final drive leak while sitting in the cold

[mattcfish]

A few weeks ago when it got down in single digits around here, I went out to the garage to check on the bike. There was a puddle of gear oil all over the wheel and tire, coming from the drum area. I cleaned up the mess, and since then it hasn't leaked at all. I haven't been able to ride it because I've got the motor torn down for a major overhaul and upgrades.
I plan to pull the rear wheel and clean up the brakes. Just wondering if it is common for these to leak in extreme cold, and which component is most likely leaking? The main spline seal or the large gasket under the cover?

[Garnet]

It was about the same temp over here on the Island and none of my bikes leaked, but I did ride my /5 on one of those cold days and the gearbox sounded like it had no oil in it for the first couple of minuets.

Back in the old days I lived on the praries and stored my /7 out in the cold garage for a couple of winters. It was WAY colder and never had leaks, but the bike was only a couple of years old then.

[mattcfish]

It was about the same temp over here on the Island and none of my bikes leaked, but I did ride my /5 on one of those cold days and the gearbox sounded like it had no oil in it for the first couple of minuets.

Back in the old days I lived on the praries and stored my /7 out in the cold garage for a couple of winters. It was WAY colder and never had leaks, but the bike was only a couple of years old then.

New gasket and seal on the way. I hope that takes care of it. This final drive never leaked before. My first one did, a few weeks before the spline hub sheared off the gear at speed. I hope this time it's just age.

[aharrett]

Mine always leaks when I ride in the cold - it has to be around freezing.

[bbelk]

My first one did, a few weeks before the spline hub sheared off the gear at speed. I hope this time it's just age.

I am pushing the splines on my R90 probably further than I should. What did it feel like in the weeks before failure? Was there any backlash in the drive line? What was it like when it actually failed?

Thanks
Brad

[mattcfish]

My first one did, a few weeks before the spline hub sheared off the gear at speed. I hope this time it's just age.

I am pushing the splines on my R90 probably further than I should. What did it feel like in the weeks before failure? Was there any backlash in the drive line? What was it like when it actually failed?

Thanks
Brad

There was no warning before failure. The splines were in good condition. It looked as if a new set of splines had been welded to the gear. The whole spline section seperated from the gear when I shifted up to 4th at 60mph (on the busy Alaska Way viaduct in Seattle!) . I suddenly had neutral in all 5 gears. After I put a new rear end on the bike the same thing happened again, although this time it was the female splines coming un-riveted from the wheel . I think the PO was a little heavy handed on the throttle and clutch. I've had no problems in the last 18 years.