Roadsmith Driveshaft

[Shimpy]

. It seems to me he said they had a way to lock the splines so the driveshaft effectively became one piece.

The installer for my Champion S/A showed me a drive shaft split in 2 or 3 places with pinch bolts that clamped it all together.

 

[Wreckman]

Only the splines need grease on the shaft. I just did 2 conversions. Not sure about the older kits.

 

[bikerbillone]

Been about year, just gave mine a couple shots, I think it's a mistake to ignore it. Since Taylor's been gone, I miss his informed responses. RoadSmith needs to find someone to replace him.

 

[mgwtrike]

I am no means a mechanic so I called my local Honda dealer about the recall. They told me yes, it needed to be looked at. After all said and done, they told me they replaced the 2 cylinders. I feel a difference in braking..and like the change.

Just saying....

I was told by my Roadsmith installer AND by Honda dealership that this Honda brake

recall needs to be done on my trike.

Goes in next Wednesday.

 

[Hocky]

grease shaft/u-joint

In my owners manual it says the driveshaft should be greased annually. Today I talked to the Honda dealership service manager that did my conversion to make sure on the brake recall and After finding out the Roadsmith didn't need the recall I mentioned the next time was in i wanted them to grease the u joints on the driveshaft and he said they never needed to be greased again, do I go with the manual or the service manager.

Just checked my trike, found 2 zerks, 1 in the u-joint & 1 on the shaft. Greased both, needed the needle adapter for the u-joint. 2003 1800/2004 Roadsmith

 

[bikerbillone]

Find this thread interesting, different opinions on whether to grease the drive shaft or not. My 2012 has two zerk grease fittings, that means a 'grease gun' to me, so I grease. Be good if Roadsmith would post here and settle the issue. Since Taylor left, we don't get much input. Maybe business is so good they don't have the time. Customer support is a valuable product.

 

[mhgoldwing]

Find this thread interesting, different opinions on whether to grease the drive shaft or not. My 2012 has two zerk grease fittings, that means a 'grease gun' to me, so I grease. Be good if Roadsmith would post here and settle the issue. Since Taylor left, we don't get much input. Maybe business is so good they don't have the time. Customer support is a valuable product.

I called Roadsmith and found out they changed several years ago and the driveshaft doesn't require grease. Unfortuately, they left the zerks in so it appears it does need grease when in fact it does not.

Maybe a Roadsmith rep will clear this up.

 

[rhino65]

The installer for my Champion S/A showed me a drive shaft split in 2 or 3 places with pinch bolts that clamped it all together.

Sounds similar to my CSC. Its they're Gen II shaft about 40k on conversion. Rear of driveshaft has a rubber like donout with 2 big cracks in it. Big enough to fit a nickel between them. Got a shaft from Mountain Trikes on the way. It has a CV joint at rear of shaft

 

[bikerbillone]

I called Roadsmith and found out they changed several years ago and the driveshaft doesn't require grease. Unfortuately, they left the zerks in so it appears it does need grease when in fact it does not.

Maybe a Roadsmith rep will clear this up.

MH, sounds like you got it right, here's the response I got from Daytona Beach Trike Shop....

Anne Nitti/Roadsmith <anne@trikeshop.com> To 'Bill Williams'

Today at 12:36 PM

Hi Bill~

In answer to your question about the greasing the drive shaft. The short answer is: No, you do not need to grease the zerk fitting.

Further details that you may be interested in that support that answer: The driveshaft comes with a zerk fitting on it, that needs to be greased one time (which is done at The Trike Shop Inc. (factory) in White Bear Lake, MN before the kits are shipped). The slip yoke and u joints are sealed (non greasable) The shaft does not move when it is used on the Roadsmith Conversion kit, unlike other slip yokes that do have movement in their application.

So Roadsmith Factory is correct in advising people that the driveshaft on a Roadsmith trike does not need greasing as part of maintenance by consumer.

 

[Roadsmith Trikes]

Hi all - here's the info on driveshaft servicing. Up until the last couple years, Roadsmith used u-joints on their driveshafts that needed to be greased. Several years ago, Roadsmith switched to sealed joints as we found many customers not servicing the front joint because it was difficult to get to. Bottom line? If there is a zerk fitting on the joint, it needs to be greased at least annually. All driveshafts will have a zerk on the slip-joint, which does not necessarily mean the u-joints have zerks.

Just an additional note, it is never a bad idea to give the driveshaft a good looking over every once in a while. Check for excess play or any grease seepage in the joints.

 

[bikerbillone]

Yikes, maybe I need to jerk my post #39, no wonder we RS drivers get confused.