Crown wheel splines worn...

[lukemike]

I wish I could offer technical insights…just not there yet, so I have another question.

I had my yearly service this past week…never fails to bring something else to light for future repair.

Was told the crown gear splines would need to be replaced at some point in the near future.  The shop tech said this was going to be a major repair.  Looking at the parts, I'm guessing this is mostly going to be labor as the parts don't seem to be too expensive just looking at OEM parts through a dealer in the US.

I haven't priced out the parts in Sydney, Australia yet…

From reading other posts, this looks like a pretty big job given struggles some have with getting the rear wheel off.

Anyone replace the crown gear and have any suggestions?  Is there non-OEM part suppliers, the tech mentioned Motorwerks perhaps?

Thanks all!

[steve hawkins]

I would be inclined to check it out yourself.   Did they show you what the issue was at the shop?

If not and especially if you are not 'feeling' any issue, I would be very dubious.

Perhaps its just the shop warning you that the next time you turn up they are going take your trousers down and give you a damn good spanking.  I.e. Make sure you have some money on you next time.

Whilst they can wear out, it is normally only with very high mileage, mistreatment, no maintenance or all of the above. None of the splines on my old R65 have any issues and it has more that 110,000 miles on it.

I would always recommend that people do at least some of their own maintenance, and familiarize themselves with their own bike.  Unless your local garage mechanic is an Airhead Guru, he is only one step ahead of yourself.  I.e. he is guessing.......And what is normal play for the mileage, becomes an 'issue'.  

You got to ask why he thinks the crown wheel is an issue?  Was there loads of metal in the transmission oil?  Second hand final drive might be the answer.

More detail please.

Good luck

Rev. light

[montmil]

Your mechanic has his terminology incorrect.

Unless he removed the Cradan cover to expose the pinion and crown gears, which I doubt was done on an annual inspection, he is likely referring to the final drive splines. You did not mention the mileage on your bike but it's unlikely that you need to be concerned.

To put your mind at ease, remove the rear wheel -really, it's not THAT big of an issue- and take a look at the splines; both within the wheel hub and the portion coming through the Cardan cover.
   Worn out splines will be pointy where good splines will still have the "squared off" outer edges. A little wear is normal. You may see some evidence of wear but that's most often normal usage.

Repeating the above comments, Change final drive gear oil on an annual basis and look at the gear lube for "sparkley glitter" indicating metal. Little bit is normal. Whole bunch ain't.

Now get out there and pull the rear wheel. Eyeball the splines -and check that they were properly greased with a moly-based grease- take a photo and post it up. Us'uns can tell you straight if you have or don't have a problem.

BTW, is your "mechanic" younger than your Airhead?  

EDIT: OK, I see it's an '81 model...

[Julio A.]

Unless you oversize the tires, the rear wheel is easy to remove, believe me. I'd agree with Monte on this one and recommend inspecting the crown gear spline for yourself. If you want to remove your rear wheel without lifting the bike up, removing the rear mudguard would make it 100 times easier.

[nhmaf]

+1 with the above.   And, with careful shopping - IF- you do need to replace the final drive, it is often cheaper to get a good used one than the have the original one rebuilt if you are not doing it yourself.   But, I don't know what the going prices would be in Australia..

[Bob_Roller]

Splines can be repaired .

http://www.hansensmc.com/default.asp?page=spline

[suecanada]

Luke...honest.... the rear wheel is not hard to remove. If I can do it alone on grass at a campsite at a rally, it's got to be easy. That time I had taken a 22mm spanner with me as I knew that I did not want to remove the rightside muffler to be able to use a 22mm socket wrench...not enough room. However, even the muffler is easy to remove.... one universal clamp and 2 small allen key bolts removed from a flange under the right end.

Many of our R65's are so well balanced by the centrestand that just a bit of weight on the front fender is enough to keep the rear wheel up. So off comes the 22 mm right side big nut and its washer; undo the leftside axle cinch/pinch bolt and nut using 13mm sized tool; then insert the draw bar in your tool kit or a length of screwdriver shaft into the hole at the end of the axle; wiggle and pull the axle out. Voila.

Take the wheel off. Don't be concerned..nothing will fall down/over/spring up! There is your spline! and the wheel itself has the mating spline in it.

When you lube with moly grease, just put the moly into the wheel side splines. Why? Guys on this forum said it's better that way!!
Seriously, that way grease and possible dirt is not forced up against the seal on the hub side when the wheel is pushed back onto the hubside spline.

When you put the axle back in, make an effort to leave the hole in the end facing slightly down so any water will always drain out of the wee hole.

I've learned lots of things from these sweet guys on this forum!!?? You will too!!

[Bob_Roller]

The one thing you may want to do, is to adjust the brake shoes in with the adjuster on the rear brake rod .

I've had problems on occasion with that .

[Tony Smith]

Splines can be repaired .

http://www.hansensmc.com/default.asp?page=spline

Thank you for that link, I have filed it away.  when/if mine need doing I'll talk to the local cat guys to weld them up and then I'll have a mate with a shaper re-cut the splines.