'93 K1100 drive shaft RR without removing the swing arm?

[KCKBMOA]

I've seen a bunch of info here on the spline lube issue, and I'm into it now. Would someone please tell me if it's possible to remove the drive shaft from the swing arm, after the final drive is removed, without removing the swing arm to do it? The book just jumps right into removing the swing arm, as though that is necessary...is it? :sick Geez, for something that's listed as a yearly maintenance item, that sure is a lot of work, :huh . The clock has 50K on it now, and the splines at the rear are still greasy and show minimal wear, which is good. I wonder if the front end was ever looked at. :brow It's apart now, so I'll have to make a decision to bit the bullet, or try it without. KC

[jdiaz]

The driveshaft connection at the front has an internal circlip to hold it in place, so you should just be able to yank on the back of the driveshaft with a set of pliers.

That said, I would take the swingarm off and replace the ancient swingarm bearings anyway. :D

[KCKBMOA]

Pulling the drive shaft out looks like it can be done fairly easy, as I was at a local independent shop today that coincidently had 2 Ks in various states of reassembly. 1 had the u-joint at the rear go bad, and it actually started to cut a groove around the inside of the housing! :eek That could be real disaster. Anyhow, as I was asking about my spline lube job, the guys said getting the shaft out is not the hard part. Holding the front u-joint up so it can engage the trans, working through that long tubular swing arm will be the challenge. They both said it would be easier in the long run to just take the swing arm off and get on with the job. The other bike had a clutch hub spline that was almost smooth! Man, if that doesn't make you a believer in the lube job requirement, nothing will. Stopped at the offical BMW shop on the way to work, and asked to buy some of the spline lube, of course they didn't have it. So now I understand why I see all the posts about what people are using. So far, this shop has been entirely lame when it comes to parts for my old '93 K, or advice. They couldn't even find the bulbs for inside the gauge cluster in the parts book. It is so obvious that they don't want to deal with someone who isn't looking at a new bike. I've been there 5 times now, and each time I swear I'm not going back. Anyway, I guess I'll muddle through, ..It ain't rocket science:thumb KC

[bmwmick]

KC,
Was the dealer the one in T.O.? My kid said they were pretty clueless when it came to parts.

Pull the swingarm, it's a LOT easier. Some driveshafts will slike out and some won't. They changed the front yoke at one point and it's large enough that you have to grind some of the inner casting away on the swingarm to allow it to slide through.

What you observed on that failed clutch hub was not lack of lube but some type of angular mis-alignment. There is no lube requirement on the K1100's. When I replaced my clutch at 115K miles, the splines were like new. The only time you need to lube those splines is when you are in there for other work like replacing the friction disc. Honda Moly 60 is about the best thing around. I would NOT use the dealer lube, it's mostly soap. : ))

[KCKBMOA]

BMWMick, Thanks for the info, I was going to plan a time to get deeper for the clutch spline, but I'll check the book to see if it's on the scheduled chart. I never saw it there, but saw some posts on the topic. Also, I'd forgotten what to ask for at the Honda shop, so you saved me a search. No, not the shop you mentioned, this is closer to home. I do spent weeks out your way when Bombardier is doing an inspection, and last time I rented an HD and rode up to Globe, in June, WOW. Blast furnance, with short downpours which felt good!:clap . KC

[bmwmick]

BMWMick, Thanks for the info, I was going to plan a time to get deeper for the clutch spline, but I'll check the book to see if it's on the scheduled chart. I never saw it there, but saw some posts on the topic. Also, I'd forgotten what to ask for at the Honda shop, so you saved me a search. No, not the shop you mentioned, this is closer to home. I do spent weeks out your way when Bombardier is doing an inspection, and last time I rented an HD and rode up to Globe, in June, WOW. Blast furnance, with short downpours which felt good!:clap . KC

KC,
Let me guess...RPM cycles?

I'm going to assume you are a Learjet mechanic. Next time you need a bike in Tucson go here: http://www.arizonaadventureriders.com/rentals.htm
They are located at the local dealer's site and have access to lots of bikes.

Next time you come out, let me know.

[Kayseventyfive]

the kid at the Honda shop tried to sell me http://www.boats.net/parts/detail/Maintenance/LU-10005.1.html

Is this recommended?

[Ted]

I wouldn't use it - as Mick mentioned...

Honda Moly 60 is about the best thing around.

For a little interesting reading, try this (http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Shaft.html) (the Spline Lubricants part...)

Good luck with it!

[Kayseventyfive]

For a little interesting reading, try this (http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Shaft.html) (the Spline Lubricants part...)



Nice link. Thanks.

Interestingly, the comments there about Honda dealer service are a little scary, as my BMW dealer is mostly a Honda dealer. My next closest BMW dealer is really a BMW car dealer with a parts department that doesn't inspire confidence. The guy flat-out told me my '92 is too old for them to even order parts.