Oil leak at shift shaft

1992 VFR750... Has had some grime in the area of the shifter near the front sprocket and the shaft that the shifter attaches to has always been moist. Now it finally had a drop under it today. Smells and looks like motor oil. Is this just a seal problem or has something else been damaged from being dropped? Also, the shaft does not move up, down, or side to side, but it does have some play in and out... Where should I start and how urgent of an issue is it?

 

That's what she said...

How many miles on it, and when was it dropped?

 

nice.... its got 60,000 and was dropped about 4 weeks ago but has obvious signs that this is not the first time it was dropped. I have only owned it a short while.

 

I'd remove the lever and check to make sure that the shaft isn't bent and/or excessively worn where the seal contacts it. If the shaft is OK, then just replace the seal with an Honda OEM item.

Just make sure that you install the seal properly so that it doesn't pop out and oil your rear tire. Some mechanics "peen" the seal in slightly on certain bikes so as to prevent such thrilling events...

 

I had a Nighthawk of yore that had a leak like that, it was never dropped. Easy fix, a dedicated pick is handy for this task, then find a socket the correct diameter to tap it in, presto, your done.