Any cushion on the 10k spline maintenance?

[Valkorado]

I'm nearing the 10,000 mile mark since I last had the splines serviced.  I hope to squeeze in another ride or two before hanging my helmet up for the season.  I'm guesstimating I could put on another couple thousand miles max (12k since last service).  Is this doable?

[Daniel Meyer]

If you're sure it was done right the last time...there's plenty of leeway...

[HayHauler]

If you're sure it was done right the last time...there's plenty of leeway...

+1...  You're good if it was put together correctly last time it was apart.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[F6Dave]

I never even removed the fianl drive and driveshaft until my Valk had nearly 40,000 miles.  They were just fine.  Now the bike has over 167,000 miles and everything is still in great shape.  Haven't even changed the o-rings.

These rear ends are extremely reliable with minimal maintenance.  The serious problems are often self-inflicted, like when the drive splines get misaligned because parts don't get torqued in the proper sequence.

[Valkorado]

Thanks for the replies, I didn't figure they'd seize up at 10,001 miles.  I don't think I'll try to top your interval though, F6Dave!

[whitestroke]

Riding in heavy rain and high pressure washing of final drive may have some bearing on service intervals.

[9Ball]

Riding in heavy rain and high pressure washing of final drive may have some bearing on service intervals.

agreed...also the condition of the O-rings.

[Hoser]

I do it whenever I replace the back tire, usually 15 to 20 thousand miles.  121,000 miles and still good.  Hoser 

[PhredValk]

Once a year in the spring for me. 12-14K miles; and any time the wheel is off (wheel bearing went this July). Splines still look new.
Fred.

[cookiedough]

wouldn't sweat it at all.  Am pretty sure mine was never done in 7 years previous owner to me had it and only 15K miles on bike.  Dealer inspected and looked fine let me see the splines and re-lubed and put back on a few years ago when had new tires put on. 

Sometimes I really feel that the more you tinker with things the more problems appear sooner vs. letting it go awhile longer when you for sure thinks stuff needs replacing.  Don't fix it if ain't broke is my motto, within reason of course.

[F6Dave]

Sometimes I really feel that the more you tinker with things the more problems appear sooner vs. letting it go awhile longer when you for sure thinks stuff needs replacing.  Don't fix it if ain't broke is my motto, within reason of course.

I've come to the same conclusion as cookiedough.  As I mentioned, I never touched the final drive until the Valk had nearly 40,000 miles.  But then I heard the scary stories about how the various splines would self destruct without lots of loving care.  So I pulled it all apart, and lo and behold, everything was in perfect condition.

But the next time I changed the tire I took it all apart again, and discovered that the oil seal by the pinion cup was leaking a bit.  With only 5 ounces of oil in the final drive it wouldn't take much of a leak for the pinion cup to dry out and get chewed up.  I can't be sure if taking it apart hurt the seal, but it is possible.  I am convinced those parts are durable enough that they don't need to be lubed at every tire change, so my paranoia could have cause major damage.  Honda calls for spark plug changes and valve adjustments every 8-12K miles, but as I remember they don't call for any (or very little) driveshaft maintenance.  I have to wonder if much of the damage done to Valk drive trains is self-inflicted.

There's another benefit from leaving the driveshaft alone.  If the drive splines are properly aligned when you remove the wheel, and if you don't touch the final drive, they will still be aligned when you put the wheel back on.  As mentioned I never touched those 4 critical nuts for the first 40K miles, yet here's a pic of my drive splines at over 90K.  With over 160K miles at my last tire change they still look the same.

[Daniel Meyer]

Honda calls for spark plug changes and valve adjustments every 8-12K miles, but as I remember they don't call for any (or very little) driveshaft maintenance.

Initially, the pinion joint was intended to be a maintenance free item. It doesn't work out that way and fails more frequently than they would like...and when it does, it goes something like "zip" and leaves you standing. Just like that.

Honda has issued a service bulletin to modify the lack of maintenance schedule on that item. The mileage number is typical honda wierd though...like 17,500 miles or something like that?

 I have to wonder if much of the damage done to Valk drive trains is self-inflicted.

A lot of it is, but that's related to those 4 nuts and/or taking the wrong shortcuts...and a couple little tricks that are common to working with bearings but aren't in our manuals.

You were lucky. Come to inzane sometime and I'll show you why.

Meanwhile, ride 'em like you stole 'em. They are NOT fragile!

[F6Dave]

Daniel, I think many Gold Wing mechanics figured out the pinion cup weakness long ago, maybe even before Honda did.  Over a decade ago I talked to one at Aurora (CO) Honda who suggested I don't count on the final drive oil to lube the pinion cup, but pack it with grease instead.  That provides plenty of lubrication, and blocks the hole and keeps the gear oil in the final drive regardless of the seal condition.  It's kept the pinion cups in both of my Valks in perfect shape for well over a quarter million miles combined.

I've been to Inzane 4 times, attended nearly all of your sessions, and sat down and talked with you several  times.  I must be pretty forgettable!

[Daniel Meyer]

I've been to Inzane 4 times, attended nearly all of your sessions, and sat down and talked with you several  times.  I must be pretty forgettable!

Forgettable! Snort! It's just there's no picture of your bike in your post!