Heard a clunk today

[fudgie]

Was slowing to turn and heard a clunk and felt it the right foot peg.  Thought I ran over something but didnt see anything in my rear view. Sometimes I get it when I'm in a high gear and slow way down without pulling in the clutch. Kinda like the tranny is lurching. Could been it, but was a little louder then before. Has done this since day one. Coulda been a fluke and i'm hesitant about pulling the rear wheel and look At the u joint. Leave for Sturgis Tue night. Ran ok the 1/2 mile to work. Might run it hard tomorrow and see if there is any other problem. Then again i am always way to cautious the week before we leave and any noise scares me! Whadda you all think?

98 Tourer, 58k, maintained by me only, rear wheel removed every spring and things checked.

[B]

Pull it ... mine went out on I40 last year ... its not pretty at 80mph ... thought I was gonna lay it down.

[sandy]

If you do nothing else: find a U joint and take it with you. A trike shop will have used ones from old Wing trike jobs. I put one in a friend's Valk with no issues. You don't want to be broken down waiting a week for a new one to show up. It's not hard to change. Remove the rear brake reservoir and it pulls out the side behind the tranny.

[Trynt]

According to Daniel Meyer, who did  tech sessions at Inzane 10,  the transmission on the Valk almost never fails.  He says the component that leaves most Valk riders stranded is the drive shaft.  Specifically the splines on the end of the shaft that enters the rear drive. They wear down enough to slip and jump due to high miles or a lack of lubrication (because the two holes in the pinion cup become plugged and preclude proper lubrication). It might be worth a look.

[fudgie]

I check it every spring and always got a new one in the bag. I'll run it hard tomorrow and see. It may have been my ears. I get extra sensative prior to a trip. If it was the u joint and if it was as loud as I thought it was, I'm sure it wont do the 75-100 miles i'll do tomorrow. 

[fudgie]

According to Daniel Meyer, who did  tech sessions at Inzane 10,  the transmission on the Valk almost never fails.  He says the component that leaves most Valk riders stranded is the drive shaft.  Specifically the splines on the end of the shaft that enters the rear drive. They wear down enough to slip and jump due to high miles or a lack of lubrication (because the two holes in the pinion cup become plugged and preclude proper lubrication). It might be worth a look.

Did that in March, about 2k miles ago. Looked like new. I lube well.

[eric in md]

fudgie and kit .. ride safe and congrats i think ..  just ride the bike its ok if you just did it 2000 mils ago .. becareful and have fun man i wish i was going cant do them all..

[Challenger]

congrats and ride safe on the way out, If you do have any trouble in Il. give a shout on the board and I'll come give you a hand.  Got a few parts in the garage.

[fudgie]

Did about 60 miles today with it. Hiway and in town. Even did some slowing by down shifting. Nothing felt wrong. Were gonna run it. 

[Hotrodwing]

Can you change the u joint without pulling the wheel and driveshaft? I didn't think you could?

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

You have to remove wheel and final drive, sorry.

[deez]

I've had the same issue. It's most noticeable in higher gears and low throttle opening, especially when going down a slight hill, sort of a lurch/clunk . I can even feel it in the footpegs and seat. I tried experimenting with snapping open and closing the throttle and found that it is definately a lash/clearence issue . I just had the rear wheel off to do a tire and the splines looked like new. I didn't completely disassemble the wheel so I can't comment on the drive pins ( bike has 28k) but they did not appear to have any slop. Leaning over the side  while riding the noise really sounds like it is comming from the rear of the trans area. Suggestions?

Deez

[wild6]

I sometimes get a lurch when slowing and dragging the engine at low rpm.
I think it has to do with ignition of unburnt gases causing a cylinder to fire hot sometimes.  This causes a surge like blipping the throttle.  
At least I keep telling myself this every time it happens.

Recently replaced u-joint, shaft, pinion and dampers but this behavior hasn't changed.

[fudgie]

It ran fine for us going to and from. We hit it hard coming out exit 32 every time to smoke some pigs.  No problems to date. 64k on her now. Forgot about this thread.