Clutch Cover - Do I NEED a new gasket right now?

I picked up a 1980 XJ650 Maxim a few weeks ago and just got some oil, new filter, and new plugs which I'd like to change tonight. When I was trying to check the oil a few different times I couldn't see anything through the sight glass. I had the bike on the center stand and shined a flash light on it but still couldn't see anything so I have no idea if it's overfilled, undefiled, or the sight glass is just that stained/dirty.

I was thinking when I drain the oil I'd just pull over the clutch cover and try and clean the sight glass but I have 2 things I'm not exactly sure about.

1. I know it's preferred to put a new gasket on (which I will do eventually) but for now would it be that bad of an idea just to use the one that's on there now? That's assuming there is one vs gasket maker junk.

2. I've read tons of threads and watched videos but for some reason I am still a little confused about putting the clutch cover back on. I remember seeing a bunch of people having trouble when they did it because they didn't know how to attach the clutch cable correctly or something along those lines. Can I just pull the cover off without messing with the clutch cable? I don't want to have to re-adjust it now.


I was also gonna put a few ounces of seafoam in the crankcase and let it idle for maybe 20 minutes before draining the oil. My other option is to just not mess with the clutch cover right now and hope maybe the seafoam cleans the sign glass enough for me to see the oil level.

Thanks!

 

I may be overfilled. Put the bike on the ground and have somene lean it to the left and see if the bubble appears. After that, I would just drain the oil and refill it to the correct level. I really doubt that the sight glass is damaged. I also wouldn't put sea foam in the oil.

 

Yea I thought of that but unfortunately don't have anyone to help lean the bike over that much. I was back and forth about the seafoam but I think I will put a little in there and let it idle for 10 minutes or so just to get some junk out. I don't think the sight glass is damaged.. if anything I'm guessing it's just stained which is another reason I was wanting to try the seafoam quick.

Is it that much of a hassle if I were to quick take the clutch cover off to try and clean it that way?

 

Putting the bike on the side stand should pretty much clear the sight glass of oil.

 

I had to clean the sight glass on mine when I got her. Years of sitting with sludgy oil had clouded the glass and covered the backing plate that lets you see the oil level. Odds are that the old gasket will tear when you remove the cover.

BUT:

Drain the oil first. If it's overfilled you'll know right then and there. That will let you see if the sight glass really needs to be cleaned or not.

If a new gasket isn't in your budget just yet, or you need the bike for transportation right now, use Seafoam in the new oil (directions on the can) to clean out any sludge that may be sitting in there. Run it for a few days, but at least 100 miles. It might clean the sightglass enough to be useable without having to pull the clutch cover, and it will be of benefit for the rest of the engine (including the neutral switch and oil level sensor).

 

I ended up changing it last night. I put a few ounces of seafoam in the crankcase and let it idle for maybe 20 minutes and went through the gears a few times. Drained everything and sure enough it was way overfilled. Once it was empty I could tell right away the sight glass was fine. Put a new filter and fresh oil and it's good to go. Making a list of stuff I have to order ASAP (brakes) and like I figured the washer for the oil filter bolt wasn't there so I gotta grab one of those.