VL transmission oil seal

[Jim]

Just wondering... is it possible to replace the oil seal in the VL transmission from the outside without taking it all apart? I've never had the trans apart and it's been years since I had the top cover off. I'm not really sure of the year of the transmission. I'm not really interested in rebuilding with sealed bearings as I don't have any way of pressing them in or machine work.

[duffeycycles]

If you want it to not leak,send it to Rob at Retrocycle in NJ

[sswaney]

Complete disassemble is required to replace the "seals". Like the later 4 speed transmissions, the number one reason for oil leakage on the 3 speed big twin trans is over filling the transmission.

[Steve Slocombe]

Overhauling the VL three speed is not so much of a big deal, and you should have it in and out in a day. It has become routine to put a sealed bearing at the kicker side, and often at the drive side. You should not need a press or machining, just warm the gearbox case if necessary. A procedure is in my VL restoration book, available from Replicant Metals.

[Jim]

If you want it to not leak,send it to Rob at Retrocycle in NJ

Thanks, I may have a look and if I run into trouble, I'll give him a call. He is about 2 hours from me.

Complete disassemble is required to replace the "seals". Like the later 4 speed transmissions, the number one reason for oil leakage on the 3 speed big twin trans is over filling the transmission.

Thanks I figured as much that it has to come all apart, but I just wanted to ask. I also was 'thinking' that maybe now that it has sat for a couple days, maybe I will drain the oil and just see how much is in it. The thing is,,. with the fill cap off, I cannot see any oil at the bottom of the fill area anymore and that led me to believe it's leaking too much. I don't mind a tiny bit of oil under the bike as I keep a pan under it anyway.

Overhauling the VL three speed is not so much of a big deal, and you should have it in and out in a day. It has become routine to put a sealed bearing at the kicker side, and often at the drive side. You should not need a press or machining, just warm the gearbox case if necessary. A procedure is in my VL restoration book, available from Replicant Metals.

Thanks Steve, I do have your book I had bought a few years ago, well it's been more than a few now. Definitely not the latest edition, but I looked and it does have the "Appendix C TRANSMISSION STRIP AND REBUILD" section in it at the back. Which I am ashamed to say I have not read that "section" yet . I was under the impression that those bearings needed to be "pressed or machine work" to fit.