Rear end problems

I own a `99 Valkyrie that I bought a little over a year ago with 2,000 miles on it. About a month ago while on a putt I started to develope slack when I shifted as if a u-joint was going out, then a few miles later whatever was going out, went. The motor runs fine and the tranny feels solid, it's as if something let loose in the rear end. I got it home, called my local Honda shop, told them what the problem was, then set up an appointment to drop it off.

Bottom line, after having the bike a week and a half without touching it they said they can't afford to tie up one of their bike lifts for the required amount of time it would take to fix it.
I called another place that specializes in Goldwings & Valkyries, he told me he knew exactly what was wrong and that it was a problem related to the `99's, he'd done two this year alone.

I guess my question is how many of you out there have experienced this type of rear end failure, and, if for any reason your bike breaks down does your local dealer make you feel like you should put a sheet over it and call the coronor even though it only has 17k?

What exactly  is it that broke?   There have been a variety of drive line failures reported over  the years.  Don't know of any that are year specific.  The two most common areas of failure are the u-joint and the the drive shaft spline end where it goes into the rear end.  93k+ on my 98 without a problem so far.  But, I had the rear end pulled and the splines checked.  Sure enough, dry and rusty. Had it lubed up and no problems.  This should probably be done every couple of rear tire changes.  Keep us posted on your out come.

Thanks for the response Mr. Wizard
I can't say for certain what the exact problem is, the Honda dealer didn't want to touch it. I'll be picking it up from them and dropping it off at the specialist this week. The specialist does a lot of trike conversion so he already has a rear end/swing arm assembly for my bike.
And "Yes", I will definitely keep everyone posted as how this story unfolds because it gripes me that this should happen with so few miles. I've owned five shaft drive motorcycles over the years, two of which were Vmaxes and I've never had any problems. The last Max had 90+k miles on it when I sold it to a guy I work with and it's still going strong.
Thanks again,
                   Steve
                     aka
                  Big Mac

[Valker]

It's a maintenance issue. If the splines aren't lubed properly-they rust into oblivion......:flamer:

I have a 98 standard and my rear end has more play than any valk I have rode. I have test rode several at rallies and have test rode a couple of other peoples Valk's and mine definetly has some drive line play. I have had the rear end off and the splines are fine and have been properly lubed at each rear tire change. The dealer checked the u-joints and said they are fine. I have just gotten use to it now, however when I ride a different bike and get back on the Valk I feel it.

No arguement here, maintenance is everything, but after rereading through Honda's shop manual I see no such maintenance called for. It says inspect the rear end oil every 8k, change it every 24k and pack the splines when reinstalling the rear end/shaft assembly. I do the rear end oil every 2k when I do the engine oil so if that's the case that's something I need to look into. (*Mac gets out his note pad*)

Just by the sound it makes, if I had a guess, that would be it.
It started out as excessive slack while shifting, progressed into an occasional jerk/klunk noise while in fifth gear (splines slipping?), then shortly after that I lost all forward momentum.
Now when you let the clutch out as soon as any stress is put on the drivetrain you hear a noise coming from that general area.

I'm thinking about making it into a direct-drive speedway racer, any takers?

Thanks for your diagnosis Dr. Valker, I'll keep you posted.
Mac

I know that klunk-klunk feeling your talking about while shifting if you're casual about it, my Yammy XS-11 was like that.

In your case Valkmc if everything's Ok with the shaft I'd tend to think your slack is coming from the way your ring/pinion gear are set up and you have too much backlash.
Just something to think about.........Mac

Mac,

You are probably right, it has been this way since I bought it. I have had several dealers ride it and they all say it is within the normal range. I know it has more slack than every other Valk I have been on, however it is not so bad that I can't enjoy the bike. The next time I have the rear end apart I will have the ring and pinion checked out. That is if I can find someone I trust to take a look at it. My dealer I bought the bike from and the one which is in my own town no longer have my trust and I do not let them work on my bike. Both seem more concerned with checking out your I.D. for your check than checking out problems on your bike.  It seems I get better info here on bike related mechanics than I get from them and it sure cost alot less.

Thanks for the info.

Your problem could be any nuber of things:

1. Stripped splines on either end of the drive shaft.

2. A broken or failing universal.

3. A failing final drive.

4. A failing transmission.

5. Stripped splines on the final drive or final driven flange.

How handy are you?  Do you have tools? Do you have a place that you can work on it w/o kids disturbing your project?

If you give the right answer to the above questions, you can fix it yourself except if it's the tranny.  If it's the transmission, you can still remove it and bring it to a pro for rebuilding - it'll save you a bunch o9f money.

Peter

Thanks for the response Peter,
        Believe it or not, I'm a mechanic. If the bike came with a workstand and wasn't so butt heavy I'd think about giving it a shot, but the guy that'll be working on it has the parts right there at his shop so it's easier for me to just drop the bike off and let him work his magic.  
I'm throwing out #4, the transmission feels real solid, there is a chance thought that it could be the ring & pinion gear, but in all likelyhood just by the sound it makes when you let the clutch out leans me in the direction of the splines/u-joint theory.
I talked to the guy that'll be working on it a little while ago and I'm set to drop it off at his shop this coming Thursday so hopefully I'll have an answer for everyone by early next week.
Maybe I should be taking bets?

What do you think's broken behind door #3?
                                                                          Mac

[Valker]

...the whatsit on the end of the thingy. I think it might be discombobulated, but it might just need a torque and a half of that stuff.
ps-never said I was normal!

The klunking noise that so many Valk riders complain of is, more often than not, nothing more than the torque damper on the final shaft (inside the transmisssion housing) doing its job.  As has been noted, some Valks are noisey than others in this regard.  If you go to "Hondaonlineparts.com" look up final shaft on any of the Valk models, you will see parts 3, 4 and 5 make up the torque damper.  You will also see that it is speing loaded.  That is what causes the klunking sound and why the mechanics say the sound is "normal".  Incidentally, a lot of Gold Wings will make the same sound since it uses the exact same drive assembly.  My tourer has done this for most of its 93k+ miles.  Has not created a problem.  It is annoying sometimes, but not a problem.

Valker what does that snow have in it??
The wind and cool just arrived in Shreveport.

Steve, I can say one thing. When you have your rear tire removed, know the mech or do it your self. People will replace your tire and just bolt your rear-end back together and that will cause a problem.
I think one of our members had a problem on their way home after our July get together.
Flying Scot I think. Dont hold me to that. Is that correct Scot?
What ever, when the rear tire is removed it has to be re-installed correct.
Don't ask me how I know all of this. It causes one to dig deep in one's pocket if it is not done properly.

Splines and dampners and bearings.........oh my!

If I had my rathers Ron, I'd rather do it myself because I've always offered a lifetime warrantee on my work.
"If I am not satisified for any reason what-so-ever I redo the job for as long as I own the bike"
I haven't heard any bike shops making that claim.

Other than to have a rear tire mounted, this is the first time I've had this bike in the shop, but I've only heard good things about the mechanic that'll be doing the work so I'm not too worried, we'll see.

Thanks Ron for the concern and the reply...........Mac