Rear Wheel and Tire R&R Class

[bicyclist]

...are there certain methods or techniques that should be used when riding a shaft drive bike to protect...

Not when riding it, but maintenance is obviously different from a chain or belt driven bike. Having said that, it isn't a good idea to ride through water deep enough to submerge the final drive, but you're not likely to do that. Maintenance is pretty well covered further up the thread.

 

[Chucksklrst]

Changed the rear tire on my ST1300 today. Took off an Old PR3 inspected the wheel splines and drive flange bearings. Inspected the final drive splines. All OK. Looks brand new for 125000 miles. Is a great testament to Honda Molly 60. Installed a new PR4GT. Molly 60 the splines and re-installed the rear wheel. Ready for another year. I have a front PR4GT waiting to go on my ST700 at a later date.

 

[Phil Tarman]

Wow! Those splines look a little different from the way mine looked, don't they?

 

[bicyclist]

I had my rear tire replaced in Edmonton on the way back from Alaska and Yellowknife last year and didn't get a look at the splines. Now, I've lubed them at each tire change, but after seeing all the dirt in Phil's wheel, I was a little concerned, so I took the wheel off and had a look. I was pleased to find everything looking good. Lubed everything up, reassembled and it's ready to go to Montana. 53K miles on the bike.

 

[Phil Tarman]

Mmmm. That looks slightly different than mine did.