motortrike driveshaft

[dabalso]

been watching the messages about driveshafts for some time now. I have a 2002 GL1800 with the solid axle Motortrike conversion. got it in 2005 with 707 miles. We have been able to put 20,000 on it and loved every minute. I think I have the old shaft and am beginning to worry about all the driveshaft problems. I don't feel vibration and don't seem to be having a problem, but don't like to wait until we are setting on the side of the road. What are the symtoms I need to look for? I have noted a lot of the problems seem to develop somewhere over 50,000 miles. At the rate we are going (not able to ride as much as we want to) it will be 10 years before we get to that mileage.
Any body got any advice on the shaft... it is a lot of money to us..

Thanks
David B

 

[2006gold]

I would pull the driveshaft, or have it done, and take a good look checking for wear in the bearings, etc. Mine had a driveshaft that could not be greased which ended up dropping out and could have stranded us in nowheresville very easily. We got lucky (?) and it dropped out fairly close to home with less than 20k miles. The local Motor Trike guy did not want to do the repair and we ended up having to trailer the trike to Troup from Fort Worth - not a huge drive, but enough to make it annoying. Best part was Motor Trike took care of everything at no cost to us. Every service now includes pulling the shaft and re-greasing - due soon now.

 

[Gold Rush]

been watching the messages about driveshafts for some time now. I have a 2002 GL1800 with the solid axle Motortrike conversion. got it in 2005 with 707 miles. We have been able to put 20,000 on it and loved every minute. I think I have the old shaft and am beginning to worry about all the driveshaft problems. I don't feel vibration and don't seem to be having a problem, but don't like to wait until we are setting on the side of the road. What are the symtoms I need to look for? I have noted a lot of the problems seem to develop somewhere over 50,000 miles. At the rate we are going (not able to ride as much as we want to) it will be 10 years before we get to that mileage.
Any body got any advice on the shaft... it is a lot of money to us..

Thanks
David B

Howdy David. I was told by one of Motor Trikes tech guys that they are replacing the Adventure conversion driveshafts part for free but have to charge for older units. A friend of mine had to replace his. It cost him $143 for the new shaft. Give Motor Trike a call. Maybe you can talk them out of one.... :xszpv: :xszpv:

His GL1800 is also a 2002 model. We were surprised to find the shaft still has to be pulled to grease the front u-joint. 2006 and later models have a different output shaft that positions the front joint zerk fitting right where it can be serviced without removing the shaft.

Based on what you've said, a new driveshaft might be a good idea.

 

[oahe]

Symptoms? The only symptom I had was a big bang! I had 300 miles on the trike at the time. Luckily I was only a mile from home. MotorTrike supplied the drive shaft w/o charge and the local Honda shop installed it for $100.

 

[dabalso]

thanks for all the good info...

I guess I will save the money and get it done.

David B