'82 GS650GL not shifting

[Steve]

Getting ready for my next project here. My son had the 650 at school, then called me to bring the trailer to get the bike home. Engine fires right up, but it will not move the bike. Shifter moves, gear indicator changes, but the rear wheel never moves.

I was thinking of starting at the clutch to make sure things are OK there, then moving downstream. Any typical problem areas that I should be aware of before I start?


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[chiphead]

I don't think the 650s have any chronic problems. The clutch is a good as place to start as any I guess. Was he lighting up the rear tire when the failure occurred?

[Dave8338]

I don't think the 650s have any chronic problems. The clutch is a good as place to start as any I guess. Was he lighting up the rear tire when the failure occurred?

That was my thought also? :-D Hope its' not a stripped hub...

[duaneage]

Sounds like the splines went on the rear wheel.

[Steve]

I was not there when the failure occurred, but somehow, it would not surprise me if he was lighting up the tire.

He is 21, has been riding for 5 1/2 years (on the street), and is actually rather good. His mother has been on the back of his Venture for a weekend trip to West Virginia, and says that she trusts him as much as she trusts me. 8-[ (I think that's a compliment.)

He prefers to ride his '86 Venture Royale, but it is in my garage right now getting a bunch of restoration and repair done, so he had the 650 out to play.

Now, assuming that it might be the splines, I would imagine that the easiest thing would be to change the rear end and the driven plate on the wheel? I had the wheel off to replace the tire a couple of summers ago, so removal is no problem, I just did not take inventory of what all might break while I was in there. If the splines are bad, wouldn't there be a bit of a grinding noise coming from the hub? I don't remember hearing any.

Since he would rather have the Venture back for the summer, I will continue on it, and save the 650 for later.

Thanks


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[Steve]

Well, the Venture is still waiting for some body work, but here is a quick update on the 650:

Found a twisted drive shaft. It broke just behind the u-joint,
I don't think a laser or plasma cut would have been any cleaner a separation. :shock:

Got a good replacement, thanks to a member of this forum. Have not yet installed it, but I will, soon. 8-[


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[Dave8338]

You're going to have to get him set up with a chain drive model..."like father like son" ? :-D Must have been a bad part from the factory...:? \\/

[Steve]

Sorry, the only chains allowed around here are timing chains. :shock:

His first bike was an '81 450T that had a chain. We found an identical parts bike to fix a few things that were wrong with the first bike. Both of those bikes are now gone. His next bike was the '82 650L, then an '83 Yamaha Venture. Now he has an '86 Venture Royale. Wife has an '82 850L, I have a Wing.

ALL have shaft drive, and I won't have it any other way. \\/