Motor Trike drive shaft

[mgewirtz]

drive shaft issue

Hello, If you can believe this I just picked up a 2012 Goldwing 1800 with Motor Trike kit with 23,000 miles and drove it home. Got within 1 mile and the shaft broke the front u joint. Not to worry I got a hold of my local dealer and Dennis came right over to see what happened. Parts on order and look to be riding soon.

 

[CrystalPistol]

Hello, If you can believe this I just picked up a 2012 Goldwing 1800 with Motor Trike kit with 23,000 miles and drove it home. Got within 1 mile and the shaft broke the front u joint. Not to worry I got a hold of my local dealer and Dennis came right over to see what happened. Parts on order and look to be riding soon.<img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" smilieid="52" class="inlineimg">

If a 237 mile ride the story would be more exciting than if a 1.25 mile ride?

WELCOME!

 

[rhino 2]

Hello, If you can believe this I just picked up a 2012 Goldwing 1800 with Motor Trike kit with 23,000 miles and drove it home. Got within 1 mile and the shaft broke the front u joint. Not to worry I got a hold of my local dealer and Dennis came right over to see what happened. Parts on order and look to be riding soon.

Mike .....Welcome to Trike-Talk.....:clapping:.....Keep us inform on how you made out with the repair....

 

[Freddie]

2003 Honda VTX Motor Trike Driveshaft

Thanks for all the warm welcomes guys.

Never knew such a great resource like this was available !

I was formerly a Goldwing rider and member of Steve Saunders Goldwing Forum. Very helpful and great group of guys.

I had a stroke back in 2017 and lost my balance. I went with the VTX 1300 Motor Trike because I have always been a Honda rider and like the style and reputation of Motor Trike.

Bought my VTX with only 8,000 miles and love it except for the last 1,000 mile since it has developed crazy clattering sounds.

I just contacted Motor Trike and they said a there is not a replacement driveshaft for the VTX available.

Apparently the stock driveshaft uses the factory Honda front u-joint/yoke assembly.

Ok, guess we are getting somewhere...

So what is it with the factory Honda front u-joint/yoke assembly that is causing the problem and what should I look at rebuilding / replacing ?

I can still turn a wrench, just can't balance a 900 pound two wheeler anymore

Thanks,

Freddie

 

[bikerbillone]

My first guess would be U joint which seems to be the weak link in the shaft drive. Lots of torque a that shaft is heavy, places stress on the U joints. Not sure if there's a bit of offset on the MotorTrike, but there's another problem as well.

If I recall correctly when I was looking to buy a trike, the MotorTrike shaft drive had to be removed for proper greasing. Surely some MotorTrike owners will step up here.

 

[Burnerboy]

It is pretty hard to grease the u-joints while you are on the trike.:Joker3:

I have a Roadsmith model.........I have two grease zirks on my u-joints.. ( I shoot a few squirts of grease in it, before I ride for the season/and sometimes before a very long ride) I honestly don't know if I'm helping it or hurting it, BUT I will continue to use this grease till i'm convinced differently..................

Ronnie

 

[Burnerboy]

My first guess would be U joint which seems to be the weak link in the shaft drive. Lots of torque a that shaft is heavy, places stress on the U joints. Not sure if there's a bit of offset on the MotorTrike, but there's another problem as well.

If I recall correctly when I was looking to buy a trike, the MotorTrike shaft drive had to be removed for proper greasing. Surely some MotorTrike owners will step up here.

Hello Bill, just saying hello to you from Massachusetts...........

Ronnie

 

[rvance]

On my 2011 I can grease the U-joint by reaching through the right side access panel.

 

[Volkemon]

Thanks for all the warm welcomes guys.

Never knew such a great resource like this was available !

I was formerly a Goldwing rider and member of Steve Saunders Goldwing Forum. Very helpful and great group of guys.

I had a stroke back in 2017 and lost my balance. I went with the VTX 1300 Motor Trike because I have always been a Honda rider and like the style and reputation of Motor Trike.

Bought my VTX with only 8,000 miles and love it except for the last 1,000 mile since it has developed crazy clattering sounds.

I just contacted Motor Trike and they said a there is not a replacement driveshaft for the VTX available.

Apparently the stock driveshaft uses the factory Honda front u-joint/yoke assembly.

Ok, guess we are getting somewhere...

So what is it with the factory Honda front u-joint/yoke assembly that is causing the problem and what should I look at rebuilding / replacing ?

I can still turn a wrench, just can't balance a 900 pound two wheeler anymore

Thanks,

Freddie

I have a 2006 VTX 1800 Motortrike. Learned a LOT about the driveline when I got it.

There is no 'replacement driveshaft' for the VTX's as far as a 'new and improved' model. They sold me another stock shaft, which is a rear flange, rear u-joint, and the intermediate shaft. Then a stock VTX front u-joint is used.

The slide part of the shaft cannot be 'properly' greased without removal. Not a big deal, (4) 12mm head 12pt bolts. 12pt box wrench works great.

Interested to see what your vibration is. If you are still following this thread, PM me or respond here.