Starter gasket???

[VinnySem]

Was just looking through the stator papers again, and saw the mention of a starter gasket. My '82 GS550L didn't have one when I did the job, and there isn't one detailed in the exploded parts view on Bike Bandit or any other parts resource. Is there one on this bike? If so, where can I get one, as Bike Bandit doesn't list it.

[Billy Ricks]

It's just an o-ring that fits where the starter slips into the left side of the crankcase.

[VinnySem]

Not the O-Ring - this is what I am talking about:

[bwringer]

You don't need it. I have no idea why some engines had one in there, but it doesn't actually seal anything and it is completely superfluous. Note that there is a notch in one corner of the starter cavity for the wires to enter. Rain water gets in here too, but if you look under the starter, there's a drain hole that exits via the Mystery Hole.

[Billy Ricks]

You don't need it. I have no idea why some engines had one in there, but it doesn't actually seal anything and it is completely superfluous. Note that there is a notch in one corner of the starter cavity for the wires to enter. Rain water gets in here too, but if you look under the starter, there's a drain hole that exits via the Mystery Hole.

Mine never had one and as you say the notch for the wiring defeats the purpose of a gasket.

[VinnySem]

OK cool. Reason I was wondering, there was some water in the starter cavity that didn't drain, and spilled out and into the waste oil drain pan when I changed the stator coil. At first I didn't know where it came from, seeing water spill out of what I thought was part of the crankcase caused quite a bit of concern

[Billy Ricks]

OK cool. Reason I was wondering, there was some water in the starter cavity that didn't drain, and spilled out and into the waste oil drain pan when I changed the stator coil. At first I didn't know where it came from, seeing water spill out of what I thought was part of the crankcase caused quite a bit of concern

The drain hole must be clogged. Run something through it to clear it out.