An annoying primary leak

Well... ALL leaks are annoying.. but one has eluded me for a while. I get a dribble of primary lube (ATF) from the chrome center bolt that holds the outer primary cover on. I've tried RTV around the stud, and even put a fibre washer between the bosses. As I'm prolly going to be inside the primary again soon, I'm wondering if anybody else has fixed this issue?

Nut isnt cracked is it? How about the cover?
Tiny hard to see ones? Sounds like a pressure
build up almost.

I have the same leak but only after a long ride under pressure will it start to dribble out. I think the primary cover was design to leak just so we know it has oil in it.

Perhaps along with the gearbox and the crankcase
the primary needs a negative pressure valve?

Remove the chrome and the gasket will seal against the relatively sticky alloy surface!

OK just kidding around, I wonder if you used some very aggressive gasket maker to glue a fiber washer to the cover and then used [Edit: the stock] washer under the nut if you could get the interface to stop weeping. I still use motor oil in my primary and I notice that every once in a while I have to wipe some grime off the nut. So I am still using a shop rag on mine.

Somebody will surely post here that you should switch to a belt drive, so we might as well get it introduced as possible solution now.

Russ

This is not designed as a seal point. Why is the oil so high or why so much pressure in the primary? I bet there is more than ATF in that leak.

I'd first suspect the primary case over filled by following the manual's amounts or going by the useless small decorative only level plug. Fill so lube can be seen just touching bottom of proper 'loose' cold chain tension and see if cleaner running. Might try silvery anti-seize to help seal threads. This is about the only area ok to try some RTV w/o it getting loose inside.

Yes, slap a load of your favourite jointing compound under the washer & some more under the nut face. Do up, then wipe off excess with your favourite excess joint compound remover.
Notice I did not mention the jointing compound or remover, as it would only cause a discusion of who uses the best! :lol:

It's most certainly ATF, and I fill the primary with 7 oz measured with a graduated cup. Primary cases are hardly pressure tight, what with a felt "seal" on the mainshaft.

I will however look for hairline cracks next time it's apart.