Middle Drive Cap Replacement

[Padre4art]

Hi Santa's cycle helpers . . .

Over the holidays I am planning to replace a bunch of somewhat corroded chrome bits on my new bike with NOS parts.

One of them is the end cap on the Middle Drive, a chrome plated piece held on by four allen head bolts.

Are there any warnings or issues or 'watch out for this' as I undertake what looks like a simple job?

Thanks guys (gals too!)

Art

[3Phase]

Padre,

Just replacing the cap? One of the four bolts also holds the Middle Drive to the engine case, the other three just hold the cap.

Three cap bolts: 2.5m-kg (18ft-lb) Use Locktite to seal the threads

Middle Drive mounting bolts: 2.45m-kg (17ft-lb)

You can find a copy of the Yamaha Shaft Drive Manual on the 'net, here's one site maintained by forum member CatatonicBug:-

http://www.ringler.us/family/mybike.html

It's a 2.2mb PDF file: Shaft Drive Service Manual (ShaftDriveManual.pdf)

Merry Christmas!

[mack]

gaskket

Always a good idea to have a fresh gasket ready as well.

[Padre4art]

Thank you . . . Just ordered a new gasket from Speed and Sport in PA. Could not get old one off.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Padre,

When I tried to take mine off to polish or paint, after removing longest bolt, it started to leak middle drive oil, so you may need to drain the middle drive before removing bolts.

TC

[skids]

If it needs a middle drive oil change, it is an opportune time to do that. Otherwise, you shouldn't loose too much of that oil. There are many other bolts pressing against that gasket (middle drive gasket), and you might just need to check it and top it off when finished with that cap. I think I would have just made a gasket for that!

[MaximPhil]

Thank you . . . Just ordered a new gasket from Speed and Sport in PA. Could not get old one off.

Hi Padre4art,
It is important that the remains of the old gasket are completely removed from both mating surfaces ,and the surfaces are not damaged, for a proper seal after re-assembly. Ideally a new gasket is used everytime, however if in good condition a used gasket will often seal up tight a second time.
Phil