OK folks. Here is the down and dirty. I've just passed this exact information on to Richard Purdy at MotorTrike so everyone has the same information and can use it as you will... I'd like to really thank those who helped me and those willing to allow me the time to heal and develope this information. I hope we all will benefit. If anyone wants more indepth information shoot me a PM. I'll tell you what I know....
Here are my initial measurements and observations regarding the complete new drive shaft assembly Motor Trike sent me to exchange for the one previously installed in my 2006 Honda GL1800 with Motor Trike Adventure conversion.
1. Rear universal joints are exactly the same.
2. Drive shaft and rear universal length is identical (16 9/16 inches).
3. Spline length on both drive shafts is identical.
4. Front universal joint has been redesigned but over all dimensions remains identical.
a. Front yoke over all length 4.8570 inches with 2.5430 inches over the engine output shaft.
b. Rear yoke over all length 3.4950 inches with 1.2465 inches available to go over the drive shaft spline area. NOTE: Only about 1 ¼ inch of internal spline area in both the old and new universal joint yoke.
c. Instead of tap in “C” clip to retain the end caps the new joint uses full “C” clips. Richard Purdy told me this was done to improve security of caps when installed.
d. The area around the universal joint journal has been opened up slightly. I still don’t think it would be possible to lube the front joint without removing the drive shaft assembly.
3-19-12 Installed new drive shaft assembly into my ’06 GL1800 with Motor Trike Adventure conversion kit. Will test drive tomorrow after work.
3-20-12 Sad to say the vibration has returned even worse then before!! As soon as highway speed is reached (60 to 65) vibration begins and gets worse the faster I got. At 70 mph it was so bad the center line was at least three or four times it’s actual width.
Came home and removed the complete shaft assembly to inspect and take photos. Reinstalled shaft assembly along with ½ inch spacer (just enough to fill the output yoke spline) and test rode trike. Much to my surprise the vibration is still there. It was less then without the spacer but still more then I believe it should be. My initial feeling is that the new drive shaft may not be true. Tomorrow I will reinstall the original drive shaft assembly and one half inch spacer to see if the vibration is still gone. If so that will be the answer.
Previously I had installed two half inch spacers with the original drive shaft assembly but that pushed the drive shaft through the front U-Joint output yoke which was over-kill and increased the force applied to shaft components by compression spring.
3-21-12 Replaced new drive shaft assembly with original assembly along with one half inch spacer. Was surprised the vibration did not go away. It was about the same as the new drive shaft assembly with spacer in place. I now suspect the minimal reduced vibration (on both drive shafts) to be my homemade spacer. When I removed the original drive shaft assembly and two half inch spacer I had installed two weeks ago I notice the rear spacer had several places it came in contact with the differential housing. I remove material in these areas and now think I might have caused the spacer to become unbalanced to the point it is inducing some vibration. Next step is to have a spacer professionally produced so it will be perfectly balanced and symmetrical. No idea how long this is going to take.
3-22-12 While discussing this issue with a friend over lunch the light came on…. I realized the boss on the front of the differential and the recess on the rear U-Joint output yoke were there to center the two units when mated. I had asked one of the TrikeTalk.com guys who had success ridding his Motor Trike Adventure of it’s vibration to send me photos of his spacer. When I got home from lunch the photos were in my e-mail and confirmed the boss/recess idea. Although his spacer is round because he did not have to contend with the ABS ring mounts the concept of space and centering was identical to my thoughts. With the mating in mind I modified my spacer to include a boss and recess so the differential and rear U-Joint output would be in alignment. Installed newly modified spacer and new drive shaft assembly and test rode. There was only very minimal improvement if any over no boss/recess.
3-23-12 Today I am a VERY HAPPY CAMPER!! First thing this morning I removed the new drive shaft and spacer then installed my old drive shaft along with the new modified spacer with boss/recess configuration. My test ride proved this trike could go down the road without buzzing the mirrors. Will contact Motor Trike and report my findings and then post on bulletin boards as promised. For my part I consider the case closed.
Here are my initial measurements and observations regarding the complete new drive shaft assembly Motor Trike sent me to exchange for the one previously installed in my 2006 Honda GL1800 with Motor Trike Adventure conversion.
1. Rear universal joints are exactly the same.
2. Drive shaft and rear universal length is identical (16 9/16 inches).
3. Spline length on both drive shafts is identical.
4. Front universal joint has been redesigned but over all dimensions remains identical.
a. Front yoke over all length 4.8570 inches with 2.5430 inches over the engine output shaft.
b. Rear yoke over all length 3.4950 inches with 1.2465 inches available to go over the drive shaft spline area. NOTE: Only about 1 ¼ inch of internal spline area in both the old and new universal joint yoke.
c. Instead of tap in “C” clip to retain the end caps the new joint uses full “C” clips. Richard Purdy told me this was done to improve security of caps when installed.
d. The area around the universal joint journal has been opened up slightly. I still don’t think it would be possible to lube the front joint without removing the drive shaft assembly.
3-19-12 Installed new drive shaft assembly into my ’06 GL1800 with Motor Trike Adventure conversion kit. Will test drive tomorrow after work.
3-20-12 Sad to say the vibration has returned even worse then before!! As soon as highway speed is reached (60 to 65) vibration begins and gets worse the faster I got. At 70 mph it was so bad the center line was at least three or four times it’s actual width.
Came home and removed the complete shaft assembly to inspect and take photos. Reinstalled shaft assembly along with ½ inch spacer (just enough to fill the output yoke spline) and test rode trike. Much to my surprise the vibration is still there. It was less then without the spacer but still more then I believe it should be. My initial feeling is that the new drive shaft may not be true. Tomorrow I will reinstall the original drive shaft assembly and one half inch spacer to see if the vibration is still gone. If so that will be the answer.
Previously I had installed two half inch spacers with the original drive shaft assembly but that pushed the drive shaft through the front U-Joint output yoke which was over-kill and increased the force applied to shaft components by compression spring.
3-21-12 Replaced new drive shaft assembly with original assembly along with one half inch spacer. Was surprised the vibration did not go away. It was about the same as the new drive shaft assembly with spacer in place. I now suspect the minimal reduced vibration (on both drive shafts) to be my homemade spacer. When I removed the original drive shaft assembly and two half inch spacer I had installed two weeks ago I notice the rear spacer had several places it came in contact with the differential housing. I remove material in these areas and now think I might have caused the spacer to become unbalanced to the point it is inducing some vibration. Next step is to have a spacer professionally produced so it will be perfectly balanced and symmetrical. No idea how long this is going to take.
3-22-12 While discussing this issue with a friend over lunch the light came on…. I realized the boss on the front of the differential and the recess on the rear U-Joint output yoke were there to center the two units when mated. I had asked one of the TrikeTalk.com guys who had success ridding his Motor Trike Adventure of it’s vibration to send me photos of his spacer. When I got home from lunch the photos were in my e-mail and confirmed the boss/recess idea. Although his spacer is round because he did not have to contend with the ABS ring mounts the concept of space and centering was identical to my thoughts. With the mating in mind I modified my spacer to include a boss and recess so the differential and rear U-Joint output would be in alignment. Installed newly modified spacer and new drive shaft assembly and test rode. There was only very minimal improvement if any over no boss/recess.
3-23-12 Today I am a VERY HAPPY CAMPER!! First thing this morning I removed the new drive shaft and spacer then installed my old drive shaft along with the new modified spacer with boss/recess configuration. My test ride proved this trike could go down the road without buzzing the mirrors. Will contact Motor Trike and report my findings and then post on bulletin boards as promised. For my part I consider the case closed.
