reason not to lube final drive flange pins, and lube splines at 16k miles

[98valk]

http://archives.wingworldmag.com/january2003/magazine/department/thinkingcritically.html
The valkyrie manual does not show the pins being lubed.
Below is from the Honda Motorcycle Technician Newsletter otherwise known as “The Wrench.”

"For GL1500s with the 5-pin flange (1990 and later), the letter indicates that the pins do not require lubrication. The second article, a follow-up that appears in the February “Wrench,” states that application of Moly grease to the 5-pin flange may actually accelerate wear, because the steel pins are mated with aluminum collars (as opposed to the steel collars used with the 6-pin flange). Got that? No grease on the pins of GL1500 5-pin flanges.
Late model GL1500 manuals delete text references to lubing the pins, yet the drawing accompanying the text continues to indicate that lube is required. Why the confusion? My guess is that the drawing, taken from the 1990 service manual, was mistakenly retained unaltered through the 2000 edition."

"there’s also some extremely important information in two sentences within the lube interval recommendations for the splines that mechanics might not know if they didn’t have access to, or had not read carefully, the newsletter updates. These sentences apply to all GL1500 service manuals after 1997. “Also lubricate the pinion and drive shaft splines at this [16,000 mile] service. Heavily loaded GLs may require more frequent lubrication.”
vMight there be a connection between some mechanics being unaware of this lubrication update and some of the letters to Wing World’s “Workbench” from Wingers who have had their drive shaft splines fail? Though the service manual instructs us to lube the final driven flange at each wheel removal, there hasn’t been any other reference to lubing the driveshaft splines in any GL1500 service manual except during R&R of the final drive gear case."

[sandy]

If those pins are greased, dust is held in the grease. It then acts as a grinding compound and ruins the pins and sockets.

[WintrSol]

If those pins are greased, dust is held in the grease. It then acts as a grinding compound and ruins the pins and sockets.

Also, molybdenum disulfide contributes to corrosion: http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/291052.pdf

[Skinhead]

If those pins are greased, dust is held in the grease. It then acts as a grinding compound and ruins the pins and sockets.

That could be said for any greased components that move relative to each other.

[Dusty]

 I think I will keep greasing my drive pins with extreme pressure grease. I can't wrap my head around the explanation that 2 metal parts will last longer without lubrication.  When I change tires  I clean the  old grease out and new grease gets put on the pins.  I do the same for my splines, wash old grease out and recoat with new grease.

I used molybdenum disulfide grease one time and the splines and driveshaft pinion cup were all rusty when I changed tires. Switched over to a marine extreme pressure grease and the grease turns black but no rust.  My $ .02



Dusty

[98valk]

I think I will keep greasing my drive pins with extreme pressure grease. I can't wrap my head around the explanation that 2 metal parts will last longer without lubrication.  When I change tires  I clean the  old grease out and new grease gets put on the pins.  I do the same for my splines, wash old grease out and recoat with new grease.

I used molybdenum disulfide grease one time and the splines and driveshaft pinion cup were all rusty when I changed tires. Switched over to a marine extreme pressure grease and the grease turns black but no rust.  My $ .02



Dusty

wouldn't turning black indicate extreme metal wear? that has been my experience.

not using grease on pins will cause a slight metal fusing due to dissimilar metals kinda like a slight corrosion thereby reducing movement and allowing the dampers to do more of their job.  that's my thoughts on it.

[Grandpot]

The "Rust" that many of us see on the drive shaft splines is caused by Fretting.  Here is an article on Fretting that will explain what is going on. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fretting  I'm not posting this to say anyone is right or wrong.  It's just informational.

[Dusty]

I think I will keep greasing my drive pins with extreme pressure grease. I can't wrap my head around the explanation that 2 metal parts will last longer without lubrication.  When I change tires  I clean the  old grease out and new grease gets put on the pins.  I do the same for my splines, wash old grease out and recoat with new grease.

I used molybdenum disulfide grease one time and the splines and driveshaft pinion cup were all rusty when I changed tires. Switched over to a marine extreme pressure grease and the grease turns black but no rust.  My $ .02



Dusty

wouldn't turning black indicate extreme metal wear? that has been my experience.

not using grease on pins will cause a slight metal fusing due to dissimilar metals kinda like a slight corrosion thereby reducing movement and allowing the dampers to do more of their job.  that's my thoughts on it.

I agree that contaminated grease is not a good lubricant.

The grease starts out as red and changes  to a darker red (almost black) as it  gets contaminated. I use it for lip seals on the wheels , drive splines and driveshaft pinion cup.  The drive pins  grease gets black  and I attribute that to the rubber dust from the dampeners. I do inspect the pins for wear and I see wear marks where the pins touch the dampeners but nothing significant. They don't feel out of round but I will Mic them next time I change a tire. I'm not saying Honda is wrong in running them as a dry assembly but  my head tells me " clean " lubrication  is better .

Dusty

[Paladin528]

on both my VT1100 and the I/S I lube the pins.  never been an issue.  prevents the galling you see on a dry mated surface.

As for the grease turning black this is a by product of Aluminium corrosion.  This is why your fork fluid turns black as well.  it is normal when aluminum is used in these applications.