Project "as the wallet thins"

[deanbw]

You my know I've been working on this 86 I bought a while back. Now when I bought it I knew it would need work here and there. I don't mind fixing different things up, bikes, boats, tractors whatever. I have to say the bikes have been the most ill maintained of anything I've done. I took the rear wheel off today.....I know you would have to have the energy to get off the couch and spend a whole hour greasing the rear drive splines but really, do people think these things just take care of themselves?
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the best flange I found was an 85 and perfect, so I bought the 85 wheel as well,all good, it was much nicer then mine anyway, saved me having to glass bead, sand ( to grain rim and spokes) paint and clear coat mine.
I got a real nice diff. as well, at least some people took care of them so there are good parts out there.

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ahhh crap put it in the wrong place....

[bs175dths]

Now, I know you stated you bought the 1/2 differential, the flange and the rear wheel, hopefully all the same year. My understanding is the flange and wheel from the 1984-85 will not interchange with the 1986-87. I haven't seen this first hand, it is just what I have read. I would think, if the 1/2 differential, wheel and flange are all from the same year, 1985 parts would work on a 1987.
My flange and 1/2 differential teeth are in good shape even after 145,000 miles. The original owner took good care of his bike and I am following in his footsteps. I will need to replace my rear wheel soon as the steel tubes encased in the cushion drive are showing thin walls on the forward, contact side.
In my situation, I buy a rear tire which needs to be replaced at about the time the maintenance schedule requires the rear splines and teeth to be dressed with Moly 60. Since the rear wheel needs to come off to do the maintenance, I might as well change the tire too, right?
Do your research, do your reading, eliminate or at least minimize buying parts which don't fit, slows the thinning wallet.
My bike is on its third pair of head gaskets, third water pump, second thermostat, second fuel pump, second front, main oil seal and second cam oil seals and the engine still gives me an average of 43 miles per gallon.
These GL1200s are well worth the effort we put into them.
Good Luck.
-Ride On

[deanbw]

yes you are correct 84-5 are different from 86-7, the hub diameter is different and early ones have a longer hub on the drive flange. if you were stuck in the desert on a 84-5 and only drive flange was a 86-7 you could get home, its not right but you could get home. the other way, no luck your buzzard food. Moly 60 is the stuff to use for sure.
If you ever need to replace drive, drive flange, be careful, I have seen 86 bikes with 84-5 drive flanges and wheels so when a guy sells them not knowing the difference he will call an 84-5 flange an 86 because he took it off an 86. Just remember all rear ends (differential) will work, 84-5 flange has hub about 1-1/4 inch long 86-7 shorter about 5/8 long. 84-5 wheel turned o/d on hub about 1-1/2long to match longer hub on flange, 86-7 only turned about 5/8 and larger diameter than 84-5.