Drive Shaft, Universal Joint Question

[Fazer]

There is a combo drive shaft/universal joint for sale on Ebay for $69 plus $17 shipping.  according to the description it came off a 99 Valk with 99,000 miles.  I have read that both parts are sometimes difficult to get so I am thinking about buying (unless they are already gone) to keep as spares.  My Valk has only 26,000 and when I last had the rear wheel off to service the splines, etc. everything looked good. 

Question is, does it make sense to have a spare drive train, alternator, starter?  Or are they available easy enough to obtain when required.  I know some of you guys travel with an almost complete spare engine and can rebuild the entire thing on the side of the road with the tool kit that came with the bike, but not me.

[Jess from VA]

I think having (a new) Ujoint is a good idea (but I don't carry it with me).  And yes, I lost one out on the road.  Having a spare used one might be OK, but it's a lot of work if it's not OK.

I also keep spare battery, petcock coverset (I've needed them too, twice), tires, oil and filters.

I don't have a spare alternator or starter (I've never lost one of those).

[Chrisj CMA]

There is a combo drive shaft/universal joint for sale on Ebay for $69 plus $17 shipping.  according to the description it came off a 99 Valk with 99,000 miles.  I have read that both parts are sometimes difficult to get so I am thinking about buying (unless they are already gone) to keep as spares.  My Valk has only 26,000 and when I last had the rear wheel off to service the splines, etc. everything looked good. 

Question is, does it make sense to have a spare drive train, alternator, starter?  Or are they available easy enough to obtain when required.  I know some of you guys travel with an almost complete spare engine and can rebuild the entire thing on the side of the road with the tool kit that came with the bike, but not me.

I wouldn't want a 100,000 mile u-joint as a spare

[old2soon]

99 I/S U-joint toasted at 103000 miles.  RIDE SAFE.

[Fazer]

Thanks for all the good advice.  It's what I needed.

[0leman]

Not a real good mechanic, but the real problem with the drive shaft is the mating with the pinion cup.   Both should be changed out together,  RIGHT

Agree with the u-joint off a bike with that many miles would not be a good investment.  Not at those prices.

[Lyle Laun]

I've got 3 bikes with between 55,000 to 130,000 miles on them. As our bikes are getting older and I don't like working on them at the side of the road, here's what I've been doing.

If I have a problem with one bike, I generally do the same replacement on the other two or it just bothers me when riding the other ones far from home.

I've had an alternator go at 40,000 miles so just bought a spare and replaced the other 2 alternators one at a time and now have 1 rebuilt spare.

I've had a wheel bearings go out at 60,000 miles so replaced all my wheel bearings when the tires were being replaced. Thinking I will do wheel bearings every 50,000 miles going forward.

Last year's u-joint shortage was concerning. I've got 3 new u-joints, driveshafts and pinion cups. I'm cycling through and installing new u-joints when doing a rear tire change. I'm fine to keep the used u-joints as spares. Can't see that I will ever need the 3 new drivesfts or pinions but ok to have as spares.

I've got a good spare pumpkin and a worn pumpkin (in case we ever get down to pressing in wing parts) but assuming I will never need to change mine out.

2 of the 3 bikes have Pingels and I sure like them better for on the road or during tank pulling.

Never heard of a starter problem so don't have a spare or do anything with mine.

Bon S Smart Switch on the standards as I have had to replace the start buttons.

Carry spare clutch & brake lever along with a kickstand bolt & spring.

Maybe a bit anal but I don't consider my bikes to owe me anything and it gives me piece of mind when far from home.

Regards
Lyle