80 XS11 driveshaft question

[CraigMel13]

Some of you may have seen my recently started build/sawzall log on my 80 XS11. With that said, I am thinking of modifying the swingarm/driveshaft assembly.

Is there any purpose for the tube stretching from the pivot point, to the front of the rear gear assembly aside from safety reasons? I have never been into the rear assembly to date. I did find a online microfiche, and best I can tell that safety is it's only purpose. Looks as though rear gear is a sealed unit post driveshaft to me. I also have seen the gease zerk, not sure what it is for...other than the u-joint possibly.

Common sense tells me two things 1.be safe and keep as is....... but 2. Says, that driveshaft would look bitchen painted day-glo orange or black and white swirllies that hyponotize all living beings as I pass. I could see this being a problem for the u-joints also, but only if you ride gravel roads or u-joint heigth in creeks. Since I plan on not riding in EITHER of thos places, Can I cut it out of the way without negative consequences?

If I can my sawzall would be very happy! He has been growling and drooling all over it for the last 72 hrs. straight! STUPID SAWZALL!
Thanks for any input,
Craig

[crazy steve]

There is no u-joint at the final drive; the drive has an internally splined sleeve that the spined shaft fits into. Kind of like the pre-'48 Ford or early 50's GM enclosed drivelines, and is also the only cover for keeping 'stuff' out of the splines. The only u-joint is behind the middle drive to allow the swingarm to move...

[natemoen]

The tube around the driveshaft IS the structural component of the swingarm on the left side there. The driveshaft cannot act as that structural component.

[fredintoon]

Good Sawzall, have a biscuit.

Hi Craig,
alas, the tube that hides the driveshaft also holds the back wheel on.
BTW, the zerk on the rear drive lets you grease the outside of the drive spline but the grease needs to be inside.
Somebody posted an esoteric theory of how the grease would find it's own way to the inside but I reckon he's talking out of his fundamental orifice.
So you wanna expose your driveshaft, eh?
Mr. Sawzall is your friend here:-
1) Keeping the suspension.
Chop the driveshaft tube out of the swingarm but keep the ends.
Replace the fat tube with two thinner ones that Vee out from the swingarm pivot , go straight and then Vee in again to the final drive flange so one tube goes above the driveshaft and one goes below it. If your fancy runs to a fatter back tire you could wow the tubes out a bit to clear it.
2) Going rigid.
(not that I approve of doing that but WTF, you asked for advice, not commentary)
Chop off everything.
Extend the frame back with 4 tubes.
Join the tubes at the rear of the frame with the ends you salvaged off the swingarm to accept the rear drive.

[motoman]

[QUOTE=fredintoon;356291
Somebody posted an esoteric theory of how the grease would find it's own way to the inside but I reckon he's talking out of his fundamental orifice.
[/QUOTE]

Not a hijack Fred, but jury is still out pertaining to that issue. If your memory is good, I posted last fall to using my Venturere as a 'test' subject since the final had NEVER been off. When I change out the back tire, will pull the final to check the lubrication of the splines as it is a PITA to remove on a Venturer having all the bracketry for the side cases and original upswept exhaust that keep one from removing shock, etc. At this point, just speculating I would think the ajoining splines, even as course a count/spline they are would have somewhat crystalized if no lube were present since the scoot now has 81,000mi. on it since I bought it new. We shall see as I will try to find and resurect that thread to report my findings along with testimonial pics.