spline pics

[willie]

I pulled the pumpkin off mine today just for peace of mind. Drive shaft splines looked great but there were no signs of having been relubed since the original assembly date 27 yrs ago. I lathered everything up with Honda moly grease and will reassemble it tomorrow.
I think Zook said it all when he said Murphy's Law will apply. My sentiments, exactly.
Good luck!
Willie in TN

 

[Grandpa]

Hi, I have owned a motorcycle business for 29 years, and I'm here to say, you have all kinds of life left in that set-up! I have seen WAY worse and they went on and on. When you assemble it, just be sure to grease it in good shape, I would not worry about it in the least.....Bob:lol:

Bull$hit. That piece in the picture is junk and should be replaced ASAP. It's dumb as hell to re-install it on a bike. The rate of wear will be accelerated as the splines become thinner.

Most inexpensive solution is to find on eBay a rear wheel off an early GS850G, (79 and 80), and use the spline set in the hub. The early spline sets last forever.

I know this for a fact. I used an early spline set on my GS1100GK for 100,000+ with no sign of wear. I used to remove it, check it, and lube it at every rear tire change.

You may have 29 years of experience in the motorcycle business, but I had 23 years and 270,000 miles on GS shafties. I know what I'm talking about, and if you think there's life left in that set of splines, you're totally wrong, and may do someone on this forum a great disservice.

 

[Redman]

Good that you pulled the adapter out of the wheel to inspect it.
Oh, and good photos also.

I would think you will not get much life left out of that, especailly if you ever ride out to Timbuckou, which is where I understand that these usally fail.

And a factor that hasnt been mentioned before is that that much wear then also involves a lot of drive train lash, and depending on your riding style that may or may not be too much of a concern as far as efffect on the bikes handling, .... but ... (as Brain mentioned) will also cause the rate of wear to accelerate.

Here is a picture of what I found when I got a 1100GK. It had a lot of drive train lash. This picture compares to a new one (that I got right away, before riding anymore).

 

[bwringer]

Good that you pulled the adapter out of the wheel to inspect it.
Oh, and good photos also.

I would think you will not get much life left out of that, especailly if you ever ride out to Timbuckou, which is where I understand that these usally fail.

And a factor that hasnt been mentioned before is that that much wear then also involves a lot of drive train lash, and depending on your riding style that may or may not be too much of a concern as far as efffect on the bikes handling, .... but ... (as Brain mentioned) will also cause the rate of wear to accelerate.

Here is a picture of what I found when I got a 1100GK. It had a lot of drive train lash. This picture compares to a new one (that I got right away, before riding anymore).

Those two photos say it all, Dave. :clap:

I've got one sitting on my shelf that looks just like that. We pulled it out of Al's '82 850GL at 24,000 miles. It was one hard launch into traffic away from vaporizing.

Note that the new spline adapter is silver in color, whereas the "soft" spline adapters are gold. The updated part is still in use on current models, so Suzuki isn't going to run out any time soon. And if you're patient (and cheap), there are dozens of models that used the updated part. It's not too hard to find a rear wheel on fleaBay or at your local bone yard, but for about $100 for a new one, it may not be worth your time and trouble to look far and wide for a used one.

 

[TheCafeKid]

Steve (Lurch) I can say from personal experience as well, having blown TWO of those splines on the same bike (my 1100G just like yours) within 15k miles of each other, that YOURS is riding on borrowed time. The fact that the leading edge of the teeth are pitted, chipped and broken should cause immediate alarm because, if you look at the teeth on the pumpkin, they probably look nothing like that. Id say ditch that sucker. I had an older style 'black" spline, but i sold it to another forum member that was in need, or I would have one to offer up.

 

[lurch12_2000]

.....
Anyway, maybe we can all place bets on when the splines will fail. Closest to the actual mileage wins all!

Bets up!!
Submit your mileage estimate as to when it fails and leaves me stranded. The closest without going over gets a phone call to come pick me up on the side of the road and brings a replacement to swap out. After, you'll get a home cooked meal and a cold drink of your choice and an hour of me whining about the cheap metal part they put in these powerful bikes!...any takers?

note: if it makes it past 50k then all you naysayers have to write apologies on the forum and promise to never say never again!...BTW I am still looking for a replacement spline before spring in case anyone has it or spots one at a good price. Otherwise the 1100E becomes my main ride. Nice to have choices, eh?
thanks

NOTE: WOULD A 198? GS650G HAVE THE SAME BLACK SPLINE TO FIT THE 1100G???

 

[tkent02]

Bets up!!
Submit your mileage estimate as to when it fails and leaves me stranded. The closest without going over gets a phone call to come pick me up on the side of the road and brings a replacement to swap out. After, you'll get a home cooked meal and a cold drink of your choice and an hour of me whining about the cheap metal part they put in these powerful bikes!...any takers?

note: if it makes it past 50k then all you naysayers have to write apologies on the forum and promise to never say never again!...BTW I am still looking for a replacement spline before spring in case anyone has it or spots one at a good price. Otherwise the 1100E becomes my main ride. Nice to have choices, eh?
thanks

NOTE: WOULD A 198? GS650G HAVE THE SAME BLACK SPLINE TO FIT THE 1100G???

some info left out...
Burnouts, wheelies, max speed runs or do you ride like a little old lady?
I know I could shred that puppy in a few minutes.

 

[Grandpa]

Bets up!!
note: if it makes it past 50k then all you naysayers have to write apologies on the forum and promise to never say never again!...

Lurch, there is absolutely no way the stock gold-colored splines will last 50,000 miles. No way in hell. I guarantee it.

On my 1982 GS850G it failed at 24,000. That was in 1987, on a Sunday morning at 7:30, in dead downtown Harrisonburg, VA, riding home from Boy Scout camp with my son. Long ordeal. Never again.

I replaced it with a new one, just like the original. 10,000 miles later it showed signs of wear, even after thoroughly lubing it. That's when I got an old-style black unit off a 79 850. That's the one on the GK when I sold it to TheCafeKid in August 08.

The black ones last forever. The gold ones suck. It's that simple.

I don't apologize for a damn thing, even in the highly unlikely (impossible, actually) event that this spline set will reach 50,000 miles.

 

[lurch12_2000]

Lurch, there is absolutely no way the stock gold-colored splines will last 50,000 miles. No way in hell. I guarantee it.

On my 1982 GS850G it failed at 24,000. That was in 1987, on a Sunday morning at 7:30, in dead downtown Harrisonburg, VA, riding home from Boy Scout camp with my son. Long ordeal. Never again.

I replaced it with a new one, just like the original. 10,000 miles later it showed signs of wear, even after thoroughly lubing it. That's when I got an old-style black unit off a 79 850. That's the one on the GK when I sold it to TheCafeKid in August 08.

The black ones last forever. The gold ones suck. It's that simple.

I don't apologize for a damn thing, even in the highly unlikely (impossible, actually) event that this spline set will reach 50,000 miles.

Before you all get too torqued up, I've been facetious about pushing it to 50k.
I'm still waiting to track down an old style(black) spline. In the mean time with 2 feet of snow on the ground and ice patches on the road, I won't be putting too many miles on my 1100G for now and have some time. I don't plan on any road trips other than some 35 mile commutes to work even if I get it out of the garage on a nice day.

...anyway, I'll repost my question "if a 650G shaftie spline would be an option?"....since I know of one sitting under snow in someone's backyard locally.
OK, I'LL ANSWER MY OWN QUESTION AFTER CHECKING ALPHA SPORTS PARTS FICHE....YES, THEY ARE THE SAME PART NUMBER FOR THE 1100G AND 650G,

 

[lurch12_2000]

some info left out...
Burnouts, wheelies, max speed runs or do you ride like a little old lady?
I know I could shred that puppy in a few minutes.

Well. I'm not LITTLE, nor OLD, or a LADY if that helps your guessing!

 

[TheCafeKid]

Before you all get too torqued up, I've been facetious about pushing it to 50k.
I'm still waiting to track down an old style(black) spline. In the mean time with 2 feet of snow on the ground and ice patches on the road, I won't be putting too many miles on my 1100G for now and have some time. I don't plan on any road trips other than some 35 mile commutes to work even if I get it out of the garage on a nice day.

...anyway, I'll repost my question "if a 650G shaftie spline would be an option?"....since I know of one sitting under snow in someone's backyard locally.
OK, I'LL ANSWER MY OWN QUESTION AFTER CHECKING ALPHA SPORTS PARTS FICHE....YES, THEY ARE THE SAME PART NUMBER FOR THE 1100G AND 650G,

Double check that again my friend. I KNOW for a fact that the rear ends of the 650s are NOT the same as the 850s/1000s/1100s. Im not saying the SPLINE isnt the same, cos ive never compared them, but the pumpkins are NOT the same.

 

[duaneage]

having handled wheel splines for both a 650G adn an 850G I'd say they are the same. True, the pumpkins are different but not the splines.

Get a spline from a bike made in 1981 or earlier. Allegedly these are made from stronger material. Mine has no appreciable wear after 24 k at all.

Someone remarked that his splines had a lot of life in them. No way. The teeth were half eaten already. Not only is this spline bad, it could wreak havoc with the drive side on the differential. Then your talking more parts.

Also, if the spline fails when you need power to get away from something you have had it. Never run a motorcycle with marginal parts or known service issues.

 

[TheCafeKid]

having handled wheel splines for both a 650G adn an 850G I'd say they are the same. True, the pumpkins are different but not the splines.

Get a spline from a bike made in 1981 or earlier. Allegedly these are made from stronger material. Mine has no appreciable wear after 24 k at all.

Someone remarked that his splines had a lot of life in them. No way. The teeth were half eaten already. Not only is this spline bad, it could wreak havoc with the drive side on the differential. Then your talking more parts.

Also, if the spline fails when you need power to get away from something you have had it. Never run a motorcycle with marginal parts or known service issues.

Wholeheartedly agreed. One of my favorite quotes on here was from Brian Wringer. Something to the effect of "Motorcycles are like airplanes. When something fails on them, it usually has catastrophic results." Something like that anyway...

 

[duaneage]

I've used the airplane analogy for years. I torque bolts with a torque wrench, inspect the bike weekly for issues, and when I had brake problems I parked it until I could properly fix it. You can't always pull over and call when there is a problem and motorcycle tows are VERY expensive. You take your life in your own hands when you ride.

I have two drive wheels for mine and both have 1981 drive splines on them. One has over 30K and the teeth are perfect.

 

[lurch12_2000]

having handled wheel splines for both a 650G adn an 850G I'd say they are the same. True, the pumpkins are different but not the splines.

Get a spline from a bike made in 1981 or earlier. Allegedly these are made from stronger material. Mine has no appreciable wear after 24 k at all.

Someone remarked that his splines had a lot of life in them. No way. The teeth were half eaten already. Not only is this spline bad, it could wreak havoc with the drive side on the differential. Then your talking more parts.

Also, if the spline fails when you need power to get away from something you have had it. Never run a motorcycle with marginal parts or known service issues.

You're saying that this would should have the good spline to fit mine?
http://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/1003632941.html

 

[Grandpa]

No, Lurch. The 850 in the picture is not an 81. That's an 82 or 83. I can tell because of the wheels, the pinstripe design on the fuel tank, and the side cover. If you get the spline set off that, you'll be wasting your time and money.

 

[lurch12_2000]

No, Lurch. The 850 in the picture is not an 81. That's an 82 or 83. I can tell because of the wheels, the pinstripe design on the fuel tank, and the side cover. If you get the spline set off that, you'll be wasting your time and money.

OK, thanks for the heads up.
I may check for other usable spare parts for my 1100G if an 82-83 850G bike is interchangeable?

 

[Grandpa]

Lurch, the number of interchangeable parts between a 1982 GS1100GZ and a 1982 GS850GZ is overwhelming.

Not interchangeable is the stator, and, of course, internal engine parts such as pistons and rings. Most body parts are totally interchangeable.

Good luck to you.

 

[duaneage]

I'd grab that 850 for around 50 dollars and part it out. Lots of goodies there.

 

[bwringer]

You're saying that this would should have the good spline to fit mine?
http://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/1003632941.html

The paint pattern makes that an '82 GS850G.

There are lots of good parts that will interchange to your 1100G (everything except the engine, pretty much), but the spline unit is one of the "soft" ones, unless someone changed it long ago.

Not all 1981 models came with the older harder splines. I have a "soft" spline unit sitting on my shelf that came from a 1981 850GL with low miles. It's showing some wear, so I just keep it around in case someone I know needs to limp home.