Rear Main Seal

[jimmyd]

Hello Motorbrick Family,

Finally got to the the sprague clutch. Original was unrecognizable. DW helped me figure out the orientation for the  sprague.

The sprague is installed to catch (lock) while it is being turned clockwise by the starter. Meaning that it lets go....... I guess just because the starer button is released or if the engine turns in the opposite direction.
I'm not sure if the engine would be turning clock wise or counter clockwise and aid in the release of the sprague, I never thought about it before. Anybody know wht direction he engine rotates while its running?

While working on the sprag I noticed oil  dripping from where the rear main seal is. Never noticed this before and it didn't happen until I started giving the bell housing a few love taps. Could be just because the bike has been sitting for about 4 months without running and without any pressure from the clutch being installed.

Bike has about 48k on the clock do you recommend replacing?

If the answer is yes what needs to be done to get at the seal. I see what looks like a bearing in front of it, is there some tool and/or technique to getting a new main seal in and is that bearing at jeopardy of being damaged during removal so should I replace that as well.
I can't seem to find the info in the manual.

PENNIES TO MAINTAIN Is the quote I have heard some place must be pennies per half mile.  :2thumbup:

[tsbt]

Tell me about it, just got a hefty bill from bmw on a bunch of parts  :yow try to order elsewhere if you can. Motobins.co.uk has fairly competitive pricing for seals.

You're right, there is no procedure in either Clymers or the BMW repair guide for removing seals that don't involve a special bmw tool. I've looked around quite a bit myself for ways to do it and haven't got a clear answer. I'm planning on doing mine tonight actually, there's quite a bit of sealant holding mine in there and the replacement I ordered looks completely different than the original that's there. Not sure if that matters. Anyway I'll let you know if I resort to smacking it with a mallett screaming like a banshee spilling my big tall beer everywhere  :beatdeadhorse:

I've also learned, if it ain't broke don't fix it in which case just replace the O-ring - which I learned from Frankenduck needs replacing long before a major seal. It's hard however not to take it a step further if it's already apart.

Here's a couple of threads: http://www.motobrick.com/index.php/topic,1897.msg9902.html#msg9902

http://www.motobrick.com/index.php/topic,1350.msg6188.html#msg6188