1980 KZ440 layed down, temporarily leaked oil?

Short story, I was doing a test ride after all the work I have done to get her running. I have done a few of these. A mile here, a mile there. nothing to much. Anyway, I was pulling into my driveway at about 4-5 mph, and the chain popped off (the master link clippy thing is shaped like a U.) Probably a little slack and an alignment issue is my assumption as to what led to the issue, and me laying it down.

Anyway, I have a slight bend in the clutch rod, so I will be replacing that, some lights and the windshield I put on. However, when I laid her down, and got up, and parked it, it was leaking oil. I am not sure how much, but a lot of it. I assumed I cracked the case. However, after putting it in the garage for a few days, I decided to look for the leak. I also decided to keep the bike and work on it. I see no crack, and I put 2 quarts of oil in it, and not leak. I ran it, and no leak.

Is it possible that because of it being laid down, that it moved the oil to where it is not supposed to be, and leaked because of that? It was leaking out of the chain (left) side but I have no idea why. I removed the cover days later (when I wasn't as pissed or sore) and can't figure it out.

I plan on taking it to a shop to really look at it before I ride it again, but I do not understand why it's not leaking oil now?
Thanks in advance

which cover? Stator or sprocket?


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It could have leaked out through the clutch rod seal, right? If the bike went down on that side, somehow bending the clutch rod, and laid there for a few seconds, seems like you could lose a decent amount of oil that way.

-Barry

Nebr_Rex wrote: which cover? Stator or sprocket?

If it's the same as my KZ400 (which I believe it is) the sprocket cover covers the countershaft, the shift shaft, and the clutch push rod.

Mine did the same thing last year. For short hops it was fine, but after an hour or so ride it began to leak. It was not immediately clear which one was leaking, but right now I am having all three seals replaced because why not?

For CPLSeraphim: if you had a lateral load on the clutch push rod you may have damaged that seal. If it's the original (and it likely is) the rubber piece in the middle may have been deformed. The bad news is that particular seal has been discontinued and is difficult to find. I had ordered one from BikeBandit, and the day it was supposed to arrive they emailed me to say that they didn't have it and couldn't get it. I ordered one from eebbaayy yesterday; we'll see how that goes.

The Kawasaki part number is 92050-068. I believe the same seal fits the 400 and the 440.

While we're on the topic...

Countershaft seal: 92049-1508

Shift shaft seal: 92051-005

Good luck!

Sprocket cover.

It leaked all the oil it leaked while sitting there after the lay down. It has since been filled and hasn't leaked a drop.

Also, the clutch rod only bent because of the chain braking in the cover. it is a slight bend, and nothing to terribly bad. Still replacing though.