Note: Please excuse any incorrect terminology that I may use in this post. I'll do my best to describe my problem.

My bike ('00 VN750) has developed an oil leak where the drive shaft hooks up with the transmission. It appears to be leaking from a gasket.

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/3784/leak1nx5.jpg

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/2049/leak2db8.jpg

Has anyone else here had this problem happen before? If so, what would be the best way to approach this? I'd assume it'd be to remove the rear wheel and drive, and work my way to the bad gasket. I did see some guides to removing the wheel that look like they'd be very helpful.

Also, while I have this taken apart, is there anything I should just go ahead and replace now to prevent a problem in the future? I'd rather not do a job twice.

I plan on fixing the problem myself. I consider myself fairly mechanically inclined (once took 2 Honda Rebel 250s, disassembled them, and combined them into one good bike in a weekend), so I don't doubt that I would be able to accomplish this without having to take it into a shop. I've never had to do any work to a bike that has a shaft drive before, so this is kind of new to me.

Any advice or tips that can be provided would be great. Thanks.

The leak you are pointing to is originating from what is called the forward bevel gear. You will need to remove it which is fairly straight forward in that you remove the bolts holding it on and it should come off. There are 2 parts that will fall out, a spring and a drive "gear". The gear is really a 3 lobed piece that fits onto the transmission output shaft. Once off the bike, it looks like there are 4 bolts that hold the final assembly to the bevel gear case. The gasket can probably be found on either the Bike Bandit or Ron Ayers websites. You should probably order a replacement gasket for the bevel gear as well for its reinstall.

I would highly recommend getting a manual. 90% of all your question about removal and installation of parts are answered in them. The Kaw manual is a free download from TOC manufacturing and the Clymer's can be had on ebay for about $25 or so. I use both.

you can find the gasket here (http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/kDtkSIu2KoCcrDP6Mra1n-WbVdS5HBvxxehGoIt3pKDbX6MTh6J7SeIx5ZGeMO578KcUM213 2cYZuoZgSETKqhRn0K8jg3ds54g/Gasket%20Templates/Gasket_03.jpg) for free

But you still need the gasket material. I wouldn't trust regular office paper to do the job although card stock may work. He still needs the gasket where the drive shaft meets the forward bevel gear.

I checked the micro fiche and there are 2 O rings where the oil leak seems to be coming from. One is 65mm and the other doesn't give a size, just a part number. The link is here. http://fiche.ronayers.com/Index.cfm/Module/Main/TypeID/26/Type/Motorcycle/MakeID/3/Make/Kawasaki/YearID/34/Year/1993/ModelID/4293/Model/Vulcan_750/GroupID/135858/Group/Front_Bevel_Gear(2/2)

Are we looking at part number 671? If so, that is a standard o ring part number that any auto parts store should stock....going to look into it a little more today after work....I have the same oil leak that needs fixed ASAP...it keeps getting worse.

How long should it take to fix the leaks once I have the parts?

Looked up both PN 670 and 671....both are common O-Rings in the O-Ring Kits..... the 92055-1306 on the other hand is a Kaw Part....thinking about ordering it and then taking it to a local seal and bearing shop to see if they ahve anything close enough to match it that a normal part store would carry. Would the Stealership carry these O-Rings...I just hate to have to wait for parts when i could get it all done this week end

Thanks for the advice so far. I was able to find, download, and print some of the service manual PDF. It does look fairly straight forward.

If it is 670 and 671 on the parts microfiche, that would be great to just go to the parts store and pick up a couple of o-rings without the motorcycle markup and shipping costs. My local dealership is worthless when it comes to parts, or anything else for that matter.

Might I suggest, while you're in the area, check the splines for lube?

The 671 part is just a 65mm O ring. I would think any 65mm O ring would suffice.
The other one, the stealership may or may not have. Mine surprised me in that they had my crush gaskets for the exhaust but I cheated and told them it was for an 06. They usually just deny they have any parts for a 93. Ignorant fools.
And yes, I agree with dragon, check the splines.

went to the local auto parts stores yesterday...no one carries the 670 oring...darn...next weekend i am checking with the seal shops...they should have it...but what i did find out was all could order and the o-ring is $1.00 to $5.00 without any shipping charges....yea...

Coupla other observations. To remove the front bevel gear case assembly with the motor in the frame the exhaust has to be removed. You must also have a thick 22 mm or 7/8 inch nut (or special socket) and a vice to hold the driven gear nut.

I am sure my leak was at least in part due to the broken spring in the driven gear oil seal. If it wasn't such a pain to replace I would probably just scrounge another spring from a used seal and put it back together. It looks like the Bike Bandit part is TC35527 which I assume corresponds to the 35 mm id, 52 mm od, and 7 mm thickness of the seal.