Universal Joint

[Bronxboy]

Well I finally secured a great final drive and pumpkin & also the universal joint and flange as well as the drive shaft. The bike was triked out at 20,000 miles and everything is as New.

Mine have almost 80,000 and very worn. I never had the Universal joint off when doing the rear service, so is there any tricks I should know about before I swap out the final drive? I am sure I will need a new boot as mine is a little torn already.

[Hook#3287]

As I sure you're aware, getting the boot off is not the problem.  Getting it back on can be a PITA.

I did it myself, for the first time, in over 17 years of owning Valkyries, just recently.

Just as I was going to give up and remove the swingarm, it slipped on.

A new boot is a definite.  Some long nose needle nose plyers help. A little grease or petroleum jelly on the inside lip of either the boot back or the swingarm groove helps.

Get the  the lip in the bottom of groove in place and while holding it, pull the tabs out and over the swingarm groove. 

Once you get the back on, the front is cake.

Good Luck and have patience, you'll need it.

[Bronxboy]

As I sure you're aware, getting the boot off is not the problem.  Getting it back on can be a PITA.

I did it myself, for the first time, in over 17 years of owning Valkyries, just recently.

Just as I was going to give up and remove the swingarm, it slipped on.

A new boot is a definite.  Some long nose needle nose plyers help. A little grease or petroleum jelly on the inside lip of either the boot back or the swingarm groove helps.

Get the  the lip in the bottom of groove in place and while holding it, pull the tabs out and over the swingarm groove. 

Once you get the back on, the front is cake.

Good Luck and have patience, you'll need it.

Yeah I heard the boot is a pain. Is there any issues taking the Universal off and putting the new one back in?

[Skinhead]

As I sure you're aware, getting the boot off is not the problem.  Getting it back on can be a PITA.

I did it myself, for the first time, in over 17 years of owning Valkyries, just recently.

Just as I was going to give up and remove the swingarm, it slipped on.

A new boot is a definite.  Some long nose needle nose plyers help. A little grease or petroleum jelly on the inside lip of either the boot back or the swingarm groove helps.

Get the  the lip in the bottom of groove in place and while holding it, pull the tabs out and over the swingarm groove. 

Once you get the back on, the front is cake.

Good Luck and have patience, you'll need it.

Yeah I heard the boot is a pain. Is there any issues taking the Universal off and putting the new one back in?

It helps to remove the mounting bolt for the Rear MC and swinging it out of the way to provide you so extra room.

[Hook#3287]

Not really, it's a little tight, but with the correct turning and pulling, it comes out.

I did it again on a different Valk, but this time I took the swingarm out cause I wanted to paint it.

In the future, I might just pull the swingarm every time.  It wasn't that much extra work and I got to inspect the bearings and repack the grease.

Just need a 17mm allen head socket.

When you put the u=joint back, use the drive shaft to install the u-joint into the engine spline.

[Hook#3287]

It helps to remove the mounting bolt for the Rear MC and swinging it out of the way to provide you so extra room.

Good tip, I removed the footpeg bracket bolts also and bungee cord it up so the hoses are out of the way.

[Bronxboy]

Thanks all good advise. I actually ordered a new universal boot, and went ahead an ordered the swing arm bushings and dust covers just in case I go the route of swing arm removal 

I have had this bike ripped down quite a few times, seems like each time I am going deeper 
I do like the idea of checking everything out myself, and not hoping that everything is good.

Pretty much everything is gone over or New, the final drive was my weak link...but not no more, thanks to a member here on the VRCC 

[Hook#3287]

Thanks all good advise. I actually ordered a new universal boot, and went ahead an ordered the swing arm bushings and dust covers just in case I go the route of swing arm removal 

I have had this bike ripped down quite a few times, seems like each time I am going deeper 
I do like the idea of checking everything out myself, and not hoping that everything is good.

Pretty much everything is gone over or New, the final drive was my weak link...but not no more, thanks to a member here on the VRCC 

Why wouldn't you, she's a beautiful bike   Plus it's a really good piece of mind feeling.

What brand fairing is that?  Is it frame mounted or handlebar mounted?

[Bighead]

That would be a HD fairing and frame mounted. I know because I inquired

[Hook#3287]

That would be a HD fairing and frame mounted. I know because I inquired

Thanks Bighead

[John Schmidt]

Here's a link on how to R&R the u-joint without removing the swingarm.

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

[Bronxboy]

Here's a link on how to R&R the u-joint without removing the swingarm.

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

Thanks John, How are U and Rita doing? Been out of town for the Holidays, and brought home the Flu. Today makes 2 weeks straight with this Flu and it is kicking my arse good.

[John Schmidt]

Here's a link on how to R&R the u-joint without removing the swingarm.

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

Thanks John, How are U and Rita doing? Been out of town for the Holidays, and brought home the Flu. Today makes 2 weeks straight with this Flu and it is kicking my arse good.

I'm doing great after the hip replacement, groin muscles are a little testy yet but improving. Left leg is noticeably weaker than the right, back in the gym is taking care of that. Rita is improving slowly, very weak, right arm still pretty sore to the touch. Friday she walked down the hall at the nursing home, went over 100' each way without a cane or walker. Couldn't do that two weeks ago. Soon as the right arm is usable she'll be coming home....can't wait.

[Bronxboy]

Here's a link on how to R&R the u-joint without removing the swingarm.

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

Thanks John, How are U and Rita doing? Been out of town for the Holidays, and brought home the Flu. Today makes 2 weeks straight with this Flu and it is kicking my arse good.

I'm doing great after the hip replacement, groin muscles are a little testy yet but improving. Left leg is noticeably weaker than the right, back in the gym is taking care of that. Rita is improving slowly, very weak, right arm still pretty sore to the touch. Friday she walked down the hall at the nursing home, went over 100' each way without a cane or walker. Couldn't do that two weeks ago. Soon as the right arm is usable she'll be coming home....can't wait.

That's Great news. Sounds like Grumpy is doing better, Mike got his New Heart....just pulling for Rick to have a full recovery, and all will be good in our Vrcc family !!

[John Schmidt]

Here's a link on how to R&R the u-joint without removing the swingarm.

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

Thanks John, How are U and Rita doing? Been out of town for the Holidays, and brought home the Flu. Today makes 2 weeks straight with this Flu and it is kicking my arse good.

I'm doing great after the hip replacement, groin muscles are a little testy yet but improving. Left leg is noticeably weaker than the right, back in the gym is taking care of that. Rita is improving slowly, very weak, right arm still pretty sore to the touch. Friday she walked down the hall at the nursing home, went over 100' each way without a cane or walker. Couldn't do that two weeks ago. Soon as the right arm is usable she'll be coming home....can't wait.

That's Great news. Sounds like Grumpy is doing better, Mike got his New Heart....just pulling for Rick to have a full recovery, and all will be good in our Vrcc family !!

Me too. I hear the tire companies are also pulling for him, understand his burnouts have been cut way back.    I haven't seen him in a while, been wondering what he's up to. He used to stop by the house on his way to/from distant places north.

[Bronxboy]

Yeah it has been a long time since we shared some wind together, but we would speak a lot thru FB. As soon as he is able to have visitors, I may take a ride down to visit.