Rear Wheel / right side oil splatter

[verngroves]

I have a 2000 Standard just turned 70,000 miles. I have what look like oil splatter on the rear rim. Any clues as to how to fix? I'm not the best mechanic but I am teachable. I've learned a bunch from you folks. And I've tackled things I never would have before. So thanks.

Thanks in advance.

Vern

[Leathel]

Is there any sign of oil coming out the final drive vent?

I had that on my shadow so replaced the oil with synthetic and no more issue

[indybobm]

Have you done anything around the rear wheel lately?

[Beardo]

Mine was leaking out the bottom of the final drive, there's a seal in there that you can replace if that's it. It's easy to replace but you have to remove the rear wheel to get to it. It's like a $10 seal.

[Chrisj CMA]

Simple things first.  Check oil level in final drive and make sure the fill and drain plugs are not loose and leaking.

[verngroves]

Hopefully have a chance sometime tomorrow evening to check out some of your suggestions. Thanks for all your responses.

[gordonv]

It is most likely oil coming out of the grease from the splines. Clean it. When it comes back, is it less, or just as much?

Like mentioned, inspect your rear oil level. Don't over tighten the fill plug.

[verngroves]

Well, I looked at the fluid level. I took off the cap and stuck my finger in there and the level was right there....not overfull. But looking underneath the final gear case the bottom was covered with oil. And the bottom of the whatever you call the black band is also got oil on it. So, it looks as though it's coming from there.

I'm thinking the seal that was mentioned. If I pull the wheel, what's the procedure to get to that seal or o ring?

[hubcapsc]

Here's the seal, it is easy to replace... if it is your problem, I
guess it will be pretty obvious that the oil is coming from there
when you can see the backside of it like this:



The black ring comes off with just that one bolt, I had mine off this
weekend, makes it easy to get everything clean before you put it
back together...

The seal should be this thing, about 10 dollars: 91265-MY3-003

-Mike

[Beardo]

You can replace the seal just by taking off the wheel, you don't have to fully remove the final drive. Having a lift would make it much easier. But if you don't have a lift, or if you haven't checked/greased your driveshaft and pinion cup in a while, you might as well undo the 4 final drive bolts and do the full service.

You'll want to also replace the 3 o-rings and grease your splines while you're in there. Shoptalk section has all the info you need to do that.

Getting the old seal out, you can screw a screw into it and pull it out. Make sure you just put the new one in flush, not too far. I was warned of this when I did mine.

[98valk]

grease is oil held on suspension. under certain conditions and during normal use the oil will come out of the spline grease and drip down.

simple test. smell the oil. does it smell like gear oil, then u know its the seal. If not then its the spline grease.

[verngroves]

What are the 'certain conditions' that oil will come out of the spline grease and drip down? I don't quite get that.

[98valk]

What are the 'certain conditions' that oil will come out of the spline grease and drip down? I don't quite get that.

too much was applied during installation.
grease doing its job, letting oil out to lubricate due to excessive heat under certain operational conditions. overloaded, pulling a trailer, up a mountain during high ambient temps, any combination of these.

[hubcapsc]

What are the 'certain conditions' that oil will come out of the spline grease and drip down? I don't quite get that.

After you shmooie up the flange with moly-paste, it can fling out. I guess
if you went way overboard, it could fling out and get on your wheel. I can't
see it happening except for right after putting it in there though... ?



-Mike

[indybobm]

Well, I looked at the fluid level. I took off the cap and stuck my finger in there and the level was right there....not overfull.

Just curious, when you checked the oil level, was the bike on the side stand? It should be at the bottom of the threads with the bike standing straight up.

[Valker]

Well, I looked at the fluid level. I took off the cap and stuck my finger in there and the level was right there....not overfull.

Which cap?

[Valkpilot]

Here's the seal, it is easy to replace... if it is your problem, I
guess it will be pretty obvious that the oil is coming from there
when you can see the backside of it like this:



The black ring comes off with just that one bolt, I had mine off this
weekend, makes it easy to get everything clean before you put it
back together...

The seal should be this thing, about 10 dollars: 91265-MY3-003

-Mike

If and when you replace that seal, do not push it in past flush with the case.  It will leak if you do.  It actually should sit a little proud of the case, but no deeper than flush.

[verngroves]

The cap I pulled was the upper one. The one where you fill from. Also, it was pretty much up straight when I checked it. I'd placed enough lift under the kickstand to make that happen.

I've wiped it all down and will ride it again whenever the weather is appropriate and get back with you all on how or if it continues to leak. If it leaks, I'll pull the real wheel off and all apart to replace at least that one seal. Probably will do all the necessary seals while I'm in there. Thanks for all your input on this project. What a great group of riders you all are. You've helped me to rise way higher on my mechanical ability than I've ever been before. These challenges are good and want to keep this baby up to snuff so that it'll last me for a long time. Maybe it'll last longer than I'll be able to ride her.

[Bighead]

Vern with proper upkeep it will outlast you and maybe the next owner

[da prez]

  Vern , old age or movement. Either one would justify going thru the rear end and doing a full service and checking the wheel bearings. When the rear tire is off , you are in the right neighbor hood to visit everyone. It beats an oops on the road. Just my .02 cents before taxes. An often overlooked issue could be the final drive vent. Not common , but if it plugs up , it will cause a pressure build up in the final drive that could cause a seal leak.

                                                            da prez

                                                 

[The emperor has no clothes]

The cap I pulled was the upper one. The one where you fill from. Also, it was pretty much up straight when I checked it. I'd placed enough lift under the kickstand to make that happen.

I've wiped it all down and will ride it again whenever the weather is appropriate and get back with you all on how or if it continues to leak. If it leaks, I'll pull the real wheel off and all apart to replace at least that one seal. Probably will do all the necessary seals while I'm in there. Thanks for all your input on this project. What a great group of riders you all are. You've helped me to rise way higher on my mechanical ability than I've ever been before. These challenges are good and want to keep this baby up to snuff so that it'll last me for a long time. Maybe it'll last longer than I'll be able to ride her.

Hey Vern, It`s Ernest !...................Sorry, bet you`ve never heard that one before ?  
I have had grease sling out on my wheel before. Once I packed too full, once an o-ring broke. da prez is right though. You should go all in. Have you done the rear maintanence before ? If not, it`s easy.    I`ve also had the oil on the wheel from leaking shocks.

[verngroves]

Hey Ernest, this is Vern. You guys have convinced me to get in there and do the whole rear end deal. No, I've not done the rear end. I've greased the gear each tire change, but gone no deeper. So that will have to happen....soon. The weather is breaking here and so I'd better do it soon.

So, I'll need to get all the necessary seals and o rings. From my local Honda dealer is the best way to go on getting those seals and o rings?

Thanks guys for all your help and insight. You are a fabulous resource.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Hey Ernest, this is Vern. You guys have convinced me to get in there and do the whole rear end deal. No, I've not done the rear end. I've greased the gear each tire change, but gone no deeper. So that will have to happen....soon. The weather is breaking here and so I'd better do it soon.

So, I'll need to get all the necessary seals and o rings. From my local Honda dealer is the best way to go on getting those seals and o rings?

Thanks guys for all your help and insight. You are a fabulous resource.

I like to get my o-rings from Carolina Bike & Trike. There are some good instructions in ShopTalk. And everyone here can help.  I don't know if I'd be buying up parts before you know what you need. Might just be broken o-rings slinging out grease.

[gordonv]

Rear end service, in Shop Talk.

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/rear_end_service.pptx

Carolina Bike and Trike.

http://www.carolinabikeandtrike.com/company.htm