Middle gear warning !

[Rasputin]

Just take the cold chisel back after it. Make a deep mark with a chisel until it curls a bit. Then take a duller chisel and put it in that notch. Then take a 2-4 pound hammer and give it one mighty whack in the counter clockwise direction. If it does not come out that way it will need to be drilled. Do not worry about damaging the middle drive cause if you do happen to bugger it up I have at least 3 extra here, that you could have for shipping cost. The chisel trick has never failed me in 40 yrs that I have been on Yamaha's. You don't tap it but have to give it a solid blow. I find that one hit loosens it enough to use allen wrenches or vise grips etc to spin it the rest of the way out.

[Smash]

Hey Smash,
AAA Metric has the plugs, unplated, so don't worry about getting one through the mail. Seems like it was 3 bucks or so a while back. I Cad plated one, and used a spark plug gasket under it, and it worked perfect.
If you would like, I could come over and bring some persuaders, and maybe get it out. Iv'e found that three hands can help.
I've reshimmed two middle drives, so if you do end up having to cut the head off, it is not a great deal of effort to open it up and rinse it out. And if you're carefull, you don't even have to make a new gasket. And if the drive is out of the bike, it can be placed in a mill, and the head taken down to the gasket, and then the treaded portion comes out real easy. Let me know if you are interested. CZ

Thank you! Learned a new method, thanks also for answering a few questions we had about the bike. Thank you thank you thank you....

[Ken Talbot]

Any chance of re-trying the 'slightly oversize" hex in an impact driver?

[Smash]

Thanks Ken, bolt is out.

[motoman]

Good job Smash!........we'll make a 'wrench' out of you yet! That's what happens when you've had too much 'free' time on the notoriuous trouble-free ST!.......ride 300+ miles, fill with fuel.....repeat untill said destination is reached. Your doin good....keep it up and ask if you don't know!

[skids]

Now, with the new plug, why not use a nylon washer. Believe me that is the way to go!

[Smash]

Good job Smash!........we'll make a 'wrench' out of you yet! That's what happens when you've had too much 'free' time on the notoriuous trouble-free ST!.......ride 300+ miles, fill with fuel.....repeat untill said destination is reached. Your doin good....keep it up and ask if you don't know!

Lol, I would love to agree with you, but my ST put me on the side of the road atleast once every trip! It was very neglected when I bought it. Taught me to carry a very good tool kit and not panic. And have good friends that will come pick you up when you're 300 miles away at 9pm with a blown fuel pump...

Now, with the new plug, why not use a nylon washer. Believe me that is the way to go!

You better believe it! Nylon washers on both!

[A-Lay]

I have had the middle gear leak into the swingarm. The seal at the rear of the middle drive is a poor design, with no sealing compound between the gear case and seal (OEM). Mine was leaking there. I replaced the seal this past winter and used sealant at the joint. Luckily, I didn't lose enough oil to cause damage.

Take note: there is a weep hole in the drive boot, make sure you install the boot the right way, with the weep hole down, so if there is a leak there, you'll know it.

Does anyone know what kind of sealant to use?

[DiverRay]

I would use the Yamabond #4, non hardening sealer.