Motorcycle Repair: 1971 SL 350 REMOVING OIL PUMP, oil pump housing, spanner nut

Question
THE PUMP SLIDES OFF WITH THE GEAR ..OK GOT THAT  BUT YOU FIRST NEED TO REMOVE THE OIL PUMP HOUSING AND TO DO THAT THERE IS A NUT INSIDE THE HOUSING IT HAS FOUR SLOT'S 12, 3,6,9 O'CLOCK  AND TABS BEHIND IT ON A WASHER TO LOCK THE NUT IN PLACE......HOW DO YOU REMOVE THE NUT???


Answer
Jon, the two parts you describe are actually two separate systems. The pump you correctly described is attached to a plunger plate driven by the clutch housing.  The cylinder attached to the crank with the spanner nut is the oil filter.  You have to remove the snap ring retainer and pull the cap out of the filter housing.  If it's stuck, run one of the long crankcase screws in the puller hole in the center of the cap and it will pop it out.  

Next, you need a spanner socket.  I make mine with a hacksaw and file but you may still be able to get them from honda.  To lock the crank so you can loosen the nut, just take a penny and jam it between the clutch and crank gears and it will lock up the gears enough to allow you to remove the spanner nut.  If you make a socket like I did, an impact gun removes them very nicely without having to jam the gears. Don't use anything hard between the gears or you could deform a tooth or worse break one.

You didn't mention why you're taking them out.  Maybe I can suggest anothter alternative.

Good Luck
Rich