? About dry splines.

[Magellon]

First of all id like to say this is a great forum. Everyone has put a lot of time and effort into it and have enjoyed reading it over the last few months. I really enjoy looking at the 2011 Valk calendar hanging in my office every day when I'm stuck at my J.O.B.. Thanks to all. Now for the splines.

I have a very low 2500 mile 02 standard. My first test drive I heard the noise thinking it was something with the clutch. After reading here now believe its dry splines.

So my questions are, did Honda lube the splines at assembly or was it installed dry? Am I wasting my time pulling the wheel to check if the factory lube is there or am I just being paranoid?

Ive read the "remove the rear wheel" post on the tech board which will help a lot but if I decide to remove the header nuts instead of wedging the pipes for more clearance will I need to replace the header gaskets? I dont want an exhaust leak. Also with the low miles should I replace the o-rings, thrust washer & dust seal or reuse them.

Thanks for the response in advance

Paul

[MP]

I do not remove the exhaust, or "wedge" it, or anything else.

MP

[Valker]

I do not remove the exhaust, or "wedge" it, or anything else.

MP

Me neither. Easy to do.

[Willow]

Some observations.

If you've purchased a Valkyrie and you haven't yet had the rear wheel off it will not be a waste of time to do so.

Honda certainly should have lubed the splines some nine years ago.

Replace the O-rings.  They're cheap.  Thrust washer and dust seal can probably  be reused this time.

Splines get dry a long time before they start making noise.  There are other items in the rear end that will make noise.

You shouldn't have to pull the pipes to drop the rear wheel, but if you do you likely won't need to replace the exhaust gaskets.  Some will tell you to do it every time.  I don't.  Same pipes; same gaskets.  If the gaskets stay in place they should match up fine.

I'm wondering what caused you to think the noise was in the clutch.  

[Magellon]

Willow, wasn't really sure what the noise was at the time but when the clutch lever was let out and the bike in neutral a "growling" type noise is heard. After reading some posts and tech items the description seems like the dry spline noise. Is it possible the noise I hear is from the transmission when in neutral? Read some stuff about the straight cut gears? Is it from that?

 

[Valker]

Willow, wasn't really sure what the noise was at the time but when the clutch lever was let out and the bike in neutral a "growling" type noise is heard. After reading some posts and tech items the description seems like the dry spline noise. Is it possible the noise I hear is from the transmission when in neutral? Read some stuff about the straight cut gears? Is it from that?

 

Read here: http://www.rattlebars.com/valkfaq/#NOISE

[Daniel Meyer]

Willow, wasn't really sure what the noise was at the time but when the clutch lever was let out and the bike in neutral a "growling" type noise is heard. After reading some posts and tech items the description seems like the dry spline noise. Is it possible the noise I hear is from the transmission when in neutral? Read some stuff about the straight cut gears? Is it from that?

 

Normal noise. Not the splines.

[bigdog99]

if the bike is not rolling its not the splines.

[Magellon]

Ok Not rolling = not the splines. That makes sense. Thanks Valker for the link, sounds like the noise I hear is the constant mesh transmission. That would make more sense. So the Fat Lady is just "Singing" to me? I'll take it as a beautiful song.
Thanks to all.

[John U.]

You should still pull the rea rwheel and relube the splines. It's critical that they stay lubed or it's money spending time.
It's also way past time to replace the clutch and brake fluid. If it's the color of honey, which it probably is, time for a change.
Replace the rear end lube as well. There isn't much in there and it needs to be changed frequently.
Last but not least get some silicate free antifreeze and flush the cooling system.
Then......get your motor running and ride.  

[art]

Pull the wheel an relube the splines.You do not need to remove the exhaust.disconnect the lower shock bolts drop the swing arm remove rear caliper an roll the wheel out from under the fender.If you can lift the bike high enough you do not need to remove the rear half of the fender.The less you take off the less you have to put back on.Make it easy for yourself.