Attached is a photo of the same drive spline 7yrs apart. When I first purchased the bike (1996 ST1100P) it had been languishing in the owners front yard for a couple of years, out in the weather looking very neglected and unloved. Purchased it for $250 and transported it home on the back of my truck. I stripped the bike completely and renewed seals, fluids, electrical components as required, repaired, rebuilt, resprayed and polished as required to successfully restore and enjoy. Have ridden 40,000 klm since the rebuild and it has never let me down. Ridden twice from Whyalla SA to Newcastle NSW over two days without any problems. Great trusty machine. The main reason for this post is to show the importance of proper lubrication and the result of no lubrication. Was shocked at the original wear on the drive spline due to NO lubrication, bone dry and rusting, and the minimum wear since proper lubrication applied during tyre changes. This is why I always bring the wheel to the bike shop and refit the wheel myself after lubricating the spline. Don't trust the bike shop to do it even if they say they did. The wear was already too great to not be sure it is lubricated each time. Use Molylube gear grease.
cheers, Hobs