Oil leaks

Fuzz0519

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I have a 1978 650 special I just got running recently. It had been sitting idle for 32 years. Now I have oil leaks everywhere, understandably. Main leak is on the left side. Is there a main seal behind the stator? What other seals should I look to replace?
 
Yes, there is a seal on the crankshaft behind the alternator but that's not the most common leaker on the left side. Usually it's the clutch pushrod seal or the countershaft seal behind the sprocket. The countershaft seal is often OK but that area leaks very badly if the sprocket nut comes loose, and it's very common for that to happen. The nut has to be very tight, like 90 ft/lbs, to stop leaks in that area.
 
If the bike has been sitting .and now been out say 100 miles
I would wait... Run a bit more ..re tightening bolts
I have heard that bikes should run at least about 600 --800 -1000 miles per year or the seals can dry up.
So most likely a few needs to be replaced
But things can get better after some driving. Flat gaskets installed new -- swells after heat and oil
And perhaps also when old.
The outgoing axle can be tightened As mentioned.
On other bikes valve stem seals are leaking And causing smoke.
If those shall be replaced it is a bigger job and then it makes sense to replace.
more or less all.
It can also be difficult to find a leak.In my view.
Have Never replaced the one behind the alternator.
And cannot remember any leak on the Right side.

Have you inspected the inside of the thank so rust don't goes down into the Carburetors
 
There is also a bushing behind the clutch pushrod seal for the pushrod. If it's worn, and many are, even a new seal will leak. Best hope for getting that area leak-free is to replace both the seal and the bushing. Also, changing out the original two piece pushrod for the older long one piece version seals better and wears less on the bushing.
 
I think I have the one piece rod because I was having issues getting the clutch dialed in. One of the clutch balls was missing. I had disassembled several years before. Don’t do that.
 
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