K11 Owners Group

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 9:03 am Post subject: Drive shaft failure poll

From what I've seen most, if not all, drive shaft catastrophes are caused by the rear U-joint "exploding."

Curious if anyone has had either the front U-joint explode or other drive shaft issues.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
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SugarHillCTD · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 10:12 am Post subject:

I have to add to my answer-

While it is my rear U joint that failed, several years ago I made the mistake of replacing just the front joint since the rear joint felt smooth and tight to me.

So my rear failure is my fault.......

Conclusion? If one joint needs to be replaced, REPLACE BOTH.
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 11:47 am Post subject:

The reason I started this thread was in regards to what spares to carry when out touring far from home.

I always carry spare clutch and throttle cables.

Thought it might be a good idea to also carry a backup for the drive shaft. Carrying a whole drive shaft is bulky and heavy but figured that if the rear U-joint is usually what fails then it might make sense just to carry the rear half which weighs a lot less than the whole assembly and doesn't take up much room. (and also a 12mm Allen wrench for the inner rear pivot)
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 4:13 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I always carry spare clutch and throttle cables also but (until recently Embarassed

)
never thought of driveline parts.
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

BobZ(IL) · Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 10:11 pm Post subject:

I've had the drive shaft go far from home, but I'm still not keen on loading up with spare parts. I've had so many trouble free miles.
_________________
'93 K1100LT
'78 R100S
'05 R1200GS
BMWMOA, CRBMWOA, ABC, K11OG #997

Live well, do good work, enjoy the ride.

N41EF · Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 10:15 pm Post subject:

Maybe the answer is to have a spare drive shaft at home, that can be sent overnight to you? Don't know I'd want to haul one on the bike, but it would fit in a large overnight UPS box with the tools.
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2014 R1200RT Water Cooled
2001 R1100S Light
1993 K1100LT. Nissan Ice Blue.(Gone)

Alan Walker · Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2017 7:28 pm Post subject: Driveshaft Failure

I have never had a u-joint failure but have had failure of the rubber insert within the driveshaft. It would slip worse after bike had warmed up and progressively get worse the longer rode.
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95 K1100LT Current ride
05 Suzuki DL650 sold
86 Honda Nighthawk 450 sold
76 Honda CB400F sold

Flying Duck · Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 9:13 am Post subject: Re: Driveshaft Failure

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 12:18 pm Post subject:

One thing is for sure, once that rubber starts slipping you loose your phasing of the drive shaft joints and I would think you start to get some nasty vibrations.
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Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
1997 R1100RT ZC62149
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)

jay k. · Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 7:28 pm Post subject:

What should the angle between the FD and the drive shaft be? Is there a spec for that?
I bought an adjustable paralever strut from Realm Engineering because I'm running a rear wheel from a K1200 (17"x5.5" wide) and want to raise the ride height back to stock.
Thx - Jay
_________________
'20 R1250RS - The RS
'96 K1100RS/SE - The Bagger
'05 R1100S Boxer Cup Replica - The Boxer
'14 Ducati Monster 1200S - The Duc
'84 Kawasaki GPz 1100 - The Gypsy

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 7:38 pm Post subject:

jay k. · Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 8:45 pm Post subject:

Thanks.
That's phasing.
But what about the angle between the shaft and the bevel gear?
Should it be as straight a line as possible?
_________________
'20 R1250RS - The RS
'96 K1100RS/SE - The Bagger
'05 R1100S Boxer Cup Replica - The Boxer
'14 Ducati Monster 1200S - The Duc
'84 Kawasaki GPz 1100 - The Gypsy

Jim · Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 11:10 pm Post subject:

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 11:39 pm Post subject:

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 7:49 am Post subject:

Jim · Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 10:44 am Post subject:

Thanks, John - that's what I meant.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repairing
1992 K75RTP 46,000
1992 R100R 24,000 - FOR SALE

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."