Jinksy4

First of all, thanks to everyone, especially George and Ponch for the help and pictures. I missed the information in the manual for balancing the tires with the rotors on and will torque them back on. Do you just use a criss-cross pattern for torquing? It sounds like not many folks have had this problem with removing the drive shaft from the gear coupling. It took a huge pulling effort along with trying to break the side of the seal from the internal gear coupling wall with a pick to finally get the shaft to come out. The manual is not very clear about whether or not a seal goes on the drive shaft at the gear coupling end either. The references you folks provided showed it with a seal and without – very confusing. I suppose the fluid in the gear coupling behind the seal on the drive shaft could have been old spline grease, but it looked like dirty rear end grease and was runny. (see pictures) Also, do you add moly60 grease to drive shaft splines that engage the gear coupling or not? Ponch's experience says that it is bathed in differential lubricant. I have attached pictures of the failed seal on the drive shaft. Thanks again for the help. Jinksy

First of all, I'm not much of mechanic but have been studying everyone's experience and decided to get give it a shot. Today I pulled the differential on my 2000 RSV after I removed the wheels to install my new Avons. That went pretty well using my new Carbon One adaptor and everyone's advice. But then, had a horrible time getting the drive shaft out of the differential. Ended up destroying the seal to get it off. Now, am struggling to get the rest of the seal off the shaft - have it soaking in some carb cleaner right now. Also, it appeared that the output end of the drive shaft (part that goes inside the pumkin after the seal) is lubed by rear end grease. Couple questions: Is there a better way to get that seal off the drive shaft? Why do you grease the output end of the drive shaft if it is bathed in differential grease? What do you have to leave on the rear wheel for the shop to install the new tire and balance? I have removed the disk brake rotors on all the wheels to protect them. (Found that a shot of WD40 on all the bolts as well as a slight tap with the ball peen hammer on the head of the bolt allowed them to be extracted pretty easy.) I have purchased some Honda Moly60 to grease everything when reassembling. Thanks in advance, Jinksy

Puchased the Harbor Freight Motorcycle lift, rated at 1500#, today and tried it out with the Carbon One adapter. The url for the lift= http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=2792 I had to pay $75 for the lift but it is worth it. The design is sturdy and the two step release to lower the bike works great - kinda odd because you have to press all the way down on the release lever to get it to lower slowly - normally you would think it would go faster all the way down - or maybe it is just me. Of course the adaptor worked just like everyone has stated before - perfect. The combination allows the task to be a solo adventure with no worries - just go slowly when lifting and allow the bike to stabilize before raising off the floor. I'm a satisfied customer. Jinksy

Thoughts and prayers are with you and yours!

Got the fairling split and removed the amp, cleaned and greased the connections to the new used amp and those on the bike, put in new amp, and changed the headlight bulb to a new Sylvania Silverstar Ultra. Put the other good ideas on hold - weather is too good. The down side is that now all the radio functions work with the CB, but do not have cassette or CD funtions. The cassette tried to work then hung up and ate the tape - can't get it out. The CD turns on and makes noise in the unit but nothing out the speakers. Am getting a cord today to test my ipod shuffle on the Aux setting. I tried a new handlebar remote controller - which came with the bike - but it made no difference, as well as cycling all the connections. Any ideas? Jinksy

Thanks for the idea!

Whines like my Harley riding brother (bike is OK, he' got problems)- got the amp today - put it on tomorrow.

Thanks for the input - really do need to do something with the headlight bulb - it is not very powerful. I think I'm going to switch out the windshield - the shorty isn't much protection and just beats the heck out of the passenger.

Thanks for the headsup - but already tried selecting "sp" and "hs" - same results. I think the audio system is FOS.

Hey Folks, First of all, I'm new here, and am very impressed with all the information that is available and of the family atmosphere that is evident in all the conversations I've read. I'm glad I found this site and look forward to getting to know some of you. Been riding for many years but never did much of the wrenching on my bikes but now have some extra time and look forward to learning how. Read in some older posts about the many problems the RSV has with the audio system and made the decision to replace the amp. My audio problems: 1. radio comes out of rear speakers only - have to listen close with engine off to even hear it 2. CB works and has voume control 3. CD, aux, and cassette tape do not work at all - and are not even recognized 4. there is no volume control for radio, but can hear the beeps for each volume selection on the front speakers - it does shut off the volume at the lowest setting. 5. have split faring and cleaned all the connectors and put dielectric grease on them - when exercising the connectors I can make the radio work with a louder volume coming out of the front speakers until the key is shut off - then it returns to just faintly coming out of the rear speakers. Should receive my new used radio amp in the next couple days and look forward to installing in my 2000 RSV to see if that fixes the problems. But I digress. My question for you all is what other maintenance or improvements should I consider doing while I have the faring split with the radio amp out? Give me some pointers or some past experience. Keep in mind - just purchased this bike with 5000 miles on it in early September. I changed the oil and rear tire and put 7000 more miles on it during September. It is stock except for the windshield, passing lamps, and mufflers. I purchased it knowing about the audio problem. Thanks in advance, Jinksy

Have grandkids in Vegas. We stay at the Suncoast Hotel and Casino. It is an older hotel about 8 miles north of downtown that is clean and inexpensive. They may even be offering end of year specials soon - which can be up to 50% off normal rates.

Got to admit that I did not wear a helmet often because my 98 RS had a full windshield, but just got a 2000 RSV and it came with a shorty windshield - which I don't appreciate - and it got me to start wearing my 3/4 with faceshield just for the comfort. Have to say that not wearing one is not a wise choice - which seems to fit my personality.