Motorcycle Repair: Fork Seals and Dry Side Cover Oil Leak, crankshaft seal, fork seals


Question
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Followup To
Question - Bill, does the spring come out of the housing after you remove the retainer?  I believe the part number is 51432-273-010.  If so, what type of tool is used to remove the retainer?

I will be ordering you manuals later this week.

Thanks
Carson

Bill,

I just finished restoring my 1967 CL77 (thanks for previous recommendations on the paint/colors).
While doing some final adjustments, I noticed a oil leak on the bottom of right (dry) side of the engine cover.  I guess it must be one of the seals.  I really hate to tear into the engine to place the seals.  Your thoughts.

I also noticed a leak in one of the front forks that was not there before I restored.  I just need a starting point for disassbling the fork..Once the fork is removed, do I start with the seal retainer (51432-273-010).

Thanks in advance
Carson
Answer -
Carson, the oil leak is probably the crankshaft seal, which can be carefully replaced with just removal of the side cover and alternator parts. There are several more seals under that side cover, so check carefully to see which one is the culprit. Obviously splitting the cases is the best way to replace them, but they can be done externally.

With the fork off the bike, drained, spring removed, and the boot off, you will see a snap ring that needs to be removed. You can then just pull the fork apart like a slide hammer until the seal pops out of the lower housing.
Clean all parts and lubricate lightly before reinstallation. You will have to either carefully drive the new seal into the housing using the old seal as a driver while tapping lightly around the edges of the seal w/o hitting the fork tube or come up with a long piece of PVC the same OD as the seal and use it to drive the seal in place. Reinstall the snap ring, add oil, spring, install cap and put the boot back on after you have installed the fork assy back to the triple clamps...

I have restoration guides that cover most phases of restoration and repair...


Bill Silver
www.vintagehonda.com

Answer
Carson, I am trying to think if I ever did disassemble the Type 2 forks in my whole m/c experience....

Looking at the parts book it appears that the "retainer" may be threaded, which is unlike the Type 2 Super Hawk fork that I am familiar with. If it truly is as shown, it probably has a series of small drilled holes in the top surface, which requires a large type of 90 degree angled snap ring pliers to rotate out of the housing.

For further information on this procedure.. contact Ed Moore in TX at emo@ktc.com   He's restored many CL77s and has more working knowledge of the later ones than I do on this question. After the "retainer" is removed, the seal removal steps will probably be same as I have listed previously.

Bill Silver