72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Moderators: oldjapanesebikes, H2RICK, diamondj, Suzsmokeyallan
-
- On the main road
- Posts: 130
- Joined: Wed Nov 09, 2011 9:09 pm
72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Have the tell tale sign of a leaking right crank seal. Smoking heavy from the right exhaust and not the sweet Klotz smell. Can I change the seal without splitting the motor? Just pull the clutch cover, clutch and primary gear. Then pull the seal and push in a new one?? Thanks!!!!
-
- To the on ramp
- Posts: 237
- Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:46 am
- Country: United Kingdom
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: T500J
- Location: Eastbourne
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
People on here have said that the outer crank seals can be changed without splitting the crank cases.
I've never tried so don't know for sure
I've never tried so don't know for sure
-
- On the main road
- Posts: 130
- Joined: Wed Nov 09, 2011 9:09 pm
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Thank you, Bob H are you out there??tricky1962 wrote:People on here have said that the outer crank seals can be changed without splitting the crank cases.
I've never tried so don't know for sure
-
- On the street
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2016 6:08 am
- Country: U.K.
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: T500-2
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
I have changed outer crank seals on a 380 and a 500 with success.
Right side, clutch side yes?
If it is, drop the oil, whip off the clutch cover, clutch and drive pinion on the crank end (you might be able to leave the clutch in place). If memory serves you then need to remove a spacer and a large circlip.
The seal should be exposed but is a tight interference fit between the top and bottom case.
The purists will probably cringe at this point. Next, using a sharp screwdriver, gently drive it into the old seal and gently lever it out, don't go mad with the screwdriver, you don't want to damage the bearing behind it.
Once out, offer the new seal up, smear some sealant round the outer edge if you like and using the old seal to protect the new one, gently drift it home, make sure it goes in square.
It sounds well iffy but I have used this method four times.
Right side, clutch side yes?
If it is, drop the oil, whip off the clutch cover, clutch and drive pinion on the crank end (you might be able to leave the clutch in place). If memory serves you then need to remove a spacer and a large circlip.
The seal should be exposed but is a tight interference fit between the top and bottom case.
The purists will probably cringe at this point. Next, using a sharp screwdriver, gently drive it into the old seal and gently lever it out, don't go mad with the screwdriver, you don't want to damage the bearing behind it.
Once out, offer the new seal up, smear some sealant round the outer edge if you like and using the old seal to protect the new one, gently drift it home, make sure it goes in square.
It sounds well iffy but I have used this method four times.
- PaulD
- Around the block
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2016 9:01 pm
- Country: United Kingdom
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: T250, Dunstall GT750L, GSXR1100, Z1300, GT500
- Location: If I'm not working I'm in the shed
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
You don't need to drain the gearbox oil, you can lean the bike over on the other side & rest it on the foot rest. Also instead of using a screwdriver and risk damaging the crankcase (yes I know it can be done without damage but why take the chance) I drill two small holes (1mm ish) in the seal outer cage with my Dremel then screw two small tappers in and grab them with some sturdy pliers and Bobs yer mothers brother
P.s make sure you blow out any swarf with your airline before you remove the old seal

P.s make sure you blow out any swarf with your airline before you remove the old seal
Those jap bikes are rubbish they won't last five minutes son, get yourself a nice Royal Enfield!
A quote from my old dad
1971 Pink GT750J
1973 Blue T500J
A quote from my old dad
1971 Pink GT750J
1973 Blue T500J
-
- On the main road
- Posts: 130
- Joined: Wed Nov 09, 2011 9:09 pm
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
seal is out, the screw trick to the seal worked great. I drilled two small holes one on the top one in the bottom and threaded in two drywall screws and pulled each side, popped right out. Perfect.PaulD wrote:You don't need to drain the gearbox oil, you can lean the bike over on the other side & rest it on the foot rest. Also instead of using a screwdriver and risk damaging the crankcase (yes I know it can be done without damage but why take the chance) I drill two small holes (1mm ish) in the seal outer cage with my Dremel then screw two small tappers in and grab them with some sturdy pliers and Bobs yer mothers brother![]()
P.s make sure you blow out any swarf with your airline before you remove the old seal
- PaulD
- Around the block
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2016 9:01 pm
- Country: United Kingdom
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: T250, Dunstall GT750L, GSXR1100, Z1300, GT500
- Location: If I'm not working I'm in the shed
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Before you put the new seal in place make sure there are no burrs around the seal housing then I soak the new seal in two stroke oil overnight and smear some on the end of the crankshaft where the seal runs, drive the new seal in "GENTLY" with a suitably sized socket and the jobs done.
Those jap bikes are rubbish they won't last five minutes son, get yourself a nice Royal Enfield!
A quote from my old dad
1971 Pink GT750J
1973 Blue T500J
A quote from my old dad
1971 Pink GT750J
1973 Blue T500J
-
- Road race school
- Posts: 792
- Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2012 1:18 am
- Country: UK
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: GT380B, GT550B, GT750A, GSX1400
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Also, if there are any sharp bits on the end of the shaft it can be helpful to wrap a couple of turns of PTFE tape around the end temporarily just before you slide the seal over, then pull off the tape. Its as smooth as a smooth thing on honey, then
Mike

Mike
- jabcb
- Moto GP
- Posts: 4311
- Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:32 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: 69 T350 thru 75 GT750
- Location: southwestern Pennsylvania
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Did you get this figured out?
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more
Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
- PaulD
- Around the block
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2016 9:01 pm
- Country: United Kingdom
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: T250, Dunstall GT750L, GSXR1100, Z1300, GT500
- Location: If I'm not working I'm in the shed
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Yes +1 on what Mike said, nice one Mike I had forgot to mention thatyeadon_m wrote:Also, if there are any sharp bits on the end of the shaft it can be helpful to wrap a couple of turns of PTFE tape around the end temporarily just before you slide the seal over, then pull off the tape. Its as smooth as a smooth thing on honey, then![]()
Mike

Those jap bikes are rubbish they won't last five minutes son, get yourself a nice Royal Enfield!
A quote from my old dad
1971 Pink GT750J
1973 Blue T500J
A quote from my old dad
1971 Pink GT750J
1973 Blue T500J
-
- On the main road
- Posts: 130
- Joined: Wed Nov 09, 2011 9:09 pm
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
thanks Bob, seal is here and plan to finish today. Should be okay now. Thank you.jabcb wrote:Did you get this figured out?
-
- On the main road
- Posts: 130
- Joined: Wed Nov 09, 2011 9:09 pm
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Bust on the right seal. I had no problem installing the new seal but still smoking heavy from the right pipe. How common is the center/right seal fail? Any other ideas? Thanks
- jabcb
- Moto GP
- Posts: 4311
- Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:32 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: 69 T350 thru 75 GT750
- Location: southwestern Pennsylvania
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
If the problem was the right crank seal, then it might just take a while to clear out the right exhaust.
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more
Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
-
- On the main road
- Posts: 130
- Joined: Wed Nov 09, 2011 9:09 pm
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Possible...it could be the center right side trode thehough too correct?? The center bearing is lubed with tranny oil? I rode it 10 min and still smoking more from right.jabcb wrote:If the problem was the right crank seal, then it might just take a while to clear out the right exhaust.
-
- To the on ramp
- Posts: 237
- Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:46 am
- Country: United Kingdom
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: T500J
- Location: Eastbourne
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
I think a good 5 miles at 4000rpm (and subsequent numb fingers) are needed to burn off the residual oil in the crankcase and exhausts