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View Full Version : Oil Loss, any ideas?

redsdreads
18-11-11, 08:36 PM
Riding up the A34 yesterday and knocked the bike down 2 gears instead of one to overtake, back wheel locked up a few times as it dragged the gear, popped it back into 5th and rode on.

Noticed smoke in the mirrors so pulled over with a slidey rear to find oil pouring out from around/near/behind (not sure) sprocket cover... all over the back wheel, swing arm, rear brake etc!

Got recovered home today, but would like people's views on what could have gone wrong. I'm hoping nothing too serious, but if anyone has an idea I would really like to hear it as I am new to bikes and never worked on anything major on a bike engine, but would like to fix it myself if possible.

Look forward to your ideas.

Reds
Dunn-y
18-11-11, 09:17 PM
Doesn't sound good. Hopefully it's just a seal that's gone but I'm no mechanic by any standards. Hope it's nothing too serious though, at least you kept it rubber side down.
dizzyblonde
18-11-11, 09:19 PM
Have you tightened up the chain recently? Could be the oil seal behind the front sprocket thats been unseated, due to the chain being too tight. Happened to me once, but it wasn't pouring out, and once the chain had been backed off it resealed.
redsdreads
18-11-11, 10:24 PM
Have you tightened up the chain recently? Could be the oil seal behind the front sprocket thats been unseated, due to the chain being too tight. Happened to me once, but it wasn't pouring out, and once the chain had been backed off it resealed.


Don't think the chain has been too tight, but sounds like it might be that seal, maybe by whacking it into too high a gear could've pulled the sprocket. Will get in the shed on Sunday and have a root about to see what I can see.

Thanks for the info
Sid Squid
19-11-11, 03:58 PM
Unlikely to be the seal directly, they don't fail suddenly like that. And that seal can't hold the shaft in place - the big fat bearing behind the seal locates the shaft, if the shaft can move the bearing's goosed.

Often the problem you're having is simply loose or lost sprocket nut - check that first.
redsdreads
25-11-11, 08:20 PM
Thanks for the replies.

Loose sprocket nut it was. Good call.
Seems the rear shock had gone too (was wondering why I was bouncing around so!) but managed to get a 2nd hand one off ebay for £50 , new back tyre also and then ready for storage for the winter :(

Thanks again

I'm sure I'll be back for more..