Question about shaft lubrication (no, not that shaft!)

[.]

I'm about to expose my utter lack of knowledge here but after reading a number of posts regarding a pretty prolific lack of knowledge on the part of Honda techs regarding the Valkyrie I've run upon something I want to check out for myself but I'm not sure how.

This is the lubrication of the drive shaft and the spline in front of the pumpkin (I think I said that right). My problem is, for one, I have no idea what the "pumpkin" is. Luckily I do know what a driveshaft is, where it is, but I'm not sure what the proper way to access it, check it, and lubricate it might be. I do know before I bought my Valk from the dealership it was serviced out, but beyond new tires, new oil, new coolant, and new brake fluid in all three reservoirs (one being the clutch which I also know nothing about-not hydraulic ones), I'm not certain about the driveshaft. Any help here would be appreciated.

[tank_post142]

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/

[Jess from VA]

There must be a hundred threads on this subject.

Manual calls for moly paste, but experience shows the paste does not last long enough/hardens up, and HD waterproof grease in good quantity is better (between rear tire changes, when it mostly gets done at 10-15K intervals).  BelRay, Guard Dog, synthetic.  The pumpkin is the rear drive unit connecting the drive shaft to rear wheel.  The splines in that unit are what needs the most lubrication (and changing three O-rings). This is also a good time to change your rear drive fluid with synthetic 75(80)-90 wt.

The first link is to change a U-joint, but is good for observing the parts involved.  Click on each pic, for bigger pic with instructions.

http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/ujoint.html

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/Elusive%203rd%20O-Ring.htm

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/rear_end_service.pptx

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/carldriveoil.htm

[.]

Thanks! This should be enough to get me started. I probably should have done a search first since, as you pointed out, there are quite a few threads on this, but by this time of day after I've been sitting at this computer since 7:30 my brain doesn't compute anymore.   So thanks both of you for pointing me in the right direction. I'll let you know how it turns out once I get the time and the nerve to tear into it.

[Daniel Meyer]

Come to Inzane! I'll show you! 

[wiggydotcom]

Come to Inzane! I'll show you! 

Best answer yet!

[.]

Come to Inzane! I'll show you! 

I wish I could. Hopefully I can make it next year. It's definitely on my bucket list (and maybe on my annual vacation list once I'm able to get there).

[shortleg]

  This what I have used: 2 jack stands under engine guards.
                                  : bike lift to lift bike
                                  : floor jack to help lift and lower tire.
    Just the way I have done it. You may find a better way for you.
               Shortleg[Dave]