Oil in my Left Crank case cover?

[Big Splash]

So, I'm in the midst of my first total teardown and rebuild of my 74 CB550 and, after I finally got ahold of an impact driver to get the seized screws off, I open the left crank case cover, and oil spills (or rather drizzles) out on my foot. uhhh? I don't think oil belongs in there. Not that much anyways. Basically, I didn't do too much digging around yet, becuase it got dark, but I wanted to throw a post up to ask what this could allude to. Thanks!

 

[Big R]

Its ok, oil is supposed to be in there. Was the bike on the kickstand or center stand?

Just take a look along the bottom edge inside the cover for anything blocking the oil return passages.

 

[Big Splash]

Gravy. Thanks Big R. It's on the center stand as well as on cynder blocks under the frame. I didn't know there were return passages in the crankcase cover. I am a total newbie. Hey, do you happen to know if my cam cover isn't coming off because I forgot to loosen the rockers first? Thanks again.

 

[Big R]

What do you mean by "cam cover"? The head cover (very top of the motor) shouldnt be affected by it and if the timing chain is broke loose then the heads should slide up too.

Im not familiar with your bike, but check that there's no hidden bolts. And sometimes it's just that the parts have been pressed together for so long that they dont seperate easily.

 

[crazypj]

CB550 doens't have oil inside generator cover, it should be dry.
There is a plug that can drop out if you turn motor over with generator cover off.
There is at least one thread about it on SOHC 4
If you mean sprocket cover, the oil pump is under there, the oil pressure switch leaks, plus gearchange shaft seal, output shaft seal