inside of a pulse generator?

Posted by dyelawn on Sep 27, 2012; 8:31pm
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/inside-of-a-pulse-generator-tp4029943.html

I'm leaking oil on my 82' CB750C, pretty sure through the pulse generator.  There is oil residue accumulating along the seams of the very outside (where the painted black metal meets the unpainted cover) and where the painted black piece meets the engine.  I understand there is a rubber gasket for the unpainted cover and a bigger paper gasket for the other seam.  I ordered both through my local Honda shop and they've come in.

My question is for anyone who's taken apart the pulse generator: what does it look like in there?  Am I right to assume that under normal circumstances this is a dry chamber?  I took the cover off once and there was some oil- at the time I thought that "that's weird, I thought this would be a dry chamber, now I get it's because of the leak...  When unscrewing the larger metal piece from the rest of the engine to replace that paper gasket- do I need to drain the oil from the engine first? (I assume so?), or is there another barrier to the engine or something...

I've never tried to replace an oil leak before, and I haven't opened this chamber.  If anyone's got tips or insights, I'd appreciate hearing them.  Thanks.