vf500f shifter shaft oil seal

Has anyone replaced the little oil seal that goes around the shifter shaft/spindle? Do i have to remove the small cover that it's pressed into (which is also blocked by the clutch slave cylinder and water pump and engine cover and kitchen sink) in order to get it out, or can i just get a pick inbetween the seal and shaft and gently pull it out?

 

This is pretty common. Yes, you can dig the old one out by pretty much destroying it. You will need to cut the rib (on the OD) off the new seal to get it in place. It presses in so it normally doesn't go anywhere.

I've found that the new seal doesn't always seal perfectly when doing this. It's probably going to be a lot better than what you have now, but don't expect it to be leak free. A couple of drops here and there is normal. The only way to fix it right is to split the cases. I totally understand why you wouldn't want to do that!

 

Jamie is right on with that one.

But from other buddy's that have done this on other honda's like the older CB-4's, Honda XR's and CBR's, they used 2 drywall screws, and simply threaded them in the face of the seal by hand, and rocked the seal out very slowly so as not to pull the screws through.

It works great.....just be patient with it, and make sure to clean up any crap around that area, cause you don't want any foreign material in there

Good luck

Cheers

LL