Does anyone know if the countershaft bearings in the side cases can come out without splitting the cases? I saw a picture that shows a screwed in retaing plate on the clutch side of the right side cases, in the picture it looks like I could remove the retaining plate and the bearing would slide out.

 

The cases have to be split to get the bearings out of either side on the countershaft. The plate that you are referring to, does it have two screws in it, one at either end? If so, are you sure you aren't referring to the crankshaft? It has a plate on the exterior clutch side, the countershaft has a plate with two screws inside the case on the left side and a small plate on the interior right side with a single screw. Either way, if you are going to take bearings out, you'll have to split the cases. You can get all the seals in there without splitting it, though.