As a motorcycle owner, you know for a fact that the gear shifter is possibly the most important part of your bike, since it is what you use to change the gears on your bike.
And as one of the most important parts of your bike, you can run into very serious trouble if you have a leaky shift shaft seal. And if that is the case, it is time that you replace the old seal with a new seal.
In this quick guide, you will learn everything that you need to know about how you are supposed to replace a shift shaft seal and the sign that you should search for that shows you need to get your motorcycle fixed.
Finding the source of the Shift shaft seal leak
The gear shifter allows your engine to run smoothly and for you to accelerate and ride without any hiccups. Therefore, suffice it to say that if this runs into any problems, you will not be able to ride your motorcycle with the same efficiency.
Replacing your shift shaft seal is essential, and you first need to find the location or the source of the leak. You could just find the leak and try to plug it in, but that does not properly solve the problem. It is still likely that you will need to still locate the source of the problem before you can start save your bike and not mindlessly screw in the leak.
Fixing the leaking source
Fixing the source of the leak is easily the easiest way to get around to fixing a leaky shifter and can save you a lot on maintenance in the long run.
Find the screws that are holding the gear shifter
If you are still struggling with a leaky gear shifter, then it is possible that you need to locate its different screws to see if there is something wrong with them.
Find the screws
Step one to fixing this problem is to find different screws throughout bike that are for the leaky gear shifter and screw them back in place. Bikes will usually have these screws at the top of the gear shifter.
Remove the shifter
Now that you have found the different screws that you were supposed to take off, you can now easily loosen the shifter and pull it off. This can allow you to get a better look at what is wrong with your shifter and then possibly fix it.
Reattach the shifter
When you have finally taken off the shifter and inspected it for possible flaws, you now need to reattach it. Reattaching it can be difficult if this is your first time, but it can be simple to get around. All you need to do is place the shifter the same way that you took it off and then just screw back the bolts you took off.
Clean you shifter
As a motorcycle owner, you need to keep every part of your motorcycle clean to ensure that it runs effectively. As you take your bike our on the road, there are times when dirt and grime can start to accumulate inside your bike, which can make it even more difficult to ride in it. The dirt and grime can also lead to missed shifts, which can be very dangerous.
How to clean the shifter
Cleaning the shifter can be very simple, and all you need to properly clean it is a brush and some compressed air. First you want to remove the top of the shifter. Next, you want to use the brush or the can of compressed air to properly remove the dirt and debris off your shifter.
You want to be especially careful of how you go about cleaning the debris off your shifter, and want you want to pay special attention to the the gears inside your bike. Even if they are worn, you want to make sure that you clean them properly.
Add some sealant to the shifter housing
The engine is one of, if not the most important parts of your bike, and you will need to make sure that nothing makes its way inside the cover and possibly affect the engine.
These leaks could be the result of the cover for the engine, that you might need to get replaced to fix the leak. Furthermore, if something can make its way in to the housing, it can even lead to engine problems like rust.
If you don’t have the right seals installed, you can expect this issue to continue if you don’t get it changed in time. So, you want to make sure that you add some sealant to the shifter housing to ensure that nothing can possibly damage your engine.
The sealant is very good at creating a protective barrier that can easily keep your engine safe from moisture and rust. All in all, the best thing that comes with adding a sealant is that it can protect your bike against possible damage.
Replace the gear shifter entirely
And if none of these ways can help you effectively keep your gear shifter clean, you will want to just outright replace the gear shifter seal shaft and the screws that are holding it in place. This is one of the best ways that you can keep your bike feeling brand new.
Not only does the gear shifter allow you to change gears of your bike on the fly, but it can also helps you keep your chain in place. Therefore, you want to make sure that it is clean at all times and doesn’t have any problems. You can especially keep the gear shifter clean if you have the right tools.
But even if things manage to go right, you need to be very careful as you try to take proper care of your motorcycle. And if you feel like something isn’t right, you should visit your nearest mechanic and ask them, and they will be able to properly help you.