Help Please on Final Drive

[Brian]

I bought a new XS11 in 79 and loved it for 27 years. Sold it for an FJR in 2006. Now I am back- Just bought a beautiful 79 Special and love it. Did notice the high RPM's on the freeway so I am doing the 750 FD switch today, which brings me to my tremendous frustration!!! Please help.

I CANNOT get the drive shaft back in the Drive shaft housing. I see the receiver in there hanging down (after I scooped out all the grease). I can get on it barely and rotate it in neutral and feel it lock in gear, but cannot lift and push or pry the shaft to get it to go on!! HELP!!!

Tried 2 hours, took a break and tried another 1.5 hours. Scooped out the grease, see it in there but can't get it. And advice???

[natemoen]

Pull the U-Joint boot back (carefully) and hold it up.

[bikerphil]

Take the wire snap clip off the driveshaft if you haven't already. If you have fat fingers this probably won't work. Take a bungee cord(s) and pull the driveshaft boot back as far as possible so you can get your fingers on the U joint. With the transmission in neutral and while looking in the swingarm tube from the rear with a flashlight, position/turn the U-joint so it is in line to accept the driveshaft. Install the driveshaft, it should slip right in when everything is lined up correctly. Do not force it in by tapping with a hammer, you will damage the splines that way and then you're in deep trouble. This may take several tries and some cussing but it will go in this way. GL

[Brian]

Thanks Nathan and Bike Phil. I did remove the clip. Is the u joint boot and the driveshaft boot the same thing? and is it the receiver that's in there about 10 inches? Sorry- I am at a loss here. Done a lot of work on Yami's and Hondas but not on the drive shaft.

Thanks again! /Brian

[natemoen]

Yea, drive shaft/ u-joint boot, same thing.

[BA80]

You can pull the boot back if you like but you really don't need to. That's a messy proposition and you run the risk of tearing the boot. You can just hold it in place by squeezing the boot and holding the yoke in position and guiding the shaft in. It will slide in easily when the splines are lined up.

Here's a pic of the u joint and yoke.

[Brian]

BA80, Biker Phil and Nathan- I owe you guys- you made this happen! I cannot thank you enough! I am now going to go for a Father's Day ride with the new gears!

THANKS AGAIN!
Brian

[Brian]

The new gearing is awesome!

Here is my new (to me) Special:

http://s813.photobucket.com/user/Bdub600/media/79XS11Special.jpg.html

Hope you can see it. Like the 1 I bought in 79 but better.

BTW, this web site is awesome. Many years ago this site helped me with the pick up coil issue and the front brake "spooge" issue and I gladly donated back then.

Now you helped me with the axle issue- thanks again,
Brian

[BA80]

Use the IMG code Brian.....

[Brian]

Ah, Got it! thanks! testing:

[red bandit]

WOW........Looks VERY NICE.

[Brian]

Thanks RB,

Happy owner- like pretty much everything about the bike

Brian