Leaking Oil Out of Final Drive breather hole - 700s

[cgage]

I have an 84 700sc that i took into work today on my way to the mechanic. When i got in I notice oil on part of the rear tire  it looks like it is coming out of the final drive breather cap, i don't have any tools here so i jammed it on with my foot as hard as i could. Is there a special way to install it or anything that could bind up causing this?

I have a 20 mile ride to the shop so if i can get it fixed up now that would be best!

[JordanA]

Overfilled final drive?

If that is the case, it is supposed to do that.  I see how you can feel un-nerved by the potential oil slick on your rear tire, but as long as your moving it should be minimal.  Remove the breather and also check the oil level in the final drive case.  If it's too high, it'll drain to the correct level when you remove the filler cap.

[cgage]

I guess it could be but it did not do this last year and i have not changed the final drive fluid. I did add more engine oil today but i can see no way those two are related.; Oh well its going to the shop today anyway, the mechanic can look at it.

Thanks for the reply!

[JordanA]

oil breakdown, perhaps.  Could just be that it needs to be replaced with fresh oil.  Could be foaming.

[cgage]

Ok, i will try the change, that one is easy.

[ExTex]

Change it to 75W 90 synthetic.  It is supposed to solve the foaming problem.

The foaming problem is worse in cold weather.
Ride more slowly until the oil heats up.

Ride Safely,

[cgage]

Thanks for all of the replies everyone. I have not ever heard of the foaming, now my aging rear tire knows about all the oil at least.

[cgage]

Ok, NEW PROBLEM 

The mechanic just called me and said that my level in there was way high. And that my oil level in the main engine was "below the dipstick". I had to put 1/3 of a gallon in the engine before i left for the shop, and it was only just at the bottom of the dip stick.

Is it possible for the oil to flow from the engine to the final drive?

[ExTex]

There is no connection between the engine oil and the final gear oil that I know of.
They should be separated by a solid drive shaft.  I guess several seals could leak,
but it would require more than 1 leaking seal.  See drawing.
http://www.hondaparts-direct.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=124062&category=Motorcycles&make=Honda&year=1985&fveh=2962

Make sure that you know how to check the oil level in the engine and final gear.
Check the engine oil level before each ride for the next few weeks (months?) to see if it changes.

Bike Level & on the center stand.

Run engine 3 minutes, stop engine & wait 3 minutes, unscrew dip stick, clean and reinsert dip stick but don't screw in.  Engine oil level should be between the marks on the dip stick.

Bike Level & on the center stand.

Unscrew large oil plug on read gear drive.  Oil should be level with opening.


Ride  :biker_h4h1:safely,

[cgage]

Thanks for the link and advice!

Service manual says the same, but there is still the questions of where the heck the extra oil is coming from? The mechanic is going to take the shaft out when he puts my new rear tire on and we will find out if oil is in the shaft or not. I will keep everyone posted.

[JordanA]

I see no reason why there would be oil in the shaft... unless the PO was just crazy.

[Zugzug]

Lol, thats why ya gotta check just about everything when you buy a bike. You never know what the PO did. Usually the PO doesnt know what they messed up either and thats why they are selling it.

[cgage]

Lol, thats why ya gotta check just about everything when you buy a bike. You never know what the PO did. Usually the PO doesnt know what they messed up either and thats why they are selling it.

I hear you on this one 100%. Learned my lesson, but now have to fix my lesson as I am buying another home before I buy another bike.

[cgage]

Well the PO did overfill it, we centerstanded it and let the fluid drain and now it does not come out. I think that i rode in warm weather with it overfilled last year and this year in the cold it began to foam. Oh well, works now, the bike is fit as a fiddle.