75' GL1000 U-joint maintenance

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redglbx
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Re: 75' GL1000 U-joint maintenance

#16

Post by redglbx »

On the grease zerk on the swingarm, thinking that it lubes anything is pure myth. If you pull it apart you’ll see a shield that directs any grease pumped through that zerk onto the shaft itself, not on the splines at all which is why you have to take things all apart & manually lube them.

I believe that the addition of the zerk starting in 76 was nothing more than a marketing deal. Honda durability testing of the 75 models must have showed a potential for spline wear which is fretting where the splines look rusted is actually fretting which is the result of vibration between the mating parts. Greasing things dampens & lubricates the vibration between those parts.

Do not believe that because you squirted grease in that zerk that you are good to go, it does nothing, zero, zip, nada !
Red 1976 oe owner
1976 LTD restored
1980 CBX , in the que, to fix the ignorant heavy handed owner
1981 CBX
1977 CB750 K7
2014 FJR OE owner, sold
1980 GL1100
1984 GL1200 naked
1969 CL350, in the que
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dontwantapickle
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Re: 75' GL1000 U-joint maintenance

#17

Post by dontwantapickle »

^ 100% correct.
That zerk does nothing.
Prospect
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Re: 75' GL1000 U-joint maintenance

#18

Post by Prospect »

I decided to do it right. I took the final drive apart again and used the correct grease this time. It was a huge pain getting that circling near the u-joint back on again. I’m glad I’m done.
Current Bikes
1969 CB750 Sandcast
1971 CB750K1
1972 CB750K1
1975 CB400F
1975 GL1000 Goldwing
1954 Harley Davidson Panhead
1957 Harley Davidson Panhead
redglbx
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Re: 75' GL1000 U-joint maintenance

#19

Post by redglbx »

The Honda moly grease is all I use, just one of those things that works for me.
Red 1976 oe owner
1976 LTD restored
1980 CBX , in the que, to fix the ignorant heavy handed owner
1981 CBX
1977 CB750 K7
2014 FJR OE owner, sold
1980 GL1100
1984 GL1200 naked
1969 CL350, in the que
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: 75' GL1000 U-joint maintenance

#20

Post by Sidecar Bob »

Not wanting to argue but I figure it is best to use what the FSM recommends, which is lithium grease with molybdenum additive.
Honda may actually sell a product like that but most of the results I can find on Google for "Honda moly grease" are Honda M-77 Assembly Paste which is exactly that: a paste used to ease assembly of parts and provide at least some protection until the real lubricant (e.g. motor oil) reaches them, not a long term lubricant.

If the recommended Moly-Lith grease is used and the correct assembly procedure is followed to ensure correct alignment between the wheel and final drive splines (and the o-rings and boot are in good condition so that dirt can't mix with the grease) the splines should last a looooooong time.

Any time you have the rear wheel off you should loosen the final drive nuts and re-tighten everything in this order:
1) axle nut (this will pull the wheel and final drive splines into alignment)
2) pinch bolt in left side of swingarm (if you do this before the axle nut you will pull the ends of the swingarm together when you tighten the axle nut)
3) final drive nuts
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
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Prospect
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Re: 75' GL1000 U-joint maintenance

#21

Post by Prospect »

Thanks for all the replies last year. I finally have the gl1000 on the road. A lot of work went into it and this was my first ride. Yes, the front brake is off. I rebuilt the u-joint, brakes, new tires and rebuilt the carbs using all new parts. Bike runs perfect.
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Current Bikes
1969 CB750 Sandcast
1971 CB750K1
1972 CB750K1
1975 CB400F
1975 GL1000 Goldwing
1954 Harley Davidson Panhead
1957 Harley Davidson Panhead
redglbx
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Posts: 1116
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2020 8:39 am
Location: NW Indiana,

Re: 75' GL1000 U-joint maintenance

#22

Post by redglbx »

These are just magical bikes when they’re running right, just an effortless ride ! I would assume that you’re going to rebuild and install the front brakes as the rear by itself isn’t all that effective. Good job!
Red 1976 oe owner
1976 LTD restored
1980 CBX , in the que, to fix the ignorant heavy handed owner
1981 CBX
1977 CB750 K7
2014 FJR OE owner, sold
1980 GL1100
1984 GL1200 naked
1969 CL350, in the que
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