Is oil build up at final drive/motor normal?

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ynotride

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Just did 900 miles this past weekend and noticed some oil building up right behind my shifter where the final drive meets the motor.

Is this part of a new bike breaking in or do I have a problem?

Thanks in advance

Bike info

2008A

6692 miles

Picture

102_3592.jpg


 
Looks like a problem to me and I am sure someone on this forum will come up with an explanation...

Hope it's nothing serious. :blink:

 
That's not right. It looks like it is the seal where the output shaft comes out of the middle gear. It's not the 'final drive' that is there either. It's a U-joint that attaches to the output shaft and then the driveshaft. This will be a spendy repair as it's quite a big deal to access that seal (assuming my diagnosis is correct) Good thing you are under warranty.

 
That's not right. It looks like it is the seal where the output shaft comes out of the middle gear. It's not the 'final drive' that is there either. It's a U-joint that attaches to the output shaft and then the driveshaft. This will be a spendy repair as it's quite a big deal to access that seal (assuming my diagnosis is correct) Good thing you are under warranty.

Thanks.

I am going to swing by the dealer at lunch and see what they say. Hopefully they can get it fixed before the TWN ride.

 
Dealer checked it out for me. They cleaned up the oil and told me it looked fine. The tech told me he has seen it before and is normal for a new bike. He says it is break in oil and junk collecting on that spot.

I guess thats good news for now and at least I have it documented in case it does turn into a problem.

 
Are you *sure* that it wasn't already there or hasn't slowly been accumulating?

I could buy that it was break in oil if it was the first 900 miles, but if it just showed up between miles 5800-6700, then I would be concerned.

 
if it just showed up between miles 5800-6700, then I would be concerned.
Exactly my sentiment. More than 'break-in oil' (that's crap IMO), it can be oil spilled during assembly and/or PDI. If it's a leak, it'll be there with ANY oil. That's why I always clean up my new bikes in and out while checking all important fasteners. That way I know something like you have is a leak for sure.

My warranty is expiring in 3-1/2 hours, with only 800 miles on the clock, so hope none of the potential FJR problems happens to me (knock on wood). Now that you bike is clean, monitor that area often. Good luck.

JC

 
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Here's a sample pic for comparison sake. Although it's a little blurry, it's a little messy too. I'm at 9700 mi, I've washed it about 4 times since new. I don't get into the nooks and crannies when I clean it though and I would consider it an accumulation that is hopefully normal.

DSC00419sm.jpg


I'm hoping it nothing serious too and although I'll be following the post I'm going to take the "worry less, ride more" approach.

 
I'm going to take a wild guess here. My bike is buried in my garage to confirm it, but it seems to me that if oil level is at the top of the sight glass (where it should be), and bike is parked on the SIDE STAND, oil would (barely) reach that seal, allowing a few drops to seep after a while.. making it perfectly normal IMO. Hopefully some more folks can shoot my theory down or confirm it. Later.

JC

 
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Another long shot....

Maybe just maybe if all the planets align properly and the tides are right....

OK, maybe if there was a lot of grease on the U-joint there maybe as it heats up etc and flies off it's making a mess. Although most complain about lack of lubricant on the splines etc.

Maybe after having a coat of oil from factory it's just built up dirt etc on it over time and then more dirt, add moisture, more dirt, repeat, etc, it's just real dirty.

That area is rather dark, the boot is also black soooooo.

I just checked mine and it has a tiny bit of road goo but really nothing, it's very clean and I have 37K on it.

Hmmmm. Keep an eye on it and your oil level. Maybe nothing. Maybe something. How profound. ;)

 
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Another long shot....Maybe just maybe if all the planets align properly and the tides are right....

OK, maybe if there was a lot of grease on the U-joint there maybe as it heats up etc and flies off it's making a mess. Although most complain about lack of lubricant on the splines etc.

Maybe after having a coat of oil from factory it's just built up dirt etc on it over time and then more dirt, add moisture, more dirt, repeat, etc, it's just real dirty.

That area is rather dark, the boot is also black soooooo.

I just checked mine and it has a tiny bit of road goo but really nothing, it's very clean and I have 37K on it.

Hmmmm. Keep an eye on it and your oil level. Maybe nothing. Maybe something. How profound. ;)
This is what I'm thinking to. I have cleaned my bike but never really paid attention to this area and it could have been like that since new. I just got done detailing the bike and got rid of all of the mess. I will keep on eye on it to see what happens.

The dealer did check the oil and final drive oil and all was good.

Thanks for the input guys

 
I would be curious to know if those of you with the large oily spots normally leave you bikes on the side-stand? The picture indicates a thinner weight lube, like engine oil. When parked at work or overnight I always use the center-stand and I have a clean '07 with about 10k miles.

OBD

 
That area should be bone-ass dry, regardless of center or side stand, oil weight, or planet positions. Problem.

 
That area should be bone-ass dry
I'm not sure that applies to this bike buddy. Was thoroughly cleaning my bike for the first time (after my first long ride), and lo and behold, the freaking shaft is exposed. Didn't know that; none of my shaft bikes have ever been like that. I thought that black area on the pic was oil, but it's a plastic cover that partially covers the U-joint. After seeing the pic for the second time, I don't think it's a problem, but only time will tell. Record when you cleaned that area and how many miles, and check it again in a few months. Good luck.

JC

 
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It looks like the bike is totaled, I'll give you $200 cash for it. Send me a message and I'll take that heap of junk off your hands.

JW

 
My 07 looks like that with 5k miles on the clock.

I have never detail cleaned that area. 5k miles worth of Buildup.

, Im not concerned.

 
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