Harley Shifter Shaft Seal

By Dennis Santopietro

Q: Hi Bob…Your videos are absolutely invaluable! I look forward to viewing many more in the near future. I have a 2010 CVO Softail Convertible with 15K miles. There is a very slow oil leak that appears to be coming from the Harley shifter shaft seal. To diagnose it, I cleaned up and then sprayed the shift shaft area with foot powder. After a few weeks of riding, the powder became soaked with oil. To replace the Harley shifter shaft seal, I know I can remove the entire primary using my HD shop manuals and your Belt Removal/Installation videos. However, my motorcycle has a hydraulic clutch: Is the clutch basket adjustment procedure the same as in the video? Does the hydraulic system have to be serviced when the primary is removed? To remove the seal itself, after removing the retaining clip/washer, do I drill small holes and use a pick to remove it? Do I install the seal by u sing a socket with the same O.D. and gently tap it in? Your help is much appreciated.

A: Jeffrey, glad to know that you can depend on our videos. There is no adjustment at the clutch pack for your m/c. Initially, bleeding the system adjusts the clutch assembly. You do not have to be concerned with anything, clutch, when only removing your outer primary cover. If you are feeling tricky, you can replace your shifter shaft seal without removing your outer primary cover. Yes, you can carefully drill small holes in the seal. Or, you can punch holes with a good pick. It is common to use a socket, like you mentioned, to re install the new seal. If you decide to attempt to replace the seal without removing your primary cover, it is helpful to use a layer of clear packing tape over the splines of the shifter shaft. This will help to avoid damaging the rubber lip of the new seal. Thanks for your question.

Related videos: Softail Rear Belt R&R

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2 Responses to “Harley Shifter Shaft Seal”

  1. George

    Hi, I have the same problem, an oil leak from the gear lever (I guess in the USA you call this a shifter shaft) on my 2000 vintage Sportster Sport 1200 (now a 1450). Is it an easy job? Do you have a video to explain how to do it?

  2. Joe

    My transmission is leaking. It seems to be in the area of the Shift Shaft. I was going to remove my inner primary because I think it's leaking from the shift shaft but not sure. Do you have a video on replacing it? Funny it only seem to leak when it sits for a few days but I know it has to be leaking all the time. I have no noise now in the Transmission and I don't want to scrue something up. Thanks Joe