Driveshaft removal on a 75

[GoldLokiToad]

SO, I'm new here, I joined because I am doing my 1st complete rebuild on a '75. While anxiously awaiting my Clymer and Haynes manuals, I've been pulling whole bunches of goodies and doodads off the bike with little complication. However I have never worked on a shaft driven, nor has my buddy, who is going to teach me the ins and outs of the engine rebuild. Anyway, last night I got to the swing arm, and I figured out the final drive and brake removal no problem. Came in this morning and got the bolts out of the swing arm pivot, with little issue, I am however completely vexed and in a war trying to figure out how to get the shaft to release. Have I missed some hidden snap ring or something. I've tried YouTube with no luck. Any assist is appreciated. Also any clues an popping a stubborn head, bolts are out and I've tapped like a flamenco dancer and PB Blasted but it still refuses to budge. I was contemplating using heat via a heat gun, but sort of want the gas tank off 1st and that seems to require the swing arm removal. Am I talking in cycles? 'cause I kind of feel like I am.

[smittyboy734]

Yes there is an inner clip that can be seen by pulling dust cover back from engine side of shaft and rotate the shaft till you can get to it

[SnoBrdr]

SO, I'm new here, I joined because I am doing my 1st complete rebuild on a '75. While anxiously awaiting my Clymer and Haynes manuals, I've been pulling whole bunches of goodies and doodads off the bike with little complication. However I have never worked on a shaft driven, nor has my buddy, who is going to teach me the ins and outs of the engine rebuild. Anyway, last night I got to the swing arm, and I figured out the final drive and brake removal no problem. Came in this morning and got the bolts out of the swing arm pivot, with little issue, I am however completely vexed and in a war trying to figure out how to get the shaft to release. Have I missed some hidden snap ring or something. I've tried YouTube with no luck. Any assist is appreciated. Also any clues an popping a stubborn head, bolts are out and I've tapped like a flamenco dancer and PB Blasted but it still refuses to budge. I was contemplating using heat via a heat gun, but sort of want the gas tank off 1st and that seems to require the swing arm removal. Am I talking in cycles? 'cause I kind of feel like I am.

Gas tank removal does not require you to remove the swing arm.

The whole rear of the bike does have to come off.

Are you sure you removed all the bolts from the head?

Do you have a service manual, if not, you really should get one before you go further. The two you mentioned are OK but you should really have a Honda Shop Manual.

Be aware that many, actually most of the internal enigine parts are no longer available anywhere, well http://www.wingovations.com/ sometimes have them.

[ekvh]

You'll need right angle snap ring pliers to get it. There is one also on the other end, usually buried in grease. It needs fairly long nosed snap ring pliers. You don't need it out to remove the swingarm, but it isn't a bad idea to pull it, clean, check spline wear, and re-grease with moly 60.

[landisr]

Isn't there an easy-to-miss bolt below-center? I could be wrong, but...

Let us know how it goes..

Ron in AZ

[landisr]

I just checked the parts fiche on Ron Ayers' site, and there are 6 long flange bolts and one shorter one which appears centered in the head and low. I seem to recollect that it isn't uncommon to miss it during disassembly. Good luck, and again,, let us know how things go.

Ron