Rear Wheel Help

[XS11UFO]

From your post about running the engine and hearing rocks crushing when you released the clutch, it sounds like your clutch was doing what it was supposed to do. After the rock crusher though, I would check the oil and filter for metal, I'd be surprised if there isn't something broken now.

[TheRev]

Great News!

I i don't think my transmission or clutch is the problem. I removed the exhaust, rear tire and swing arm. Then I rotated the middle gear joint and it rotated fine. No noise or resistance. So I started the bike and shifted into gear. The transmission shifted smoothly and the clutch worked fine. Absolutely no noise like crushing rocks. So I think the problem is in the final drive. What do you all think?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Rev,

Well, it sounds like you've finally isolated the problem, and that it sounds like it's the FINAL DRIVE. Did you ever separate the final drive from the swingarm during your rebuild to clean and regrease the driveshaft/FD junction?? You will probably find worn or broken splines on the driveshaft where it mates to the FD. With the FD separated from the swingarm, you can then rotate the rear wheel drive hub and see/feel the driveshaft hub rotate and vice versa, and if they feel smooth, then it would indicate the worn/broken driveshaft splines....at the FD junction moreso than the Middle Drive Ujoint yoke.

T.C.

[motoman]

Hey Rev,

Well, it sounds like you've finally isolated the problem, and that it sounds like it's the FINAL DRIVE. Did you ever separate the final drive from the swingarm during your rebuild to clean and regrease the driveshaft/FD junction?? You will probably find worn or broken splines on the driveshaft where it mates to the FD. With the FD separated from the swingarm, you can then rotate the rear wheel drive hub and see/feel the driveshaft hub rotate and vice versa, and if they feel smooth, then it would indicate the worn/broken driveshaft splines....at the FD junction moreso than the Middle Drive Ujoint yoke.

T.C.

Had you previously had final drive apart, or just removed? In your earlier thread it was hard to depict which.

[TheRev]

Hey Rev,

Well, it sounds like you've finally isolated the problem, and that it sounds like it's the FINAL DRIVE. Did you ever separate the final drive from the swingarm during your rebuild to clean and regrease the driveshaft/FD junction?? You will probably find worn or broken splines on the driveshaft where it mates to the FD. With the FD separated from the swingarm, you can then rotate the rear wheel drive hub and see/feel the driveshaft hub rotate and vice versa, and if they feel smooth, then it would indicate the worn/broken driveshaft splines....at the FD junction moreso than the Middle Drive Ujoint yoke.

T.C.

I did separate the final drive from the shaft. I also took the final drive apart to clean it. My guess is I didn't put it together correctly. I was considering doing the xs750 final drive mod earlier in the build but didn't want to add that expense.. I guess i can do that now. I haven't yet looked at the shaft. I would not be surprised if it is trashed.

[TheRev]

Had you previously had final drive apart, or just removed? In your earlier thread it was hard to depict which.

I had removed the FD must not have put it together correctly. I purchased a xs750 drive so I could do the Final Drive Mod.

[BA80]

You need to pay close attention to the mod procedure on the 750 FD, especially if you have the type 1 unit.

Read the mod procedure carefully and follow the instructions carefully on the torque specs.

[TheRev]

Hey Rev,

Well, it sounds like you've finally isolated the problem, and that it sounds like it's the FINAL DRIVE. Did you ever separate the final drive from the swingarm during your rebuild to clean and regrease the driveshaft/FD junction?? You will probably find worn or broken splines on the driveshaft where it mates to the FD. With the FD separated from the swingarm, you can then rotate the rear wheel drive hub and see/feel the driveshaft hub rotate and vice versa, and if they feel smooth, then it would indicate the worn/broken driveshaft splines....at the FD junction moreso than the Middle Drive Ujoint yoke.

T.C.

I had some time tonight so I cleaned up the final drive to inspect everything. I figured out what I did. I forgot to install the spring that helps the shaft stay in the middle drive yoke. The splines on the shaft and the final drive look fine. I didn't see any metal shavings at all. I rotated the final drive and it felt smooth. Then I looked at the middle drive yoke and saw some signs on the swing arm that indicated the shaft was not engaging the middle drive ujoint yoke properly. Perhaps the shaft pulled out and was bouncing around a bit within the swing arm. Probably because of the missing spring. I added the spring and put it all back together. I haven't started it yet because of the late hour but my hope is it runs smoothly this time. Any advice?

[TheRev]

Ok, I still need help. I bought a new xs1100 final drive, although my origional one looks ok. I put the new final drive on the swing arm and this time put it all together correctly (this time I made sure the spring was installed). When I put the wheel on and shifted into neutral and spun the rear wheel by hand. Once again it had resistance. This time I pulled the rubber boot back and saw that the U Joit was hitting the edge of the swing arm rim. So when I spin the wheel while watching the u joint the bolts on the u joint rubs against the swing arm rim and that is what has been causing the "chunking" sound.

So I pulled the wheel off and the swing arm and looked at the swing arm rim. Sure enough, the swing arm rim had gouges in it from the u joint rubbing. Clearly this is what my problem is. Here's my question, why is the u joint hitting the swing arm? Could it be because I have the bike on the center stand sitting on the lift and the rear tire is suspended? Could it be because I am using different shocks? Would the rub be solved if the rear tire was sitting on the ground and the shock is compressed? Please help. THanks

[bikerphil]

Sounds like the swingarm isn't centered in the frame.....

[TheRev]

That's what I thought but I measured it correctly. What is happening is the swing arm is tilted down because the tire is suspended. The bottom lip of the swing arm is hitting the u joint that is spinning. So I think the shocks I put on are too long. What size shock does the xs1100 have?

Sounds like the swingarm isn't centered in the frame.....

[bikerphil]

What size shock does the xs1100 have?

12 5/8" center to center eyelet.

[TheRev]

Mine is 14 inches. I think that must be my problem. I bet if the bike was sitting on the ground and the shocks were compressed there would not be a problem. What do you think?

12 5/8" center to center eyelet.

[bikerphil]

Mine is 14 inches. I think that must be my problem. I bet if the bike was sitting on the ground and the shocks were compressed there would not be a problem. What do you think?

When you are riding and the shock fully extends, it will hit like it does now. I would find some shorter shocks.

[TheRev]

I was wrong. My shocks are 12.5. So now I am back to square one. Why would the u joint hit the inside edge of the swing arm when the rear tire is suspended above the ground? I am so close to finishing this bike. I just can't figure this damn rear end out. Please help.

Mine is 14 inches. I think that must be my problem. I bet if the bike was sitting on the ground and the shocks were compressed there would not be a problem. What do you think?