thanks Knothead and I will take you up on the walkthrough if its not the jackshaft seal.
I'll post here again once I get a good look at that seal area....

Not a problem be glad to help you

 

[Twistedspoke100]

I am having the same issue, is there a breather on the primary for 05 and up bikes? I thought I read somewhere they did but I cant seem to find it.

 

[Jwooky]

I am having the same issue, is there a breather on the primary for 05 and up bikes? I thought I read somewhere they did but I cant seem to find it.

Yes, inner primary, top center facing to the right.

it’s screwed in, very fragile don’t over tighten it.

 

[BryanPratt]

Than

This is what the manual gives ya. Not really detailed procedure. But I can tell you that changing that seal requires quite a bit of tear down. If you have to do it replace your drive belt while you have it tore apart if the belt is original on the ridgeback.
View attachment 102150

Thank you for sharing this information

 

[pknowles]

Yes, inner primary, top center facing to the right.

it’s screwed in, very fragile don’t over tighten it.

And if you remove the screw holding the shift linkage it gives you a little more room to work. Also, it has a small plastic washer. Easy to misplace it.