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Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

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Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



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  #1  
Old 7 Jun 2004
pif pif is offline
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driveshaft
I've got a 93 GSPD with 28000 miles on it. I'll probably put 7 to 8ooo miles on my next trip. I was thinking working on the shaft drive before taking off.
I've heard about zerk fitting. Any advice on that one or should I put a new drive shaft?
Thanks.
Pif.
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  #2  
Old 7 Jun 2004
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If the shaft has 28,000 on it putting a grease fitting in will do little good, in fact it's argued that it does no good ever.

Personally I think a grease fitting on a rebuilt shaft is a good idea, but on the factory original, run it until it makes noise. (The effort of pulling it and installing a grease fitting in order to forestall a failure probably isn't worth it.)

BUT if you're going on a trip, you don't want to go through that on the road.

NOTE - you might easily get another 50,000 miles out of it. They do give some warning, a roughness or vibration. If you check the feel of the shaft with the bike on the centerstand by turning the wheel every evening, (it should be dead smooth, no lumps or bumps) and pay attention to roughness or vibration changes when riding, you should have plenty of warning, up to several thousand miles if you drive very gently.

If you're riding around the US, and not super pressed for time, with only 28,000 I'd just go.

They tend to fail somewhere in the 40-80,000 mile range. As always, ymmv...

have a great trip!

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  #3  
Old 24 Jun 2004
nb nb is offline
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Hi,

I`m in the same dilemma, but with almost 50k miles. And as GRant says every night (almost ;-)) check to detect a possible little change in the sound and the smooth.

I don`t know if in the US exist the U-joints with lubrication nipples.
If you find somebody in the US please let me know, may be I can get a complete driveshaft or the U-Joints.

good luck.
nicolas.
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  #4  
Old 25 Jun 2004
pif pif is offline
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Hi,
Eurotechmotorsport (I believe they are in california) sells these zerk fitting to put on the shaft. I don't know if they sell the shaft with the fitting installed.
In my case with 28000 miles on it, I'll keep going with a carefull check regularly.....
ciao. pif
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  #5  
Old 6 Jul 2004
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My driveshaft died at 25k. The rear universal seized in one plane. Luck was not on my side, but it gave me some warning [noise]. It can happen early on in life. Check it carefully.

Bruce
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  #6  
Old 16 Jul 2004
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Another data point:

Mine failed at 34,000 miles smack dab in the middle of Patagonia. It gave me warning, but I was so far from anyplace it broke before I got to a city. Went by truck to Bs As where a new one is so horrendously expensive that I had one shipped fro home.

Pete
'92 R-100 GS
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  #7  
Old 16 Jul 2004
nb nb is offline
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The statics that can get says about the driveshaft lifetime between 25K and 65K. The mine with 50K (not any extrange noise)is make think...
One of this winter weekends I'm going to lub the splines and check... The previous owner has a theory about the longevity of this driveshaft he says:... that the rear shock is short, after a rebuilt, so short the swinging arm angle and consequence straight normal position. Off road riding is not so confortable, less rear travel. I'm planning to put a new rear shock.

Javier Kaper talk to me about you Petefromberkeley, he made the work in Buenos Aires on your GS.

Saludos.
nicolas.

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  #8  
Old 16 Jul 2004
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Hi all
No Nicolas, I didn’t do the work on Pete bike, you don’t understood me.
He sent the package to my shop but he found first another BM official mechanic
Sorry guy we chat in our native language but anyway we can’t understand
Hi Pete
how is your trip?
A big hug
Javier……….
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  #9  
Old 16 Jul 2004
nb nb is offline
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Oops, sorry you guys.

There wasn't alcohol in this chat, only cold "mate".

Saludos.

Nicolas.
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