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Started by mildhog at 01-09-2009 5:30 PM. Topic has 31 replies.

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   01-09-2009, 5:30 PM
mildhog is not online. Last active: 7/23/2010 8:57:15 PM mildhog



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Joined on 11-21-2007
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Tach Driver Seal
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I was trying to change the tach seal and broke the tab.  Why is that thing so hard to get out?  Is it a press fit?  Tried heat and no joy.  Al the Instructor Pilot used a bent screwdriver but I'm afraid I'll break something.  What's the trick?

Arnie in VA
1980 GL1100I Goldwing
1982 GL500I Silverwing
1983 GL650
(The stable is full)
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   01-10-2009, 3:00 PM
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Joined on 12-15-2007
Orlando FL
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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Watch and learn
 
side view of the screw driver. The seal in the picture is the old cam end seal for scale.

front view

use a small hammer to drive the screw driver into the seal.

Pop it out.
I smoothed the edges of the screwdriver so it would not gouge the aluminum housing. You might have to work your way around the seal to finally pop it out. I guess it depends on how long the seal has been in there because when I rebuilt my spare, which is pictured by the way, it popped out with the first try. The one on my bike took a little longer, I had to work my way around it. Al
A whole bunch of old junk
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   01-10-2009, 3:05 PM
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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1978 Honda Cx500 Maggot
1979 Honda Cx500 Custom
1980 Cx500 Deluxe

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   01-10-2009, 3:12 PM
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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I had to switch to firefox. sorry it took so long. Also, I had the housing clamped in a vise to hold it. I used a thick rag to protect the housing.
Al

A whole bunch of old junk
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   01-10-2009, 5:18 PM
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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Thanks for the primer and pictures.  Being as hamfisted as I am sometimes, I was afraid to bang on it with a hammer.  Thought the heat would work but broke the tab pulling on it.  Like I said, hamfisted.

Arnie in VA
1980 GL1100I Goldwing
1982 GL500I Silverwing
1983 GL650
(The stable is full)
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   01-11-2009, 2:17 AM
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Joined on 12-15-2007
Orlando FL
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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Yeah, I broke one the first time I did one as well. I tried to pull the seal out with the tach drive but the tab is to brittle and it broke. I got another one off ebay and was more careful the second time. There is a very hard metal thrust washer under the seal so hitting it with a hammer won't hurt the area under the seal. You will ruin the seal wnen you take it out but it was not working anyway right.
Al
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   01-12-2009, 3:56 AM
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Joined on 04-28-2006
Canberra, Australia
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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Hi Folks,

I tried to pull the seal out with the tach drive but the tab is to brittle and it broke.
Been there - done that (quite a few years ago).

Fortunately I was also able to buy a complete used camshaft holder (from which I, with the help of my husband, much more carefully removed the seal) and, eventually, I was able to get a new tach gear (the bit the tab broke off) from eBay.  The tach gear was "no longer available" from Honda as long ago as 4-5 years ago so you really do need to look after them!!

However, if I'd had a better understanding of the tach gear shaft seal construction before I started the first time I would have approached the job differently.  The shaft seal consists of a rubber encased metal plate with an inner lip that is spring tensioned.  Keep in mind that the metal plate is at the top of the seal (or the side facing you, looking down the hole).  So - for those of you who are new to this type of seal here's a pic to show you what it looks like in cross-section:



As you can see you need to break through the metal casing (which looks very much like a washer if you manage to peel away the rubber casing first) so that you can extract the seal.  In the case of the original camshaft holder in which I broke the tach gear tab it took a lot of patience and a very fine tip screwdriver which had been sharpened to break the metal plate in several places before I could break the seal sufficiently to extract it using a dental pick.


Kathy

1978 GL1000 GoldWing
1980 CX500 Shadow
2006 NT700V Deauville
2006 F650GS Dakar

Previously:
1976 CB250
1976 400/4 Super Sports
1980 CX500 Shadow (new)
1983 GL650 SilverWing Interstate
1983 GL700 Wing Interstate
2004 NT650V Deauville
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   01-12-2009, 5:40 AM
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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Thanks for the info, Kathy. Since I have a couple of drives coming in from ebay, I'll practice on the one I broke.
Arnie in VA
1980 GL1100I Goldwing
1982 GL500I Silverwing
1983 GL650
(The stable is full)
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   01-12-2009, 6:42 AM
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COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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I need to do this in the future too.  Could one drill a small hole in the metal casing and thread in a self-tapping screw to pull the seal out?  That would seem to be easier than trying to punch through the casing and risk a slip.

Blue Fox
1983 GL650I, 79-CX500C, 1980 CX500C, 82-GL500I, 82-GL1100, 76-CB550, 81-CB750C, 73-CB350F, 71-CT90,
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   01-12-2009, 6:58 AM
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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Might work if the hole and screw is small enough. Not a whole lot of room to work with.
Arnie in VA
1980 GL1100I Goldwing
1982 GL500I Silverwing
1983 GL650
(The stable is full)
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   01-12-2009, 7:52 AM
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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I thought I had posted in this one already, but I guess not. I too broke the first one I tried to remove. So with the broken one I tried some thing and it worked very well.

With the tach drive cam holder removed, I heated the surrounding area around the seal with a propane torch until the rubber around the seal began to smoke. It didn't take much heat to do that. With the seal slightly melted, I pulled the assembly out with a pair of needle nose pliers with no resistance. I have done the same thing 3 more times with no damge to the shaft at all. Try it, you'll like it.

If your going to do something, do it right, don't do it half as@*d.
78 CX500 Std, 79 CX500 project, 80 CX500C, 83 GL650I
http://globalcxglvtwins.hostingdelivered.com/
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   01-12-2009, 8:14 AM
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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Great idea Larry.  That's going to be my first try.  I assume the worm gear pulls out with the seal then?

Blue Fox
1983 GL650I, 79-CX500C, 1980 CX500C, 82-GL500I, 82-GL1100, 76-CB550, 81-CB750C, 73-CB350F, 71-CT90,
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   01-12-2009, 8:19 AM
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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Yes it does Blue, the gear and shaft are all one piece. When you pull up on it the gear pushes the seal up and out of the housing with even pressure all the way around it.

If your going to do something, do it right, don't do it half as@*d.
78 CX500 Std, 79 CX500 project, 80 CX500C, 83 GL650I
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   01-12-2009, 9:26 AM
mildhog is not online. Last active: 7/23/2010 8:57:15 PM mildhog



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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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Larry, I saw your heat fix in another thread which is why I tried it. Maybe I didn't get it hot enough 'cause I couldn't get it to budge...and then the tab broke. Like I said, hamfisted...maybe stupid too.
Arnie in VA
1980 GL1100I Goldwing
1982 GL500I Silverwing
1983 GL650
(The stable is full)
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   01-12-2009, 9:31 AM
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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Sinse it's broken any way, heat it up again and see how well it works.
Can't hurt it now. And it will let you see how it works.
If your going to do something, do it right, don't do it half as@*d.
78 CX500 Std, 79 CX500 project, 80 CX500C, 83 GL650I
http://globalcxglvtwins.hostingdelivered.com/
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   01-12-2009, 9:46 AM
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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aye aye
Arnie in VA
1980 GL1100I Goldwing
1982 GL500I Silverwing
1983 GL650
(The stable is full)
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   01-14-2009, 4:31 AM
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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Used a propane torch and tried the heat again on the broken one and it wouldn't budge. Finally used the screwdriver/hammer and got it out so that's the way I went with the replacement. No problems but I was pretty nervous about it, being hamfisted and all.
Arnie in VA
1980 GL1100I Goldwing
1982 GL500I Silverwing
1983 GL650
(The stable is full)
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   01-14-2009, 6:17 AM
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SW Lower Michigan, USA
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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Excellent and informative thread. Especially from Kathy in OZ. The pic of the seal is worth a thousand words.

When prying, drilling etc the important thing is to not damage the shaft esp at the sealing lip area. A few scratches in the holder body are no big deal as a bit of sealant used upon installation of new seal will take care of that. If scratches/gouges are produced clean them up as best you can with a bit of fine abrasive paper etc.

When assembling and before the seal is installed some moly grease on the gear is a good idea.

Jobs like this are best done with a clear mind....not a task for late at night, in the dark, in the cold when impatience can be a problem. (The voice of experience)

Hoppy
'80 CX500 Deluxe (Roadworthy)
'79 CX500 Custom (Parts)
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   01-14-2009, 3:54 PM
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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It took me four hours to change that damn seal. Broke it to bits. I did drill a small hole in it and used a pick to rotate it out. That seemed to work the best. I wailed on it with a hammer for awhile. Soaked it in P.B. Blaster. Froze it with can spray. Cussed at it alot. The gear ended up stuck I hit it so much. Could not for the life of me get in one night. Finished the next day. This is all that was left. Used a deep socket to drive the new one in.

Michael

 


1981 CX500 Custom Sadly sold
1981 CB650 Custom (It Runs!)
Just say no to skin graphs, wear your gear!

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   01-25-2009, 3:01 PM
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Powder Springs, GA
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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Sorry for the ignorance, but I am about to replace my tach cable and can't see where it goes. Do I need to remove the radiator? If so what sort of maintenance should I do to the front of the engine while the radiator is off?
1982 GL500i (currently being rebuilt from ground up)

NO! Try not. Do or do not do. There is no try - Yoda
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   01-25-2009, 3:59 PM
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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There is a way to replace the cable with the radiator on but it's a tight fit with a long screwdriver. Haven't tried it yet but since it's only 3 bolts and two hoses holding it on I would drain and pull the radiator and check out the fan. If it looks a bit shaky or warn replace it.  M14 x 1.5 bolt 2 inches long removes the fan.

1978 Honda Cx500 Maggot
1979 Honda Cx500 Custom
1980 Cx500 Deluxe

Buy HTTA Items
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   01-25-2009, 5:52 PM
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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If you neal down on the right side of the bike,(Side without a brake rotor) look between the front engine hanger and the rad. Looking upward. (You might need a flashlight.) You should see the screw that holds the cable in place. With a long screwdriver, remove screw enough to withdraw cable. Leave it in the Cam housing. With the tank off it should pull out.

That is if someone already has replaced the cable before you. Honda put the bolt in at 1 o'clock instaed of 8 o'clock. If you need pics, I'll take some in the afternoon tomarrow.

It is easyier to replace the cable like this, but. If your like me, its an opportunity to do some other main. while your in there.

Michael


1981 CX500 Custom Sadly sold
1981 CB650 Custom (It Runs!)
Just say no to skin graphs, wear your gear!

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   01-28-2009, 1:29 PM
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Indiana
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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If anyone needs one still together i have one i'll sell.

'79 Honda 750FZ,
'80 Honda 750F (Parts Bike),
2003 Mini crotch rocket 49cc w/ perf pipe and carb,
and a partidge in a pear tree
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   06-29-2009, 12:32 PM
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Joined on 04-22-2006
Santa Rosa, CA
Posts 1,585
Re: Tach Driver Seal
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Any idea where to get tach drive seals? 
TAS Motorsports no longer has them in stock, and can't get them. 
I've been on hold for a month now.



CX500 Turbo, GL650I, Two CX650E's, and one Crown Jewel of the CX line- CX650T.

Why do I own five CX/GL bikes? Ask an alcoholic why he drinks.

Donating Member.
Sold: 1981 CX500D, 2- 1982 CX500T's, 1983 CX650C.
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   07-01-2009, 4:00 PM
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Joined on 11-21-2007
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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Got mine from the dealer. They had them for my GL500.

Arnie in VA
1980 GL1100I Goldwing
1982 GL500I Silverwing
1983 GL650
(The stable is full)
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   07-01-2009, 6:05 PM
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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Wow, glad I got mine a couple of months ago.  Will the seal from another bike fit?

1982 GL500i (currently being rebuilt from ground up)

NO! Try not. Do or do not do. There is no try - Yoda
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   07-01-2009, 6:27 PM
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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SKU: 91201-415-003
OIL SEAL (17X28X7) (Honda Code 0670836)


It appears that this oil seal fits all CX/GL 500's.

Arnie in VA
1980 GL1100I Goldwing
1982 GL500I Silverwing
1983 GL650
(The stable is full)
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   07-28-2009, 8:06 PM
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Joined on 04-20-2009
Toledo, OH
Posts 506
Re: Tach Driver Seal
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I would drill a small hole through the seal, and thread a long, skinny screw into it, one on both sides, so you can apply even pressure. the seal should lift right out.

80 CX 500
2000 CR 250 DIRT BIKE!!!!!!!!!!
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   02-21-2010, 3:57 PM
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Joined on 04-20-2009
Toledo, OH
Posts 506
Re: Tach Driver Seal
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Now i am looking for this seal. it is discontinued, noone seems to carry it

80 CX 500
2000 CR 250 DIRT BIKE!!!!!!!!!!
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   02-21-2010, 5:14 PM
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Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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Someone posted David Silva spares from across the pond.

1979 CX500 Supertanker
ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier.

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   02-22-2010, 1:08 AM
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Joined on 02-12-2009
southern spain
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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 Blindstitch wrote:
Someone posted David Silva spares from across the pond.

that was me don,idont think they have them.but,dillon brothers are listing as available
http://www.powersportspro.com/pages/parts/viewbybrand/7/Honda.aspx

when i feel the need,i do it,llego,ve 60,s
-----------------------------

2008.1982 honda gli silverwing [uk model ]
2010.1981 honda gli silverwing [uk model ]


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   03-03-2010, 5:57 PM
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Joined on 02-20-2009
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Re: Tach Driver Seal
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Getting your hands on that rare seal is one problem these days.....successfully swapping it out can be a whole other can of worms...take it from one who's struggled with it.

Maybe you could try dredging E Bay for a used "Camshaft Holder & Tach Gear" which no doubt would have the needed seal already in place. If I remember correctly, that part spanned over quite a few years of CX's, but check it out before you commit to buy.

Worked for me....gweric
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