U-jiont replacement

[steve allen]

does the swingarm have to be removed to remove and replace u-joint? Is this a very difficult procedure? I must know before I tear into my 87 aspy, cause of health issues, I might have to have shop do the work, but, like anyone else, if I can do it myself, I rather! I now have aspy on centerstand any about to start working on it, just wanted to know before I start. I plan to restore, rpaint, and try to make wing one of a kind! Thanks for all and any help and or advise...Steve

[HALBUDD]

Hay Steve I just pulled the final drive on my 85 aspy. the drive shaft came right out but the u-joint will stay in.You will need to pull the swing_arm out to get it out as there is not enough room to pull it thru the front and it wont slid down the tube. It wasnt to bad pulling the rear end off a lot of fun haha putting the drive shaft back up the swing arm and back into the u-joint. Good time to put the moly grease on all of it bike is back together and no leaks ,runs good now. Hal

[arkansassuperdrafter]

Steve, I just replaced the u-joint on my 86 Interstate without pulling the swing arm. You can lower the exhaust and the swing arm will drop down enought to allow you to wiggle the u-joint out at the front of the swing arm where the boot is. I did it this way because I made the socket to remove the locknut from the swing arm, but could never break it loose. Of course, this is after you remove the final drive.

[steve allen]

guess I will try one way or the other......mech at Honda shop will lone me the socket to remove swingarm, what ever I must do, I'll do! Have ordered some new parts for wing, engine sidecovers, new windshield, some extra chrome, and will be painting new within the next month. I want to make it like new, but, I must fix drive line noise, then, go from there. You guys are very helpful, and I thank you all for the info! Steve

[Ed Z]

Do insure the U joint goes back in the correct direction (one end is longer) and also insure it is well lubed with moly 60 grease on the splines... Replace the drive shaft boot while your at it... The early model 1500 boots are the same if you can't find a new 1200 version...

[longjohnk]

My bike has pretty severe vibration upon deceleration but is butter smooth otherwise. I'm thinking it's the u joint. I've read that orienting the u joint wrong can cause this?
Besides the longer part going towards the front, is there any particular way the u joint has to be installed? Is it possible someone put mine in with the short end pointed forward?

Thanks.

[WingAdmin]

My bike has pretty severe vibration upon deceleration but is butter smooth otherwise. I'm thinking it's the u joint. I've read that orienting the u joint wrong can cause this?
Besides the longer part going towards the front, is there any particular way the u joint has to be installed? Is it possible someone put mine in with the short end pointed forward?

Thanks.

Not sure if you can actually get it in there backwards - even if you could, it wouldn't last very long, as it would be putting tremendous stress on it every time you went over a bump and the swingarm moved, because the U-joint pivot point wouldn't line up with the swingarm pivot. It would fail pretty quickly like that.

[longjohnk]

Gotcha, thanks for the reply.