Hi all,
Fired the beast up today and whilst on tick over, on the centre stand, put it into 1st gear. Was initially alarmed by all the Ktrac warnings that came up on the dash but then noticed (heard) a faint knock/grinding sound coming from the back of the bike.
I've never run the bike, in gear on the main stand before, let alone in the garage, so have never heard the wheel just rotating with no load. I shut the bike off and rotated the rear wheel. I heard a very slight 'knock' coming from the wheel but couldn't determine whether it was coming from the final drive or the wheel itself.
I drained the shaft oil (filthy black/grey) and renewed, the same sound was still there...along with the usual brake pad rub.
Can anyone suggest what this might be? either final drive starting to grind (32000 miles, 2011) or rear wheel bearing needing replacing? ....or something else?
Bike has not been ridden since October so contemplating giving it a run and seeing if noise goes away.
What do you think?
Many thanks
I think this is to do with the splines which need greasing? Its a good few years since I've owned a GTR but that seems to ring a bell.
If I'm right, have a look at this thread.
https://www.gtr1400.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,4264.msg58751.html#msg58751
Moly grease is suitable for splines, and shouldn't be over used.
I had the same noise on my GTR a few years ago, although wheel rotated by hand only. The dealer said that the drive shaft splines needed lubricating (7,500 miles from new) however, on dismantling it was found that the bearings within the drive shaft were spinning in their housing and a new shaft was needed.
Fortunately it was replaced under warranty, as even then (2014) the assembly cost some £2,200 plus fitting.
The dealer did say that Kawasaki had only reported two similar failures in the European market in the past, so quite rare at least!
I'll be taking the rear wheel off next week so, perhaps, I'll go a bit further and do the splines.
Having looked at Kwiks photos...is it not possible to squeeze moly in there without having to remove the shaft?
Not that I can remember, I used to remove the rear wheel annually and pop the diff off to lube everything, it's not to big a job but get the right grease, and change the dif oil regularly, I used to change all the fluids every 4k
You need to use 60% moly, not just regular moly grease as that will end up spattered all over the rear wheel. The 60% stuff is much thicker, but also pricey.
Don't forget that shaft mechanisms always have some slop in them and that can lead to unexpected noises when running it with no load on the rear wheel.
Quote from: Boomer on February 19, 2021, 09:32:20 PMYou need to use 60% moly, not just regular moly grease as that will end up spattered all over the rear wheel. The 60% stuff is much thicker, but also pricey.
Don't forget that shaft mechanisms always have some slop in them and that can lead to unexpected noises when running it with no load on the rear wheel.
:goodpost:
I think that Honda supply such grease which as George correctly points out is expensive
Quote from: O.C. on February 20, 2021, 01:40:56 PM:goodpost:
I think that Honda supply such grease which as George correctly points out is expensive
Many years ago after Asif regreased his splines I purchased some Honda Moly paste fully intending to grease up my shaft. :popcorn:
I never got round to it and I have a funny feeling that only earlier this year I chucked the stuff away while having a garage clear out. I'll have a look tomorrow, if I find it you can certainly have it.
Coincidentally some years ago I was given some Honda Moly Paste (from 2Kwacks I think)
I don't have it anymore otherwise you could have had it
Unfortunately this isn't helping Moogus, but I guess its providing some degree of entertainment,
along with Steve greasing his shaft (the mind boggles) :mfr_lol:
I use Loctite Moly paste, did the splines amongst all the major service items, changed hoses, plugs etc. Had a short shake down ride today, can't stop grinning, it's what's been missing.
Quote from: Nitty Gritty on February 20, 2021, 06:59:09 PMI use Loctite Moly paste, did the splines amongst all the major service items, changed hoses, plugs etc. Had a short shake down ride today, can't stop grinning, it's what's been missing.
I've been pondering whether it would be okay to go for a ride to blow the cobwebs off for the last few days but we've had a mixture of heavy rain and today, very high winds which I think we're going to have tomorrow too. I desperately need to go for a ride, it doesn't even need to be far. Fingers crossed on Monday Boris will relax some restrictions that might allow me to for a ride without fear of feeling guilty or worse still, being fined by some over enthusiastic plod.
I think a few of us are awaiting Boris' announcement tomorrow, I know I am :yes:
BMW stopped recommending the molly60, they replaced it with Castrol Optimol T.
Quote from: Tynesidebob on February 21, 2021, 11:07:48 PMBMW stopped recommending the molly60, they replaced it with Castrol Optimol T.
That's good to know, thanks.
Thanks for all the comments and advice.
I'll pull the final drive apart this week, as per Kwiks excellent photos/advice. The rear wheel is going off to have the TPMS replaced with a 90 degree valve (again following excellent advice on this forum) anyway.
I've purchased a tube of the Honda moly grease, hopefully all should go OK. I'm not mechanically minded, the biggest job i tackle is carb and starter motor strip and rebuild etc...never tackled a final drive strip down but it does look straightforward. I'll clean the back end up as well, and brakes, while i'm at it. Replace the rear shock as well.
Once again, great advice and lots of help, all very much appreciated :yes:
OK, Followed Kwicks advice, took it all to bits then I've greased the splines, all good and put it back together.
Before I put the rear wheel back on I was thinking of swapping the rear shock (I have another o.e.m unit). Here's the dumb question....if I take the shock off, without the wheel in place, is the back end of the bike going to fall to the floor?
Actually, thinking about it, of course it will duh! Supporting something with a trolley jack must be the way to go...
Quote from: Lonewolf on February 20, 2021, 06:23:00 PMMany years ago after Asif regreased his splines I purchased some Honda Moly paste fully intending to grease up my shaft. :popcorn:
I never got round to it and I have a funny feeling that only earlier this year I chucked the stuff away while having a garage clear out. I'll have a look tomorrow, if I find it you can certainly have it.
Ah yes, the famous Honda disappearing Moly. I bought some, used it once, and could never find the tube again.. I think it magically disappears after the initial opening of the tube.
All done!
Was easier than I thought, although did take a bit of fiddling to get the final drive casing to mate up with the prop.
Shock was an easy swap, supported final drive on a trolley jack. Even repainted the centre stand, hugger brackets and the silver bits (one each side) above the swing arm, and swapped the brake pads and had tpms removed replaced with 90° valve.
Will do front pads and front tpms later this week and change oil, filter and air filter ready for summer.
All done with help and advice from this forum.
Thankyou :cool:
nothing more satisfiying than doing a job yourself - right - and saving on those steeler prices.
Absolutely :agree:
Decided to strip bodywork off to swap the air filter as well. Pleased I did! Filter was filthy (supposed to have been serviced at point of sale last July) and coolant level way below minimum. Got some green Castrol pre mix on its way!