Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Oil Leak from clutch?

My clutch started feeling funny them I smelled oil, looked down and oil was slinging from where the clutch lever enters the gear box. I was able to push in down and make it home but after pulling clutch 2 or 3 times it raised back up and leaks oil. Is this an easy fix or big bucks?? Thanks for any help.

I think you may just have to replace the seal, takes a little tricky wrench work but it isn't a major job. Seal, new gasket, some patience. As long as the case isn't compromised...then that's a whole different issue.

The thing that you pushed back in is a shaft that has a flat spot ground in it. When you pull lever, shaft rotates and the flat spot pushes on a pin that pushes the clutch. There is nothing holding that thing in except where the pin rides in that flat spot. If the spring (#3 in the picture) breaks or comes out of the hole, shaft will rotate past the flat spot and the lifter arm and shaft will come right out. You will need a new left side cover gasket, its not re-useable. Also, take care when you pull cover. Starter gear is on a loose shaft that is held in place by the cover.

Bikebandit schematic

Just noticed your other post. If someone had clutch apart for some reason and put it back together with plate backwards (#10 in schematic), it will allow too much travel and let shaft over rotate and the whole thing will pop apart when clutch lever pulled. Don't ask me how I gained this knowlege.

Bikebandit clutch picture

change seal where rod goes into case lean the bike on right side remove old seal using screwdriver put new seal on rod push it into case using some socket (is good to put old seal betwin socket and new seal avoiding making damage to new one )5 minute job no case removal needed and when bike is leaned oil will not come out hope it helps

Is it just the seal popping up?

yep its available from outside the case really easy job still have unused gasket for clutch case

I will try the seal first. I went to bikebandit.com but it did not show a seal on the breakdown?

Misunderstood your first post as there was no mention of the seal. #7 here.

Thanks Lonzo. I had already ordered the spring and clutch cover gasket but I will order the seal and try it first.

Are you sure you can pull the shaft out and replace it without having to remove the cover??? I thought the return spring would go for a walk!

Maybe they are talking about lower down where shifter rod goes into case. Lifter arm shaft seal would have to be split to change it without taking cover off. Maybe it is, dunno.

Would like to says thanks for all the advice from all you that replied. I finally got all the parts in (clutch cover gasket, spring & Dust Seal) and installed them last night. This was my 1st surgery on my TBA. All went smooth and that took care of the leak. The problem was the spring. It was not broke but it was letting the clutch bar turn too far and raise up out of the cover, causing oil to sling out. Went ahead and installed new spring since I had it anyway. Can't wait to get home from work today to ride!!!!!!!! Ordered parts from bikebandit.com by the way and recieved them in about 2 wks.