Think I've got a bad U-Joint... Should I ride?

[mraidanlove]

So, I think I have a bad U-joint on a '98 GL1500SE because I can feel slop in it if that makes sense. There's a delay between me letting off the throttle and feeling the decel hit, but it is quite the jerk when it does. I have found that I can avoid this jerk being quite so bad if I am just gentler with throttle changes. I have the U-joint and new boot on order, but they won't be here for a few weeks.

I'm trying to decide whether I should take a 450 mile road trip on this thing before I replace that U-joint. Should I?

[WingAdmin]

Driveline lash can be U-joint, but is more often worn splines. When the U-joint goes, you typically feel it in the foot pegs as vibration when you "float" the engine - i.e. at speed, reduce throttle until the driveline has little to no load on it, the engine is matching the speed of the drivetrain, neither braking or accelerating.

[mraidanlove]

Is there a way I can inspect the splines before I pull the rear-end off the bike? (The hope is to be able to order a new final drive should I need one as soon as possible) I'm also trying to minimize downtime.

I've already ordered and cannot cancel the U-Joint and boot, so I suppose I'll just go ahead and replace it anyway. It's the beefier one so hopefully it will last for the life of the bike.
If not, is this a good plan of attack?—
1. Session 1
Pull rear end, inspect splines, (if worn, order replacement final drive), apply moly lube, reassemble, check if lash fixed
2. Session 2
Pull rear end, (replace final drive if required), apply copious moly lube, replace U-Joint, more moly, reassemble, pray its fixed now

Can I test ride to check for driveline lash without completely reassembling?


Oh! And, Should I avoid riding in the meantime?

[WingAdmin]

Is there a way I can inspect the splines before I pull the rear-end off the bike? (The hope is to be able to order a new final drive should I need one as soon as possible) I'm also trying to minimize downtime.

No, you have to pull the rear wheel off to see the wheel splines, and then pull the final drive off the swingarm to see the driveshaft/final drive splines.

[rider1939]

" when you "float" the engine"


Probably common verbiage, but the first time I've ever heard it = Very nice. ! ! !