GL1000 Left Rear Cam Seal? (Solved, If Not Fixed)

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Lucien Harpress
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GL1000 Left Rear Cam Seal? (Solved, If Not Fixed)

#1

Post by Lucien Harpress »

I'm just putting some feelers out if anyone has tips on replacing the left rear cam seal on a GL1000. The one behind the points plate. I mean, I'd assume it's relatively simple, but I'm on brand new seal number 2, and I'm still getting an oil leak out of the points plate something awful.

I think this time I'm going to crack other bolts open on the cam holders a bit to help slide the seal in, but beyond that I'm not sure. I'd run sealant on the outside, but I'm not sure if my leak is from around the block or the cam. It shouldn't be this difficult, but I'm also tired of an oily left shoe.
Last edited by Lucien Harpress on Sun Oct 23, 2022 11:46 am, edited 3 times in total.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

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Re: GL1000 Left Rear Cam Seal?

#2

Post by tlbranth »

I'm old enough not to remember details but I've replaced all of the cam seals and I don't recall having a problem with it.
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Re: GL1000 Left Rear Cam Seal?

#3

Post by pidjones »

The seal rides on the same journal ( a long cylinder) that the aft cam bearing runs on. All that I can think of is your either a) have a crankcase venting issue causing too high pressure thus forcing it out any way it can, or b) left out the flow restrictor for that head and are over-supplying it (and starving the other one). As long as the seal is installed with the lip toward the engine and it isn't rolled or torn it should be good.
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Re: GL1000 Left Rear Cam Seal?

#4

Post by gltriker »

Got this troublesome problem corrected yet?
Cliff (74yrs ;) )

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'75 GL1000 home built trike; http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=39996
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: GL1000 Left Rear Cam Seal?

#5

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Plan is to look at it this weekend. I'm hoping between checking (and maybe cleaning) the puke tank, new seals and some cheater three-bond, I can get this sorted.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Re: GL1000 Left Rear Cam Seal?

#6

Post by Whiskerfish »

Can't help but wonder if maybe there is an issue with cam wobble causing this? Have you done the split timing technique to determine how bad the wobble may be? Is this a high mileage engine? Before I parked my original 78 engine it was at about 175,000 miles and the split timing was almost an inch as indicated on the flywheel.
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Re: GL1000 Left Rear Cam Seal?

#7

Post by Lucien Harpress »

I'd say it would be something to check, but the fact it didn't leak before I took it apart leads me to believe it's something my fault. And timing seemed pretty spot on last couple times I did it. At least it wasn't far enough off to be a concern.

My tach seal spits oil pretty bad too, which is why I wanted to look into the crankcase pressure theory as well.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Re: GL1000 Left Rear Cam Seal?

#8

Post by Whiskerfish »

If your breather system is setup as stock over pressure of the crank case will show up as excessive oil in the air filter housing, and oil consumption. At least mine did. I chased a carb issue for a long time with that engine and it turned out to be ingesting oil through the intake and screwing up the carbs. I had to service them like twice a year until Robin suggested I check the crankcase pressure. Basically all I did was remove the breather hose from the crankcase vent and put my thumb over it and feel the pulses at idle. It should have fairly even pulses in and out.
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: GL1000 Left Rear Cam Seal? (Updated)

#9

Post by Lucien Harpress »

I finally got around to pulling old- er, second cam seal out, and... well, I can go a couple directions from here, but I figured I'd get input from the group first.

The initial plan was to run a new seal (which I have), but hit the outside with some Three-bond. After getting everything apart, it appears the leak is around the camshaft though, not the outside. A closer look got me this:

Image

There's a bit of a nick on the rear of the cam, probably my fault trying to get the old seal out. But the actual sealing surface (the ring behind it) doesn't actually interact with this at all.

I guess my question is, what's the best way forward? Three-bond in my new seal and hope for the best? Or start shopping for a new cam?
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Re: GL1000 Left Rear Cam Seal? (Updated)

#10

Post by Whiskerfish »

If it is sticking up where it might cut the seal on install I would dress it with a fine file. If the seal goes far enough past it wrap that outer ring with electrical tape to prevent damaging the new seal then remove it after it is installed. Use Lube!
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
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Re: GL1000 Left Rear Cam Seal? (Updated)

#11

Post by gltriker »

I believe you could find someone that can follow simple instructions and install a wear sleeve on that mess for you.
Yes, you need to completely remove the camshaft off the cylinder head to do the repair; Correctly. ;)
No, you won't need to locate a different internal diameter lip seal.
https://www.skf.com/us/products/industr ... edi-sleeve
Cliff (74yrs ;) )

Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll learn something new, everyday. tumb2

New users please visit our "Shop Talk" for common tips and help: <---jdvorchak
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/page/ST
^^^^^^^click up here^^^^^ :oldies

RE: a thorough fuel tank cleaning
"And your carbs will thank you. They no longer live down stream from a sewage plant." -gregforesi tumb2
"Can't see the paint when your looking thru the handlebars..........." -Oldewing ;)
"I'd rather Ride than Shine" -RAT tumb2 Me Too!!

Cliff

'75 GL1000 home built trike; http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=39996
October,2017 BOTM :shock: https://nakedgoldwingsclub.com/forum/page/Welcome

previous rides:
1953 H-D Servi-car, naked, 1969-1978 (serial#53G1559 committed to memory!)
1980 CB900 Custom (triked) 1997-2003 .... R.I.P.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: GL1000 Left Rear Cam Seal? (Updated)

#12

Post by Lucien Harpress »

:IDTS: Well, in another round of "Things Go About As Badly For Me As They Can", the three-bond adventure has been a complete failure. I figured I'd try installing what I had- if that didn't work and I needed to pull the cam, I would need a new seal anyway. I cracked the cam holder open a bit to make installing the seal easier, and ran a light bit of three-bond along the outside. Whelp, for whatever reason (either too much sealant or whatever), the seal refused to stay fully seated in the head. Even after a couple of hours of setting up, just turning the bike over with the starter was enough for the spinning cam to walk the seal out of place.

So chalk this one up as a complete waste. I guess I'll try again when the next seal shows up.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Re: GL1000 Left Rear Cam Seal? (Updated)

#13

Post by CYBORG »

nice try..... don't give up
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: GL1000 Left Rear Cam Seal? (Updated)

#14

Post by Lucien Harpress »

I ordered two, just in case. This bike runs too well to keep ruining my shoes like it does.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
User avatar
gltriker
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Re: GL1000 Left Rear Cam Seal?

#15

Post by gltriker »

Lucien Harpress wrote: Wed Aug 24, 2022 8:19 pm Still working on replacing those leaky seals (work's been crazy lately),


In any case, puke tank cleanout plus oil seals hopefully will get done this weekend, and god willing that means I am DONE (so long as all the oil stays were it's supposed to).
Wait a minute. Does this indicate there is more than just one affected camshaft oil seal 'leaking' at the same time?
Lucien Harpress wrote: Thu Aug 25, 2022 8:18 am I'd say it would be something to check, but the fact it didn't leak before I took it apart leads me to believe it's something my fault. And timing seemed pretty spot on last couple times I did it. At least it wasn't far enough off to be a concern.

My tach seal spits oil pretty bad too, which is why I wanted to look into the crankcase pressure theory as well.
Alright, I'll bite on this one

What did you take apart and why did you take it apart? Cylinder head gasket replacement job? Camshaft swap?

Swapping mismatched, dimension and alignment critical parts from another cylinder head to this one?
---
Screenshot 2022-08-27 235320.png
Screenshot 2022-08-27 235320.png (188.19 KiB) Viewed 862 times
---
Can't imagine why the camshaft journal is deeply gouged like that. Let's have some photographic evidence of the oil seals that have been sacrificed.
Gluing an oil seal hoping it stays there! Stop with crankcase pressure chit chat.

What happened to the cock-eyed advancer indexing pin? Was a hot wrench used in that area? Looks suspiciously dry. No witness of lubrication there.

Now. Fess Up
Cliff (74yrs ;) )

Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll learn something new, everyday. tumb2

New users please visit our "Shop Talk" for common tips and help: <---jdvorchak
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/page/ST
^^^^^^^click up here^^^^^ :oldies

RE: a thorough fuel tank cleaning
"And your carbs will thank you. They no longer live down stream from a sewage plant." -gregforesi tumb2
"Can't see the paint when your looking thru the handlebars..........." -Oldewing ;)
"I'd rather Ride than Shine" -RAT tumb2 Me Too!!

Cliff

'75 GL1000 home built trike; http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=39996
October,2017 BOTM :shock: https://nakedgoldwingsclub.com/forum/page/Welcome

previous rides:
1953 H-D Servi-car, naked, 1969-1978 (serial#53G1559 committed to memory!)
1980 CB900 Custom (triked) 1997-2003 .... R.I.P.
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