Slash 5 Flywheel removal

[kwb210]

probably not over-loaded considering the German engineers and what they had in mind, or did not have in mind.

[kwb210]

I started with just a question but suddenly here i am finishing my project on the forum.
I have a rear main seal installer that works beyond perfect! Once you have cleaned the surface where the seal will go apply some gasket stuff, I usually use Yamabond, let the seal sit for a minute after the Yamabond is applied, press it up against the engine just enough to hold itself in place, then place the seal installer against it and thread in the flywheel bolts. THen it is just a matter of going around in circles ( I am especially good at this) and throwing a turn or two on each bolt. Soon the seal installer bottoms out and the seal is in place with no damage!

[kwb210]

there she is, living happily there after doing her job if applied properly, lots of leaning towards the word properly, otherwise a big mess on your clutch disk.

[kwb210]

Oh boy, now I get to install the lightened flywheel. a little engine oil on the part that rests on the seal and push it in til you hit bottom, yup, I mean that. Then do the torque settings etc using something like I did to hold the wheel from turning.

[kwb210]

Clean up the clutch assembly with some brake cleaner so as not to leave any stuff on the surface.

[kwb210]

Using the clutch centering tool makes life better. At least for the couple of minutes when you go to install the transmission! Nothing better than alignment, okay, nothing currently comes to mind. Use the tool as you insert the bolts to begin pressing the clutch assembly back into the flywheel, lots of pressure, do it carefully and with the correct bolts. Then the allens that will be placed are much easier to install to their 17 ft lbs.

[20774]

I've done three clutches in the past few years and have yet to use one of those tools! I have been able to eyeball the disk in the center, then feed the transmission on partially, hook up the clutch cable, pull it once, and it self centers. If I had the tool, I'd probably use it though....

[lmo1131]

It's pretty obvious why this guy is being pulled over... everybody knows it's illegal to drive with a crack in your windshield.

[kwb210]

It took more hours to see a response than I thought it would!
So...moving along, i cleaned up the transmission, getting the spline ready for the sticky grease stuff. It was not to dirty, I use scotch-brite and either WD-40 or a solvent to clean off the grease/clutch dust, it goes pretty fast.

[kwb210]

I bought this little container a few years ago, have used it a number of times and am surprised at how far it goes. Each time I am surprised at just how sticky the stuff is, I guess it has to manage itself in a spinning world where the goal is to spin off the grease, follow that?

[kwb210]

So the spline is nicely coated with the sticky moly grease, the frame rails are protected by plumbing insulation ( no reason to hack up the frame with a bunch of chips ) and the transmission slips, slides, rolls and suddenly slides into the right position, it helps to remove the clutch actuating rod, gives a little more clearance. With the clutch rod out of the way the transmission can be moved into the spot without any real hassle or chipping of paint, take your time! Repeat "just take your time" and it will go where it should go.

[kwb210]

Now with the transmission in place and a couple of fasteners holding it tight to the engine block you can finish up the swingarm. I had pulled out the bearings, cleaned off the old stiff grease, dried them out and pushed in new wheel bearing grease. I used a light touch of scotch brite pad to very carefully take off any ridges from the race, they are tiny so just a light wiping works to clean the races up. Insert the greased bearings into the swingarm. Take the new grease seal and carefully push in the spacer. Then place on the swingarm and use a large socket to bump it into place. Once on the bike I will then push a grease gun into the fitting and finish filling the area with grease. i usually leave a bit in between the frame and the swingarm to prevent water from entering.

[kwb210]

Using a couple of jack stands it is easy to slide the swingarm into the frame. Align the holes and screw in the swing arm pivot bolts and then of course do the balancing act of getting it centered.

[22600]

Thanks for all the details and pics. It's nice to see the job done right. I replaced the clutch in my /5 back in the 70's on my front porch. It took all night and I didn't have any of those fancy tools but wish I did. Next day after I put it in, I left on a Mexico trip and worried about it for the next two weeks until I got back. I didn't have any trouble with it at all which goes to show you that these bikes are just easy to work on.

I do appreciate your information on tools and the pics; the next time I have to do the job I will do it better.

DW

[m_stock10506]

Nice write-up and photos. There is only one very brief mention in post #1 about blocking the crank before proceeding with this job. It's worth mentioning how important this is to avoid possible engine damage or a possible engine teardown. Do you have a photo of the crank blocked to share?