Motor Trike drive shaft

trikeman · Aug 1, 2019

That’s how the mouse ate the elephant. Little by Little. One bite at a time. :wave4:

tndragonrider · Feb 5, 2020

MT U-Joint greasing

I know this thread is old but if anyone is till having issues with the greasing of the u-joints on the trike, just let me know and I will explain the solution.

wehrme · Feb 6, 2020

tndragonrider said:
I know this thread is old but if anyone is till having issues with the greasing of the u-joints while on the trike, just let me know and I will explain the solution.

It is pretty hard to grease the u-joints while you are on the trike.:Joker3:

CrystalPistol · Feb 6, 2020

Warlock said:
Just bought … etc …

David

So yours is (or was?) the first M-T version still using a Honda front U-joint? Many trikes will go for their whole life with a Honda OEM front U-joint. I understand wanting an upgrade, but at some point in the process of upgrading parts, chasing "weak links" … the weak link will be the transmission output shaft or some other internal transmission part.

CrystalPistol · Feb 7, 2020

wrong place

D'07ShadowAero · Apr 12, 2020

Does adding a Trike kit affect tire size maybe to relieve pressure on drive shaft?

I have an 07 shadow aero 750. Standard size rear tire is 160/80/15. But 170/80/15 is on it, and it keeps nagging me as why is there a different tire size. The trike kit is by Trikeman. 2 bolts and unplug wiring to be on 2 wheels. Not sure whether to order rear standard size or the same size on there now.

Volkemon · Apr 12, 2020

D'07ShadowAero said:
I have an 07 shadow aero 750. Standard size rear tire is 160/80/15. But 170/80/15 is on it, and it keeps nagging me as why is there a different tire size. The trike kit is by Trikeman. 2 bolts and unplug wiring to be on 2 wheels. Not sure whether to order rear standard size or the same size on there now.

""2 bolts and unplug wiring to be on 2 wheels."" :xzqxz: Made me google the kit. Thats training wheels, trikes have 3 wheels.

And as such, you may have seen the effect training wheels have on a bicyclist- there are times that the outer wheels may keep the center wheel from contacting.

Even on the flats, by changing the diameter of the rear tire, you change the contact pressure on the ground. So a smaller diameter tire might be GREAT for burnouts :clapping:, and a larger tire make you a bit unsteady, as the training wheels may not have the pressure on them they want.

I have NO idea if there are adjustments to the wheels to accommodate for the rear drive tire diameter changes. If not, or the previous owner didnt know, they may have found that a move up in size helped to make the bike more stable.

Just my guess as to why your tire size might be different. :Shrug: Possible that the tire vendor just had that size and it was put on as close enough.

I just clicked on it cause the thread subject was motor trike drive shaft...

Freddie · Jun 15, 2020

Honda VTX1300 Motortrike rear end noise

I have a 2003 Honda VTX1300 Motortrike. I have all kinds of weird sound coming from the drive train. Understand guys say this is a noisy engine but just went through and adjusted the valves and such. Weird noises not coming from the engine but from the drive ? I was suspecting the drive shaft when I came across this post. Can anybody tell me what / how to inspect. This dang thing only has 11,000 miles on it but seems to me like it keeps getting louder...

rhino 2 · Jun 15, 2020

Freddie said:
I have a 2003 Honda VTX1300 Motortrike. I have all kinds of weird sound coming from the drive train. Understand guys say this is a noisy engine but just went through and adjusted the valves and such. Weird noises not coming from the engine but from the drive ? I was suspecting the drive shaft when I came across this post. Can anybody tell me what / how to inspect. This dang thing only has 11,000 miles on it but seems to me like it keeps getting louder...

Fred.....I can't help on the drive train...But i can Welcome you to Trike-Talk...:wave4:....

And i'm sure someone here with knowledge on your drive train problem will chime soon in with help...

Lee H. Mann · Jun 15, 2020

Freddie said:
I have a 2003 Honda VTX1300 Motortrike. I have all kinds of weird sound coming from the drive train. Understand guys say this is a noisy engine but just went through and adjusted the valves and such. Weird noises not coming from the engine but from the drive ? I was suspecting the drive shaft when I came across this post. Can anybody tell me what / how to inspect. This dang thing only has 11,000 miles on it but seems to me like it keeps getting louder...

Fred, Welcome to Trike Talk from West Virginia.:wave4:

MotorTrike rep. Richard will chime in.

mgewirtz · Jun 20, 2020

drive shaft issue

Hello, If you can believe this I just picked up a 2012 Goldwing 1800 with Motor Trike kit with 23,000 miles and drove it home. Got within 1 mile and the shaft broke the front u joint. Not to worry I got a hold of my local dealer and Dennis came right over to see what happened. Parts on order and look to be riding soon.

CrystalPistol · Jun 23, 2020

mgewirtz said:
Hello, If you can believe this I just picked up a 2012 Goldwing 1800 with Motor Trike kit with 23,000 miles and drove it home. Got within 1 mile and the shaft broke the front u joint. Not to worry I got a hold of my local dealer and Dennis came right over to see what happened. Parts on order and look to be riding soon.<img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" smilieid="52" class="inlineimg">

If a 237 mile ride the story would be more exciting than if a 1.25 mile ride?

WELCOME!

rhino 2 · Jun 23, 2020

mgewirtz said:
Hello, If you can believe this I just picked up a 2012 Goldwing 1800 with Motor Trike kit with 23,000 miles and drove it home. Got within 1 mile and the shaft broke the front u joint. Not to worry I got a hold of my local dealer and Dennis came right over to see what happened. Parts on order and look to be riding soon.

Mike .....Welcome to Trike-Talk.....:clapping:.....Keep us inform on how you made out with the repair....

Freddie · Jul 13, 2020

2003 Honda VTX Motor Trike Driveshaft

Thanks for all the warm welcomes guys.

Never knew such a great resource like this was available !

I was formerly a Goldwing rider and member of Steve Saunders Goldwing Forum. Very helpful and great group of guys.

I had a stroke back in 2017 and lost my balance. I went with the VTX 1300 Motor Trike because I have always been a Honda rider and like the style and reputation of Motor Trike.

Bought my VTX with only 8,000 miles and love it except for the last 1,000 mile since it has developed crazy clattering sounds.

I just contacted Motor Trike and they said a there is not a replacement driveshaft for the VTX available.

Apparently the stock driveshaft uses the factory Honda front u-joint/yoke assembly.

Ok, guess we are getting somewhere...

So what is it with the factory Honda front u-joint/yoke assembly that is causing the problem and what should I look at rebuilding / replacing ?

I can still turn a wrench, just can't balance a 900 pound two wheeler anymore

Thanks,

Freddie

bikerbillone · Jul 15, 2020

My first guess would be U joint which seems to be the weak link in the shaft drive. Lots of torque a that shaft is heavy, places stress on the U joints. Not sure if there's a bit of offset on the MotorTrike, but there's another problem as well.

If I recall correctly when I was looking to buy a trike, the MotorTrike shaft drive had to be removed for proper greasing. Surely some MotorTrike owners will step up here.

Burnerboy · Jul 15, 2020

wehrme said:
It is pretty hard to grease the u-joints while you are on the trike.:Joker3:

I have a Roadsmith model.........I have two grease zirks on my u-joints.. ( I shoot a few squirts of grease in it, before I ride for the season/and sometimes before a very long ride) I honestly don't know if I'm helping it or hurting it, BUT I will continue to use this grease till i'm convinced differently..................

Ronnie

Burnerboy · Jul 15, 2020

bikerbillone said:
My first guess would be U joint which seems to be the weak link in the shaft drive. Lots of torque a that shaft is heavy, places stress on the U joints. Not sure if there's a bit of offset on the MotorTrike, but there's another problem as well.

If I recall correctly when I was looking to buy a trike, the MotorTrike shaft drive had to be removed for proper greasing. Surely some MotorTrike owners will step up here.

Hello Bill, just saying hello to you from Massachusetts...........

Ronnie

rvance · Sep 26, 2020

On my 2011 I can grease the U-joint by reaching through the right side access panel.

Volkemon · Sep 28, 2020

Freddie said:
Thanks for all the warm welcomes guys.

Never knew such a great resource like this was available !

I was formerly a Goldwing rider and member of Steve Saunders Goldwing Forum. Very helpful and great group of guys.

I had a stroke back in 2017 and lost my balance. I went with the VTX 1300 Motor Trike because I have always been a Honda rider and like the style and reputation of Motor Trike.

Bought my VTX with only 8,000 miles and love it except for the last 1,000 mile since it has developed crazy clattering sounds.

I just contacted Motor Trike and they said a there is not a replacement driveshaft for the VTX available.

Apparently the stock driveshaft uses the factory Honda front u-joint/yoke assembly.

Ok, guess we are getting somewhere...

So what is it with the factory Honda front u-joint/yoke assembly that is causing the problem and what should I look at rebuilding / replacing ?

I can still turn a wrench, just can't balance a 900 pound two wheeler anymore

Thanks,

Freddie

I have a 2006 VTX 1800 Motortrike. Learned a LOT about the driveline when I got it.

There is no 'replacement driveshaft' for the VTX's as far as a 'new and improved' model. They sold me another stock shaft, which is a rear flange, rear u-joint, and the intermediate shaft. Then a stock VTX front u-joint is used.

The slide part of the shaft cannot be 'properly' greased without removal. Not a big deal, (4) 12mm head 12pt bolts. 12pt box wrench works great.

Interested to see what your vibration is. If you are still following this thread, PM me or respond here.