Do I really need a Shift Shaft Oil Seal Guide?

I'm going to be replacing the shift shaft oil seal on my bike. The FM states that I need the following tool: Shift Shaft Oil Seal Guide (Part # 57001-264).

Do ya'll recommend that I get that or is there a way to install it properly without one?

If you are referring to to the seal on the countersprocket cover for the shift shaft I put mine in with a socket and a small hammer.Just make sure to line the seal up so as not to lip it out on one side or the other of the countersprocket cover and use the socket/hammer to gently seat it.A little oil or WD for lube won't hurt.

You could go broke real quick buying all those trick tools. I've got a couple,like the shim tool for Z1/KZ but most of the time can get by with tips from this site or a little thought.

I also changed that seal on my GPZ750 without any special tool. If you have the same bike, check the main engine casting protrusion which holds the shaft for cracks, mine was all breaking up I had to get it rebuilt by welding.

Thanks ya'll. Yeah that tool was thirty some bucks so I said forget it...time for some KZ ingenuity.

Most factory manuals, including cars, call the tools they use 'special', even though, most, or similar, can be found at your local auto parts. A few are truly special, but most are not, or there are more mundane alternatives.

i have a set of small seal drivers for just this kind of thing but usally i can't find them so i just use a socket that is the same size as the out side of the seal that you are putting in and i also put an extention on it if i can so i don't smash my fingers putting it in place drive it in the same distance as the one you take out making sure it is square to the opening.

If I cant find the exact size of socket to drive it in, I have made a driver with a pc of hard wood turned on my wood lathe. if a shaft is still in the hole I bore a hole in the wood to accommodate. have even done this with bearings. You only get a couple of uses but that's usually all you need.