Rebuilt my final drive..thanks tech board search engine!

[Kep]

Just finished complete rebuild of my final drive and went darkside in the process.Gotta love the past posters on tech board..found pretty much all the info and tips I needed to complete the process. Don't know any other groups board that are as helpul as VRCCs.Spent about $650.00 in parts at Partzilla , replaced everything...seals , bearings , ring and pinion gear . I could have used my old bearings as they were in good shape but I thought ...what the heck  might as well do er all while I'm at it , that way , no worries.Flanges on mine were shot !! Past owner probably NEVER did maintenance  , no grease...just powder !!! Also replaced dampers with Interstate dampers (mines a 97 Standard) Wow ! What a difference everything made...like riding a stolen bike !First ride out I kept looking over my shoulder for the cops..haha.Only regret..I didn't take time for "in process pics".Would have loved to share the experience that way.HVACR is still my life skill , but if anyone needs any of my recent experience on this , I would love to give back.Again ..thanks to all who have posted on this topic of final drive rebuild, helped me immensely.Feel like now I could take on anything...think I'll start with solving time travel , find Big Foot and Jimmy Hoffa then finish up with World peace !!LOL

[Kep]

PS...a huge thanks to Dags website and his Valk manual download !!

[tank_post142]

Time travel would fix the whole rebuild problem, so lets go for that first !

[jimmytee]

Good to hear that, what a coincidence, I'm doing maintenance on the rear of my bike and I'm also in the HVACR trade. Originally from Indy, but now live in E-town, KY. Was in indy today with wife and my folks at the IMS at the convention center.

[Kep]

Not sure how deep into the rear-end you're getting but if you run into any snags , I would be glad to help with any tips with what I did. The info on the tech board really helped a ton..most of it is still fresh in my brain.Dags manual download is definitely the first place to start , manual is very in depth!Hope you had a good time in Indy , I'm about 70 miles north of there.

[jimmytee]

Kep,
Well thanks, not planning on getting into the pumpkin just a good pm. The previous owner claimed thorough maint. , and it seems to be true. Bought the bike in Feb of 2012 with 62k on her and it is now at 69,600 miles. I didn't have anything weird going on,  but wanted to see for myself. I've questioned whether I should replace the bearings for piece of mind. Did you go back with the stock bearings or go the double row?  My Avon Cobra tire on the rear only has about 5k on it and still looks pretty good. I've considered going the "darkside" route when I replace it. What set up/ tire did you go with?
You bought all your parts at partszilla? I have also been concerned whether saving money on aftermarket parts vs OEM was worth it. It looks like I'll be ordering a rear rotor from someone. Not sure which route to go. Mine measures. 0.235" and the clymer book shows that  0.24" is the minimum wear limit. Haven't had any issues with my brakes, can honestly say I am tempted to try one more season with it,  but maybe not. There is a reason that. 24" number exist. I just think,  man that's only. 005" difference.
You work for yourself or a company? When I lived in Indy,  worked for a few companies over the years. Been doing HVACR for 25 years. I did it in the Army at first for 4 years, got out and have been doing commercial ever since 1992. I've worked for JMI mechanical,  Carrier and a couple of others. I work for a small company now based in Bloomington, IN. I am the only guy in KY. I am routinely in Indiana. Hope to meet up with ya some time.

[Kep]

Everything I got through Partzilla was Genuine Honda Parts ! And around 5% less than everyone else.I did OEM rear wheel bearings , Ziex ZE-512 tire (205/55/16) .Did the nut cage mod. and I have 11-1/2 " Progressive HD 440's and slipped the front forks about 3/4"..I'm only 5'8" so I like both feet on the ground.Love the set-up ! I started in HVAC 29 years ago working for my Father-in-law whp was a Bryant dealer. We did both commercial and residential. Left there after 13 years and worked as Head-of-Maintenance for a 21-store Taco Bell/KFC chain..After over 4 years of 70 to 80 hour work weeks and my kids growing up without me , I was going to start my own business at home when our school corp. needed an HVACR guy...took the job (and a big pay cut) went ahead and started my business and before I knew it I had more business than I knew what to do with. Kinda like a dog chasing a car..once he catches it , he doesn't know waht to do with all of it !!Haha.I pretty much stay residential but have a few restaurants I take care of.I sell Payne equipment(as you know..same as Bryant and Carrier).Its just me so I stay pretty busy but still make my own hours(I love to say NO to crawl-space jobs..lol) My son helps me when he is home from school at Ball St. I was at the Fall Ride in September and plan to go this year..hope to see you there.If I get down in southern Indiana before then I'll give you a holler !

[jimmytee]

Hey I'm only 5'8" myself. I must be a heavier load  , cause I have not had an issue with the stock seat height and I have the ultimate king big boy seats. Do you notice any issues with cornering clearance with the 11.5" shocks? I'm looking to replace my shocks, would love to go lower,but don't want to lose cornering clearance.

[Kep]

I'm 5'8" and 158lbs and run an Ulimate Low-boy..I do scrape pegs a bit easier with the 11-1/2 inchers but I do likes the "closer-to-the-ground-with-da-feets" effect !I ride 2 up alot and run the Progressives on the stiffest setting.Have just now gone darkside so I'm anxious to  get some road time in .Slipping the forks made a big difference on handling.

[jimmytee]

Be interested in your experience ride experience. I have been back into regular exercise and  changing eating habits. Am losing weight slowly, but I'll never see 158 lbs. When I was in the Army at age 20, I was 170 with 10 To 12% measured body fat.

[PharmBoy]

Kep, where did you find a Zeix 512 in a 55 size.  I looked everywhere that I could think of last summer for one and finally installed a metzler 200/60/16.  It handles great, but I really wanted the tire that you installed...Jim

[Kep]

Got my tire at 4quicktires.com for like $70.00.....Jimmytee..I was up to 189 a couple years ago and did P90X to get where I am..If you do facebook, friend request me , I have before and after pics of my transformation. P90X WORKS !!! If you can make it through the first week without wanting to quit or kill yourself ..you can make it 90 days !At 52 , diet is the toughest thing for me..exercise is a breeze.