Problem Shaft Drive?

[Herb Schonher]

What are some simptoms of shaft drive problems other than it won't move?Mine has been acting & sounding as if gears are slipping for months now.It only does it when first starting out(easy) or when in second gear at low RPM(2000 or below).It seems to do it only when engine is warmed up.Bike is 1980 850 w/61,000+miles.Any ideas? Thanks.

[rustybronco]

just a quick guess, have you removed the rear wheel and tire off the bike and checked the splines in the rear wheel? also check the splines on the final drive (with the rear wheel off) it is much more likely the the splines are stripped in the wheel than any other area of the drive line, do you know the history of this bike?
if you haven't already, check the fluid in the secondary drive and the final drive unit

[highmileage]

It is critical that the splines be cleaned and greased every time the rear wheel is removed.

[focus frenzy]

only when starting off easy or real low rpm in second, and only when warmed up?????

that is not a shaft drive problem!
I need a better description of what exactly it is doing and what it sounds like.

the odds of it being something related to the drive shaft, secondary gear box, or final drive is pretty slim.

[rustybronco]

that is not a shaft drive problem!
I need a better description of what exactly it is doing and what it sounds like.

the odds of it being something related to the drive shaft, secondary gear box, or final drive is pretty slim.

it's that easy part thats also bothering me
I just think it takes more torque to start it going.

Can't see, feel or touch it soo...
where is the noise comeing from ? having someone along side of the bike may help.

[flyingace]

For my own peace of mind, I would take the time to remove the rear wheel and inspect the splines. You can tell if they are worn out - if not other threads have pictures you can compare.

I agree the symptoms don't jive, but sometimes a marginal situation causes wierd behavior.

[tconroy]

What are some simptoms of shaft drive problems other than it won't move?Mine has been acting & sounding as if gears are slipping for months now.It only does it when first starting out(easy) or when in second gear at low RPM(2000 or below).It seems to do it only when engine is warmed up.Bike is 1980 850 w/61,000+miles.Any ideas? Thanks.

I think rustybronco nailed it for sure.Its probably your splines.Put it on the center stand and put it in gear and see what kind of play you have in the rear wheel That should tell you if the gears are ok or not.Shaft drives are not good burn out bikes.The splines wont last long if you do it often.With that many mile its probably time to change them anyway!

[JayH]

How much free play do you have at your clutch lever? A clutch that isn't properly adjusted can show the same 'my bike won't move" signs that you are talking about.

.

[TwnsndWhln]

I have the same issues on my bike. The sounds seem to come from the rear of the bike at the shaft. Only when the bike is chugging a bit like when starting off real slow does it occur.

The bike runs fine nearly all the time except for those chuggish starts when the sound pops up. I like to address mechanical issues when they crop up and nip it in the bud sort of thing.

Are splines readily available for the tire and shaft housing for an 84 GS1100GK or any old GS for that matter? How about installation?

[SqDancerLynn1]

Once the wheel is off it is a 15 minute job to replace it They are readly available from Suzuki

[TwnsndWhln]

Thanks Sqdancer!!

[duaneage]

You'll need grease for more than the splines if you go to the dealer as they list for around 100.00 and up. I would check eBay or this forum for one

[Herb Schonher]

REPLY-Problem Shaft Drive?

Thanks for all the replies!Sounds like I need to check splines at rear wheel.I last checked/cleaned & greased them 2,000mi. ago w/last tire change & they were good then.I don't do any wheelies/burnouts & haven't changed the way I start out,so this is something new.The clutch is adjusted correctly & doesn't slip(heavy springs).My first thought was bad U-joint because it seemed like something binding up.A couple times it has stalled when taking off normally.It doesn't do it all the time & never seems to do it when engine is cold.One thing I noticed a couple years back was that when running it in gear when on the centerstand it sounded terrible.I didn't know if that was normal for shaft drive. I bought another 1980-850 a year later & tried it again & big difference in sound.I don't know how much play is in the drivetrain since my back is out at the moment,but hopefully I can get it on the centerstand before I leave for upstate N.Y. I'm looking foreward to riding my other 850 up there till the weather gets cold.I have a third parts bike up there I can bring back the parts I need if I can only figure which ones those are. Thanks again.