GT550 oil leak

[PHPaul]

The GT has been sitting in the garage awaiting the confluence of warmer weather and ambition before finishing it up.

I noticed a slowly spreading oil puddle under the sprocket cover and finally allowed curiosity to overcome temperature-induced reluctance and pulled the sprocket cover to investigate.

Based on experience with my XS650, I expected the leak to be coming from either the clutch release rod seal or the countershaft seal. On the 650, it's even money as to which is leaking (often both).

However, in this case it appears to be the rubber plug visible between the upper and lower chain runs to the right of the sprocket.

Looking at the parts illustrations, it appears to be the plug on the end of the kick start shaft, #18, part #09242-23001.

So, questions:

1. Is that indeed the correct identification of the plug?
2. If so, can it be replaced without splitting the cases?
3. Is it possible that it's just that the trans is overfilled and the bike is leaning to that side on the side stand?
4. I cleaned around the primary suspects listed above and will look again in a day or three, but is there a history of leaks around the clutch rod or countershaft on this bike?

[jabcb]

I’ve had leaks at the gear shift seal. That seal doesn’t get much use but its under the tranny oil level.
Never replaced the gear shift seal myself, but had good results having a shop replace the seal without removing the motor / splitting the cases.

[GTandcbr]

That rubber bung goes in AFTER the crankcase halves are joined. It is used as a sighting hole to check the shaft is correctly aligned. I think a new one will seal tighter and hopefully solve your problem

[PHPaul]

That rubber bung goes in AFTER the crankcase halves are joined. It is used as a sighting hole to check the shaft is correctly aligned. I think a new one will seal tighter and hopefully solve your problem

Perfect. Thanks!

[jabcb]

Isn’t that the plug that blanks off the crankcase hole for the kick starter?