Splines, splines, splines, grease and paste...again

[AliSTair]

Apologies for yet another thread on this well documented topic….but I have done a lot of reading and am still a bit confused about the subject.  I have my new bike booked in for new tyres tomorrow and I want to make sure use the right stuff in the right places, so I would prefer to ask and reveal my ignorance than make the wrong choice and look even more foolish!  Here we go…

 Q:  How many splines are there?  People refer to rear splines, rear wheel splines, final drive splines, drive shaft splines, gear splines etc..is the following correct?

There is a ‘male’ spline on the hub which bolts onto the rear wheel. There is a ‘male’ spline on the end of the drive shaft, There are 2 ‘female’ splines within the final drive unit with which the ‘male’ rear wheel and drive shaft splines mate…making a total of four?


Q. Do all these splines need to be lubricated with Honda Moly Paste?. The consensus seems to be that they should be, although a few alternatives are considered ok such as Molybond GA50, Molykote Gn paste.  Im a bit confused here because page 84 of  the owners manual found here campaigns.hondampe.com.au/Motorcycles/manuals/ST1100.pdf states

 “Before installing the rear wheel, check that the wheel hub and final drive gear splines are coated with grease” 

I would assume that if it needed the Moly Paste, it would say so here, rather than simply asking for grease.  I confess I don’t have a workshop manual yet and there may be more info about the required grease in that, but I find it odd that the Owners Manual simply calls for ‘grease’ if these splines have such specific lubrication requirements.

I rang my tyre changer and he said he uses a waterproof grease on the splines…as I cant get hold of the Moly Paste before tomorrow I plan to simply ride it with his grease and to remove the rear wheel, clean the splines and re-apply the paste (if required) when my order arrives in the post.

Does this sound sensible?

[alans1100]

I have copied the relevant grease points and type that the manual specifies

It is also advisable to replace the three O rings in the same area when doing a tyre change. Maybe not every tyre change but at least inspect them and replace if required.

Item 37 here (Final Drive) in behind the splines http://www.st-1100.com/st1100-parts-fiche-final-driven-gear-st1100ax.html

Item 23 sits on wheel centre, and item 24 sits on drive flange (or spider) http://www.st-1100.com/st1100-parts-fiche-rear-wheel-st1100ax.html

All those spline terms are for all the same thing.

[pault]

very sensible to redo the spline when you get the good stuff. not difficult, it is sticky stuff,  some knees creak getting up and down, give them a bit too.

[AliSTair]

Managed to source some Molykote Gn Plus Paste this afternoon, will provide it to the tyre changer tomorrow and ask him to use it!   

[Yorkie]

I would suggest you be there to have a look at the condition of your splines, cush rubbers and the aly inserts.

[AliSTair]

Unfortunately I will be at work when the tyre is changed.  I might ask them to send me a photo of these when the wheel is off. Are these parts shown under a different name on the fiche Alan linked?

[SteveR]

Alistair, I'm away at the moment, but have a couple tubes of Moly 60 in the shed. Depending what time you're taking your bike in, I could see if someone could meet you at my place to get you some? Otherwise, come grab a spoonful when you pull the wheel off some time.

[AliSTair]

thanks for the offer Steve but I dropped the bike in first thing this morning...will no doubt take the wheel off before too long just to double check their handiwork and might check in with you at this time. Where in Geelong are you? (Im in Highton)

[alans1100]

Unfortunately I will be at work when the tyre is changed.  I might ask them to send me a photo of these when the wheel is off. Are these parts shown under a different name on the fiche Alan linked?

Item 1 is the Damper set (Cush Rubbers) and 3 is the Damper Wheel Piece (Ally insert) in the rear wheel fiche link.

[SteveR]

thanks for the offer Steve but I dropped the bike in first thing this morning...will no doubt take the wheel off before too long just to double check their handiwork and might check in with you at this time. Where in Geelong are you? (Im in Highton)

I'm the other side of the river, in Breakwater.