Driveline play--R100GS

[lightning]

Not sure if I have a problem or not--I noticed about an eighth inch play in the rear wheel of my 1992 R100GS when I was cleaning the wheels. No side to side--just driveline. It feels like it's in the Ujoint areas. How much play should there be? I would appreciate your input on this.

Thanks
Bill

[PGlaves]

Not sure if I have a problem or not--I noticed about an eighth inch play in the rear wheel of my 1992 R100GS when I was cleaning the wheels. No side to side--just driveline. It feels like it's in the Ujoint areas. How much play should there be? I would appreciate your input on this.

Thanks
Bill

How did you reach the 1/8" number. Are you rotating the wheel?

I often find as much as an inch or more (at the tire) due to gear mesh at the final drive, splines at the driveshaft, and gears in the tranny. Varies a lot by which gear you are in.

We might have better info if we know exactly what you did and saw.

And, yes - those driveshafts do have a reputation for failure at about 40K miles.

[lightning]

Oops...I left that important part out, Paul. In neutral, moving the wheel lightly back and forth, I feel about an eighth inch play. Hope that helps, and thanks for the response. The bike only has 12,000 miles.

[PGlaves]

Oops...I left that important part out, Paul. In neutral, moving the wheel lightly back and forth, I feel about an eighth inch play. Hope that helps, and thanks for the response. The bike only has 12,000 miles.

Probably a combination of final drive lash and drive spline. Put it on the centerstand and spin the tire by hand. See if you feel or hear anything unusual near the front of the swingarm where the U joint is located. Also see if there is any notchiness. It you feel notchiness or hear noises then physical examination of the U joint/driveshaft is in order.

[lbrackr756]

Oops...I left that important part out, Paul. In neutral, moving the wheel lightly back and forth, I feel about an eighth inch play. Hope that helps, and thanks for the response. The bike only has 12,000 miles.

I'm sorry, this sounds like your bike needs a complete rebuild, front to back. Tell ya what, I'll take it off your hands....I like a good mechanical challenge. Seriously, I don't think you have a problem at all. Just like "automatic rough" when you're 20 miles from the nearest town.

Little Egypt Airheads
'66 R50/2
'76 R75/6
'80 R100RT

"I have achieved my 70 years in the usual way: by sticking strictly to a scheme of life that would kill anyone else."
Mark Twain

[lightning]

Probably a combination of final drive lash and drive spline. Put it on the centerstand and spin the tire by hand. See if you feel or hear anything unusual near the front of the swingarm where the U joint is located. Also see if there is any notchiness. It you feel notchiness or hear noises then physical examination of the U joint/driveshaft is in order.

Thanks for the feedback. I was concerned because my other airheads have zero play in the drive. Knowing of the potential for problems with the GS, I fugured I better ask some questions.

[bikerfish1100]

Somewhat related to this- i took a look at a '89 GS the other day. 120,000 miles. Bike rode & shifted well, and felt smooth relative to driveline lash on the road. However, when rolling the bike to find neutral before starting (owner had parked it in 3rd, and the neutral light doesn't work, so finding neutral to start took a bit of foot stabbing & pulling). I was able to roll it backwards & forwards quite a bit (many many inches on the ground) before i felt compression resistance.
U-joint concern, or more likely something else? Do not know when/if ujoint/driveshaft was last serviced/repaired/replaced. Engine had full rebuild at 70K, when previous owner lost the oil pan on the hiway. Oops!
Can just the u-joint be repaired/replaced, if the problem is there, or does it require a new drive shaft, ala the oilheads?