I have a 99 sporty. Last summer I had a chrome primary cover installed by my local indy and ever since, it has had a little leak coming from around the shifter shaft. Nothing too bad, just frustrating. I am wondering if there is a possibility he used the wrong bushing. And if so, how hard is it to do myself? Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
john

 

Replace the seal. Don't even need to remove the cover if you're careful. As long as the shaft isn't sloppy (up-down and/or front-rear play) the bushing is probably OK.

 

the seal? I will have to look that one up! I would assume it is a press in deal that goes in from the outside?? I haven't looked in my manual yet. I will check it out tonight. After the cover install it came home with a black rubber washer on the outside between the cover and the shifter. I'm not sure it was there before the new cover installation.
Thanks,
John

 

Had forward controls installed on my wife's Dyna Low Rider then shift shaft started leaking after the install. Had the seal replaced, still leaking. Took it back and dealer was apologetic and did it again. 200 miles later leaking again. Again, replaced seal. 100 miles later leaking again. Last time in the pulled the shift shaft out and used some emory cloth on it to make sure there were no burs or rough edges on it to tear the seal.

500 miles now and no leaks.

My suspicion is that junk builds up on it, and after a while the seal tears as the gears are shifted. By finally doing some polishing on my shift shaft whatever buildup was tearing the seals was knocked off. Maybe time sand yours a little bit too.

 

Upon checking my manual, it apperars that only the 4 speed trannys have a seal and bushing. The breakdown in the manual for my year (99, 5 speed) has nothing of the sort listed or pictured. Am I missing something??