Play/lash in drive line

[al v]

I couldn't find an answer with any searches. My question is... When the bike is on the lift, rear tire in the air, bike in gear, how much, if any, should you be able to rotate the rear wheel front to back? Assuming everything is in good shape, should there be any play?

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

The wheel dampers make a amazing improvement on the " slop " . Buy them for the Interstate they are better made and here anyway cost less.

[Jess from VA]

Some, but too much can be the Ujoint........... thou it could still last a long time, depending.

The better test is to ride straight and slow under load and blip (not bang) the throttle then close in 1st/2d.

In addition to slop, you are listening for any driveline noise.  A regular clunk is not a good noise.

[BonS]

I have a very low mileage Interstate and a 45K mile standard. The Interstate has OEM wheel dampers and the standard has polyurethane aftermarket dampers. I've measured the rear wheel free play on both bikes. The short answer is that they are both the same. The longer answer is:

Free Play averages from both of my bikes.

1st gear: 0.8-1.25" -spread between both bikes
2nd gear: 1.1" - both the same
3rd gear: 2.7" - both the same
4th gear: 2.6" - both the same
5th gear: 2.8" - both the same

[Rio Wil]

Seems that I remember that with the trans in first gear, that the rear wheel would rotate about 1 inch in travel,  This would include all the backlash in the transmission, any u joint slack, any wear ring and pinion lash, any damper looseness and any final drive (spline) lash.

[al v]

Thanks for the info. Good to know that a small amount of play is normal.