I need to replace the seal where the shifter shaft goes through the primary on a '13 1200C. Does the primary cover have to be removed for this? The seal was only a few bucks which is why I don't feel like leaving the bike at the dealer for who knows how long to replace it under warranty. If the primary cover has to come off, I'll bite the bullet and leave it at the dealer once it gets too cold for the wife to ride it. Thanks.

 

The case cover does NOT need to be removed!!!!!!!!!!!

When riding the bike on spirited back road rides I'd get a bit of oil exiting from the shifter seal. I ordered a new seal and o-ring (the 2 parts there-less than $10). Removed the shifter arm, slid the o-ring off and used a pick to remove the oil seal out of the case cover. When re-installing I used a deep well socket that lined up with everything and tapped the new oil seal in the case cover. I then used BOTH the new and old o-rings on top of the new seal behind the shifter arm. What this does it apply a bit more pressure to the oil seal. Rode the crap out of the bike with many trips to 7k rpm (oil would only come out with higher revs) and to this day dry as a bone and still looks OEM.

 

Stretch some electrician's tape around the shaft splines before sliding the new seal over them. It helps to protect the seal.

 

Thanks for the responses. I was hoping to hear from somebody that used a pic. When you mentioned an o-ring, are you talking about that thick rubber seal that you can see under the shifter arm? I was able to spin that o-ring by hand which didn't seem quite right. The only part I got from the dealer was the thin spring-loaded seal. Simple stuff like that isn't worth the warranty hassle IMHO.

 

Mine weeps constantly, but even weeping for 4000 miles, the fluid level in the primary is unaffected (not dropping by an amount I can actually see or measure).

I haven't bothered, yeah, the case looks dirty because of it, but I figure its a harley, I wouldn't trust it if it didn't weep oil somewhere.

It doesn't drip...it just weeps enough that 70mph air will blow and smear it on the case cover.

 

That is correct. It is not a "seal" as it is more a spacer between the actual grey seal set in the case cover. That is why I used both the old and new o-rings so it fits snugly on against the actual oil seal.