Street Twin (2021) Oil Leak/Seepage

[triumphantrider]

Hi everyone. New here and new to Triumphs (but not motorcycles). I have been noticing a slow but constant oil leak that is always under where I've parked the bike on a particular day.
I have already done the clean engine casing thoroughly and re-check for the leak recommendation. I am not going to do that again just to get the same result.
I only just bought it (obviously used) and the bike only has 6,500 km's and it has just passed an inspection prior to sale. Where I live every time the registration is changed the vehicle needs to undergo a safety & maintenance (road worthy) inspection.
I have taken some pictures of where some fresh oil/leakage was most visible, but I don't think it's coming from that area, as I also noticed a very tiny bit under the exhaust headers (front of bike) but this was a very miniscule amount compared to the one in the photo. I'm wondering if anybody may be able to point me in the right direction on where else to look/what to replace?
I think I have a fair idea on what it may be, but seeing what others think or if my suspicions would be confirmed.

Thanks.

 

[atomsplitter]

Welcome to the forum from sunny North Texas. Very minor oil leaks/drips tend to be from the stator wire seal on a lot of Triumphs. That would be a first look for most.

 

[triumphantrider]

Welcome to the forum from sunny North Texas. Very minor oil leaks/drips tend to be from the stator wire seal on a lot of Triumphs. That would be a first look for most.

Many thanks for your prompt response. I was thinking more along the lines of the galle plug but stator wire seal seems a more reasonable area. Will definitely look into that.
How hard/easy is it to get in there and replace the seal?

 

[atomsplitter]

Depends on the model, I've seen a lot of use of silicone sealer in posts in that area as a sheap fix. Someone with your model year range might chime in here for a specific way to repair it if it is the stator wire seal.

 

[triumphantrider]

Well it's a 2021 model. I was just about to ask if I could just use oil-resistant silicone sealant. I have heaps of that stuff.
And if it is the stator wire seal, do I just apply it over the top of the seal (where it meets the surface of the casing)? Or do I peel around the seal itself and apply it as far "into" the seal as I can get?

 

[triumphantrider]

Well it's a 2021 model. I was just about to ask if I could just use oil-resistant silicone sealant. I have heaps of that stuff.
And if it is the stator wire seal, do I just apply it over the top of the seal (where it meets the surface of the casing)? Or do I peel around the seal itself and apply it as far "into" the seal as I can get?

The only thing is the stator cover (right side of bike) is on the opposite side of where I noticed the leaks from (left side of bike kickstand area).

 

[sikatri]

What is the plug looking thing where the oil seems to come from? Does it push in? Is it loose? Larger over all picture might help. It looks like some type of plug that might have a worn seal.

 

[triumphantrider]

What is the plug looking thing where the oil seems to come from? Does it push in? Is it loose? Larger over all picture might help.

Well that's really the only picture I was able to take and since have washed the bike and cleaned where it leaked.
It was coming from the clutch side. Where the red circle is in the picture is where the clutch cable connects into a bracket into the bottom of the clutch cover casing (right in front of the gear shifter). It has a very tiny bit of play where I'm able to push it upwards (into the casing) but we're talking a very miniscule amount.

 

[sikatri]

Well that's really the only picture I was able to take and since have washed the bike and cleaned where it leaked.
It was coming from the clutch side. Where the red circle is in the picture is where the clutch cable connects into a bracket into the bottom of the clutch cover casing (right in front of the gear shifter). It has a very tiny bit of play where I'm able to push it upwards (into the casing) but we're talking a very miniscule amount.

So that the shifter shaft? I think there’s likely a seal there and it’s worn. Also don’t know if it should have that much up and down play movement. I think that looks like your leak.

 

[triumphantrider]

So that the shifter shaft? I think there’s likely a seal there and it’s worn. Also don’t know if it should have that much up and down play movement. I think that looks like your leak.

Yeah that's it, the shifter shaft.
Looking on the parts diagram though, there isn't any mention of seals, it's just the shaft itself.
I will try to find a seal for it but is it a relatively easy job to replace either the entire shifter shaft itself or the seal?

 

[sikatri]

Yeah that's it, the shifter shaft.
I will try to find a seal for it but is it a relatively easy job to replace either the entire shifter shaft itself or the seal?

I don’t have that model, but I would guess the seal has to be a separate item. I doubt you need to buy the whole shaft unless it’s somehow broken. Do you have a shop manual for your bike? Highly recommend getting one. It might be the cover needs to be removed to disassemble the shaft and replace the seal. That would mean a new gasket for the cover as well. It would also give you an opportunity to inspect the shaft and mechanism. But, I don’t know the specifics of your model.

 

[triumphantrider]

I don’t have that model, but I would guess the seal has to be a separate item. I doubt you need to buy the whole shaft unless it’s somehow broken. Do you have a shop manual for your bike? Highly recommend getting one. It might be the cover needs to be removed to disassemble the shaft and replace the seal. That would mean a new gasket for the cover as well. It would also give you an opportunity to inspect the shaft and mechanism. But, I don’t know the specifics of your model.

I only have the owners manual.
I just added pictures to my previous post where there are no seals on the parts diagram. Unless they are integrated (and non-removable) from the shaft itself.

 

[sikatri]

There’s likely a seal up inside the cover somewhere that needs replacing. Looks like you have some needle bearings and such that might need inspecting when you take it apart.

 

[sikatri]

I only have the owners manual.
I just added pictures to my previous post where there are no seals on the parts diagram. Unless they are integrated (and non-removable) from the shaft itself.

The seal numbers are likely part of the engine cover diagram. It looks like at the bottom of the shaft is bearings and a dust seal. Higher up inside is some type of seal in that area where the shaft goes. That’s the spot it’s likely leaking and dripping down the shaft. It’s all inside the cover.

 

[sikatri]

2,3, and 4 at the bottom where the shaft goes in. I’m guessing 5 and 6 are at the top where the shaft goes up to. That would be my guess where it leaks.

That’s my guess anyway.

 

[triumphantrider]

View attachment 57923
2,3, and 4 at the bottom where the shaft goes in. I’m guessing 5 and 6 are at the top where the shaft goes up to. That would be my guess where it leaks.
View attachment 57924

That’s my guess anyway.

I agree. I just checked and that spot under the shaft there has a fresh oil leak again.
So just to confirm. you're talking about possibly needing replacing is part #6 oil seal? And then possibly #4 and #5?

 

[sikatri]

I agree. I just checked and that spot under the shaft there has a fresh oil leak again.
So just to confirm. you're talking about possibly needing replacing is part #6 oil seal? And then possibly #4 and #5?

It might be worth replacing the bearings as well, 2,3,4,5 and 6. Also the cover gasket. Once you take the cover off the excess movement may be due to worn bearings. If they are not expensive I would just look at it as maintenance.

 

[triumphantrider]

It might be worth replacing the bearings as well, 2,3,4,5 and 6. Also the cover gasket. Once you take the cover off the excess movement may be due to worn bearings. If they are not expensive I would just look at it as maintenance.

Ok I can easily order all of them, but the actual seal that you think is leaking is oil seal #6? Or oil seal #2? The "main" culprit

 

[sikatri]

Ok I can easily order all of them, but the actual seal that you think is leaking is oil seal #6? Or oil seal #2? The "main" culprit

Yes. I think it’s 6, the primary leak point. 2 is more of a dust seal, but I’d replace it as well.

 

[triumphantrider]

Yes. I think it’s 6. 2 is more of a dust cover, but I’d replace it as well.

Thanks so much for your prompt and insight. It's very much appreciated.
Last question, how hard/easy is it to replace all those?
I obviously have to drain the oil and remove the entire clutch cover, but from there is it a relatively simple enough task to replace all those?