Spline Lubrication / Other Issues during Tire Change

[Stonecutter in SF]

Hi all,

Another quick question - I'm getting my tires changed by a local mechanic I trust, but was wondering if there were any special instructions/issues I should mention to him when he gets the wheels off.  I remember hearing about the Splines needing lubrication - is this something I should indicate?  would he know how to do it?  Any other maintenance items i should ask of him when he's in there?  (also, whats better, dyna beads or ride-on?)

As an aside, I've had the bike garaged now for about a week due to the flat.  I've run it at idle twice every third day for about 5-7 minutes.  It's got about a 1/2 tank and the gas is untreated.  anything to be concerned about?

Thanks!

[9Ball]

yes, quit running the bike in the garage.  Add stabilizer or Seafoam to the fuel tank and make sure it gets to the carbs...you're doing more harm than good by starting the bike without riding it...

Print out a copy of the Honda service manual with all the lube and torque requirements and take it with you to the mechanic.  If it is not lubed properly, if the 3 o-rings are not in good shape or replaced, and the thrust waher in place then you will not be happy when the final drive chews itself up before the next tire change.  There are specific requirements for re-installing the wheel to include the final sequence of tightening the final drive bolts that are very critical to this bike.

There are bike mechanics and then there are Valkyrie mechanics...they aren't always the same person.

Good luck...

[F6Dave]

I wouldn't hurt to mention it.  But if he's worked on 1500 Wings or other Hondas with similar rear end designs he should know about it.

[Stonecutter in SF]

Print out a copy of the Honda service manual with all the lube and torque requirements and take it with you to the mechanic.  If it is not lubed properly, if the 3 o-rings are not in good shape or replaced, and the thrust waher in place then you will not be happy when the final drive chews itself up before the next tire change.  There are specific requirements for re-installing the wheel to include the final sequence of tightening the final drive bolts that are very critical to this bike.

I have both the Clymer manual and a printed .pdf. of the owners manual.  Where can I look for the specifics?  don't want to take any chances.

[whitestroke]

This website is full of specifics. Read up for a few hours and you will know exactly what to and not to do. Search should get you lot of specifics.  Here's a start.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,43210.msg412850.html#msg412850

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,53010.msg508478.html#msg508478

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,53895.msg517945.html#msg517945

[9Ball]

Print out a copy of the Honda service manual with all the lube and torque requirements and take it with you to the mechanic.  If it is not lubed properly, if the 3 o-rings are not in good shape or replaced, and the thrust waher in place then you will not be happy when the final drive chews itself up before the next tire change.  There are specific requirements for re-installing the wheel to include the final sequence of tightening the final drive bolts that are very critical to this bike.

I have both the Clymer manual and a printed .pdf. of the owners manual.  Where can I look for the specifics?  don't want to take any chances.

The Honda service manual shows the thrust washer and moly paste requirements (including quantity) starting on page 14-7.  You don't have to worry about re-installing the rotor as you shouldn't have to remove it for just a tire change.  Page 14-8, Installation shows the additional moly paste lube requirements for the splines and the final drive and re-installation of the wheel with the torque sequence...

[Stonecutter in SF]

I appreciate all the responses here.  I'm going to talk to my mechanic about his experience with large Honda cruisers (Goldwings, VTX etc.)  In case I don't feel confident he can do the job, does anyone have any info for trustworthy shops in Northern CA that service Goldwings/Valks?  I searched the forum and the only responses seem to be for SoCal / LA area.