Rear wheel won’t spin when bike in neutral or clutch in

[Tazman11]

I am rebuilding my 1999 Tourer. I am in the reassembly process and just mounted the rear wheel after lubing the drive shaft splines with the proper manual recommended lubes. I only had 5 minutes of riding time on the bike before I started tear down. Since the bike only had 13,000 miles I did not do anything to the tranny or engine except for fluids, timing belts, valve adjustment, and gear oil change. The bike is on a lift and after mounting the rear wheel and brake I tried to spin the wheel and it only moves an inch or so before binding. This is when the bike is in neutral and / or when the clutch is pulled in. Since I did remove the drive shaft from the bike and removed the rear wheel for tire replacement I am questioning what I could have done improperly to have caused this problem. Before tearing things apart again, I was hoping to get advice from some of you experts.

I just got my forks back from a Race Tech shop. I am assembling the front of the bike and mounting the exhaust and hope to test ride Tazman in the next few days.

Help and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Tazman11]

As I lay in bed without being able to sleep, I believe I have figured out my problem. I have not installed the rear shocks as I just got them back from the suspension shop. I believe (and will test in the morning) that the swing arm is hanging lower than it normally would and the U joints are binding. I believe that once the shocks are mounted the problem will go away.

Considering that I have been studying the service manual and looking at the parts diagrams for to many hours, this is the only thing that would cause this condition. If it wasn’t midnight, I would go out and confirm. It will have to wait till sunup.

I will report back. Duh. Duh. Duh.

[-mike-]

You most probably have already  damaged the U-joint by letting the rear end hanging down without support. As described above.

Common mistake. You are not the last to do so

-mike-

[Savage]

Definitely don’t allow the driveline to be under load with the swingarm hanging.
I obtained a Valkyrie that had been run this way while on a stand.  Previous owner thought the problem he created was a damaged U-Joint. It was the output shaft bearing. Very unfortunate and costly mistake.

You would be well served to check the output shaft bearing and the U-Joint before going any further.

[Hook#3287]

There's potential you may have done damage and potential you didn't. 

I did the same back in early 2000's, leaving the swingarm hang for sometime during winter maintenance.

I didn't remove the wheel, but I also didn't spin it.

No damage and the bike now has 120K on her.

[Valker]

I once left out the metal tube part that’s in the final drive unit. No turn. I happened to look at my table and thought “what’s that part?”

[da prez]

I use a piece of conduit flatten on both ends. It is used when the shocks are out
 It keeps the shaft in line . It makes the total install easier.

      da prez

[Tazman11]

Yep. Problem solved. Some of my best work comes when I’m sleeping. To bad my prick boss never believed me.