More U-Joint Info ....

[Sodbuster]

Came across another Trike company and asked about U-Joints. They didn't have any new ones but have U-Joints made for them that are supposedly the same as OEM dimensionally and have a grease zerk in it.  I asked if he had a picture of one he could fax or e-mail but didn't have one. He wasn't sure how it would work on a two wheel bike with the suspension moving up & down more than a trike if it would hit the grease zerk. Might be worth checking into. Any Texas dudes looking for an excuse for a ride ?? Hint ...Hint   It's about 150 miles south-east of Dallas. They go for $132

Motor Trike, Inc.
P.O. Box 611
22667 FM 15
Troup, TX 75789
(903) 842-3094
(800) 908-7453
http://www.motortrike.com/



Also, found this one. The person I talked to didn't know what they had (I asked for 1500 GW or Valk u-joints) but said there was a bunch on the shelf. Said to call Monday and ask for Doug.

3744 Schueneman Road
White Bear Lake, MN
(651) 777-7774
http://www.trikeshop.com/



And, this one has a bunch of used 1500 GW/Valkyrie U-Joints with less than 20k miles on them  Guess it makes sense being it's up here in the Northland.  But he only wants $20 !!  That would be worth buying a couple at that price .... if nothing more than to tie you over till you found a new one.
Call and ask for Carl

Halfbreed Custom Motorcycles
23994 US Highway 169
Aitkin MN 56431
(218) 678-3838
(888) 509-6604
http://www.halfbreedcustoms.com/

[Sodbuster]

And for those who doubt they will fit ....  When Honda came out with the Valkyrie (1997) they superseded the GoldWing Yoke Joint (u-joint) to use the same u-joint as the Valkyrie. Difference being the Valkyrie part was beefed up in the knuckles .... other wise the same.
 
http://www.westernhonda.com/default.asp

[Madmike]

And for those who doubt they will fit ....  When Honda came out with the Valkyrie (1997) they superseded the GoldWing Yoke Joint (u-joint) to use the same u-joint as the Valkyrie. Difference being the Valkyrie part was beefed up in the knuckles .... other wise the same.
 
http://www.westernhonda.com/default.asp

Just to add a bit Sodbuster, when I bought my 2000 GL 1500 my understanding was that for the last 3 years of production on the 1500 Wing  (1998/99 and 2000) the transmissions were different than the earlier years because they incorporated some of the changes that were needed by the increased HP of the Valk that came out in 97.

[Sodbuster]

Just to add a bit Sodbuster, when I bought my 2000 GL 1500 my understanding was that for the last 3 years of production on the 1500 Wing  (1998/99 and 2000) the transmissions were different than the earlier years because they incorporated some of the changes that were needed by the increased HP of the Valk that came out in 97.

http://www.goldwingfacts.com/goldwinghistory.htm

1997 was the start of shared components ....

[GOOSE]

wouldn't a u-joint out of a 1997 gold wing work in the valk?

[Sodbuster]

wouldn't a u-joint out of a 1997 gold wing work in the valk?

Yup .... and according to the chart shown above, a u-joint out of a 1988 gold wing would work in the valk (don't quote me on that)

Also, If you read in some of the GoldWing forums, GW riders who put in new u-joints found they also had to install a Valkyrie boot (between swingarm & engine) because the Valk u-joint is a little bigger in the knuckles and would rub on the inside of the stock GW boot.

[Sodbuster]

Anybody having any luck with those trike shops ??

[rodeo1]

what the heck are you guys doing to these u-joints to make them go south ? i triked a goldwing a few years back and had to pull an 8.8 inch ford diff. around with the OEM u-joint with o problems at all, including an occasional burnout to show off a little.

trike kit companies do rebuild the driveline with a ford u-joint on the other end, but the valk u-joint is the same one i sent them to make the driveline.

my understanding from my local honda parts dude is that in 1997 honda went to the same driveline as the valk. just to  make the wing a stronger unit. so the u-joints should indeed be the same.

gotta stop trying to make your valk do wheelies. 

[gregc]

Have you looked aftermarket, like in the industrial aftermarket.  These people should have something to fit, if you have the specs on the Honda joint.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#universal-joints/=bi8inyave

[Valk1520]

So then, the older 1500's u-joint should fit, right?  I got a line on one but wondered if it's heavy duty enough.  Any thought's?

[Sodbuster]

my understanding from my local honda parts dude is that in 1997 honda went to the same driveline as the valk. just to  make the wing a stronger unit. so the u-joints should indeed be the same.

just to clarify .... the driveshafts are NOT the same .... the GW's are about an inch longer

So then, the older 1500's u-joint should fit, right?  I got a line on one but wondered if it's heavy duty enough.  Any thought's?

Go to bike bandit and key in part number 644090 (bikebandit p/n) in the search area.... and then click the "Fits machines"   -  Fits 46 machines !!!! '88 Wing all the way to '03 Valkyrie.

If the used u-joint you find is pre-'97 GW (not sure how you could tell) it will most likely be a little smaller in the knuckles but should work until the new ones come out barring any burn-outs.

[Sodbuster]

Here is the site where I found Halfbreed Custom Motorcycles (Motor Trike dealer with used u-joints) ....

http://www.motortrike.com/mt3DealerLocator.aspx

If you select a state and hit the search button you'll get results. I would try the northern states and you should find a used u-joint (Goldwing) with low miles

[GOOSE]

SODBUSTER.....YOUR KILLING YOURSELF WITH ALL THIS BULLHOCKY.....I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT EVERYONE HERE DOES TRULEY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE TO HELP FIND THESE U-JOINTS.  THE FACT THAT THE FIRST PLACE HAD ALREADY SOLD ALL FOUR OF THEM, WAS NOT (I REPEAT NOT) YOUR FAULT. WE ALL THANK-YOU GREATLY FOR GOING TO ALL OF THIS TROUBLE THAT YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH FOR US.

[Sodbuster]

SODBUSTER.....YOUR KILLING YOURSELF WITH ALL THIS BULLHOCKY.....I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT EVERYONE HERE DOES TRULEY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE TO HELP FIND THESE U-JOINTS.  THE FACT THAT THE FIRST PLACE HAD ALREADY SOLD ALL FOUR OF THEM, WAS NOT (I REPEAT NOT) YOUR FAULT. WE ALL THANK-YOU GREATLY FOR GOING TO ALL OF THIS TROUBLE THAT YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH FOR US.

Hey Goose -

Don't let it bother ya .... I actually enjoy doing the search thing on the web and it's really not that hard.  Kinda like a game almost. The thing that really bothers me is knowing that there are riders out there that can't ride because their bike is sitting in the shed, prolly up on a lift, needing a part to put it back together so they can get that sucker back in the wind.  I've been waiting over four long months now to take my scoot for a ride and is looking REAL close to happening with the snow melting as fast as it is. It would KILL ME if I was in the situation that some of you are in waiting/looking for that u-joint so I could get back on the road. If there are a few of you that were able to get that bike back together because of the little time I spent on the web .... well, that would be REALLY cool and gratifying.  

[T.P.]

HEY RON!!  I think your doing a GREAT job finding out the Information for our fellow members.  your right it does make it into sort of a game.  I enjoy that also.  THANKS !!!  T.P.


Come on down to Hotglue & Flamingobabes BBQ in 2 weeks, you will have a GREAT time!   

[GOOSE]

SODBUSTER.....I'M JUST LUCKY, CAUSE I OWN TWO VALK TOURS (A'99 AND A'2000), AND THIS LEAVES ME WITH ONE TO RIDE.  I MISSED THAT LAST U-JOINT YOU FOUND IN MINNESSOTA, BUT THINK I MAY HAVE FOUND A 1997 U-JOINT IN WISCONSIN.  I GUESS WE WILL FIND OUT BY MID WEEK ON THIS ONE.  I'M GOING TO KEEP MY EYES OPEN FOR ANY MORE LIKE YOU ARE.  IT STILL URKS ME TO DEATH THAT HONDA HAS ALLOWED SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN.  I KNOW, I KNOW...THEY ONLY KEEP PARTS FOR X NUMBER OF YEARS, BUT AS LONG AS A COMPANY CAN KEEP SELLING PARTS FOR A PRODUCT, AND CAN MAKE A SUBSTANCIAL PROFIT ON THOSE PARTS, YOU WOULD THINK THAT THEY WOULD KEEP PRODUCTION GOING.  I STILL SAY....HONDA COULD MAKE ANOTHER RUN OF THE REAL VALKYRIES (1520'S), AND WOULD PROBABLY SELL EVERY ONE THEY PRODUCED.  THIS BIKE IS STILL AHEAD OF IT'S TIME.

[Sodbuster]

HEY RON!!  I think your doing a GREAT job finding out the Information for our fellow members.  your right it does make it into sort of a game.  I enjoy that also.  THANKS !!!  T.P.


Come on down to Hotglue & Flamingobabes BBQ in 2 weeks, you will have a GREAT time!   

I just might show up for the BBQ .... got walked out the door today .... 27 yrs of service .... HUGE layoff

[gordonv]

Come on down to Hotglue & Flamingobabes BBQ in 2 weeks, you will have a GREAT time!   

I just might show up for the BBQ .... got walked out the door today .... 27 yrs of service .... HUGE layoff

Ouch, that hurts. I've had that happen at 3 different jobs over the last 7 years. 15 yrs on the first job.

[GOOSE]

SODBUSTER.....SURE SORRY TO HERE ABOUT THIS..

[HayHauler]

Come on down Sodbuster!!!  We'd be glad to have ya!! 

Mr. Glue is da bestest!!

You WOULD enjoy yourself....how can you not with over 100 valkyries in one spot and HotGlue's BBQ!?

Hay 
Jimmyt

[T.P.]

HEY RON!!  I think your doing a GREAT job finding out the Information for our fellow members.  your right it does make it into sort of a game.  I enjoy that also.  THANKS !!!  T.P.


Come on down to Hotglue & Flamingobabes BBQ in 2 weeks, you will have a GREAT time!  

I just might show up for the BBQ .... got walked out the door today .... 27 yrs of service .... HUGE layoff

WHAT THE HELL !  THAT REALLY SUCKS !!   What kind of work do you do or did do?

[Sodbuster]

WHAT THE HELL !  THAT REALLY SUCKS !!   What kind of work do you do or did do?

Experienced Mechanical/Tool Designer for a Disk Drive Manufacturer in Minnesota