HT4848 Is it possible to partition an external hard drive that is already being used for Time Machine backups without it being erased?

I'm want to use my current external hard drive, which I use for Time Machine Backup, as a recovery disk for Mac OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.2. From what I have read, the recovery disk assistant will erase all data on the external drive unless it is partitioned. Can I partition my current backup drive without erasing it, even though it is already being used for Time Machine?

It's very simple to test.  Turn off your computer.  Have your time machine backup plugged in.  Hold option and turn it on, keeping option held.  Do you see your time machine drive?  If so, select it and press enter. You'll end up in recovery.  If it works, there you go.  Then just click the apple and restart to get back to your regular desktop.  Then you'll know for when you're ready to do the deed.
Edit...
I'm not sure if time machine will think it's an entirely different computer, though, when a hard drive changed, making an actual restore not doable.  Either way, you could still reinstall mt lion fresh and then just migrate after, skipping the need for SL.

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