replacing pinion cup

[vmb]

Looks like my pinion cup is shot. Drive shaft looks OK. I am going to get The Honda shop to replace it. What else do they need to do while there.? Thanks for the help

[Patrick]

Its  not a difficult job. So its just amateur of making sure the Honda shop does it correctly, like replacing the seal, properly cleaning/lubing everything and knowing how to properly reassemble the rear drive. Some shops may know and others do not.

[Wewaman]

Like Patrick said it's pretty straight forward.    If I can do it so can you  
The only ones who have ever worked on my valk before it was mine was Honda,  and like Patrick said some  shops do but I'm convinced that the shop didn't follow the correct torqing sequence when they put on my last tire and that is why my pinion cup and drive shaft were worn.  The pinion cup had dry red/rust colored powder in it and there are 2 holes in the bottom of the pinion cup that were clogged hence not letting any oil to pass thru to help lube the cup.

Go to WWW.partzilla.com
Search Honda motorcycle then select your year.
 After you get there click on Final Driven Gear. #13 - pinion joint. $30.82
Go back and click on Swingarm  #2- propeller shaft.  #42.17.      #16.-oil seal - $6.35
 Also look for your O'rings and thrust washer and do it all Yourself and you will have the satisfaction of knowing How to do it and you will know it's done right.

Good luck,
Wewa

[0leman]

I just replaced my pinion cup and drive shaft.   Figuring the cost of parts, acquiring a impact wrench/socket (on sale), I was money ahead doing the work myself (and still have the impact wrench).  Even the shop, where I take my tires to be mounted, chargers $70/hr for labor (thankfully a lot less to mount/balance tires) plus the mark up on parts.

If you do your own rear end maintenance, replacing the cup is child's play.   IF you don't have access to tools like an impact wrench, then pull the punkin off and take it in to have someone replace the cup.  It's normally a 5-10 minute job when off the bike.

[Daniel Meyer]

Replace the shaft with the pinion cup. They wear to match. If you put a used shaft in a new pinion cup it will wear out very fast.

Neither part is expensive. They are also easy to change.

[vmb]

Daniel, Thanks for your reply. I wasn't aware of the shaft needing to be replaced with the cup. I thought I needed a special tool to remove the cup but from the replies that doesn't seem to be the case. I'll try it myself. I do not trust a shop to do it even tho I am no mechanic. I tend to just figure things out. Had my bike in a shop two years ago (while on a trip) for rear bearings and told them to lube the final drive while in there. The pinion cup was dry as a powder keg when I got in it yesterday. So I guess I paid for something I didn't get. Its no wonder shops can't be trusted

[vmb]

One more question. If I replace the shaft do I need to replace the u-joint as well?

[Daniel Meyer]

One more question. If I replace the shaft do I need to replace the u-joint as well?

No need to replace the u-joint unless it shows any play.

[wild6]

To hold the pinion cup from turning, I put a large pipe wrench on it and held it on tightly with a c-clamp.  I was then able to break the nut loose with a socket wrench (got no impact tools)

I put on the new one the same way.  Just was careful not to squeeze the cup too hard.

[vmb]

Thanks to all for your help!!

[PhredValk]

I love my local Honda dealer for parts etc, but once I asked their mechanic something about my Valkyrie and he asked 'What make is that?'. I do my own work now...
Fred.