NEW MEMBER ...HONDA TRANSALP ADVICE MORE DAFT QUESTIONS

[detainer]

further to my recent plea for advice re Honda Transalp.
Can anyone tell me more about worn output shaft problems. I've been reading about?

How common is this on the Transalp?
From what I've been able to find out it's the ''Kiss of Death'' if the splines wear out.
A .. is this correct?
B .. is it a common thing on all engines, 600 / 650 & 700 ?
C .. is there any way to check without removing part of the engine
casing or any warning noises related to this?
D .. At what sort of mileage is this likely to occur and if it does is there a cost effective way to sort it out without applying for a new mortgage?
I cant see any dealer being keen on me stripping bits of his bike to check that or any private seller either come to that.

Maybe I'm a bit paranoid having read about this.????
I bought my last Alp NEW over 20 years ago and never even considered something like this.

Once again, many thanks for any advice / reassurances anyone can offer.

[yen_powell]

I've only had Africa Twins rather than Transalps, but as far as I am concerned it is the same basic engine.

I have just sold a 101,000 mile non runner and the splines were perfect. However, it did have the output bearing go not long after I bought it secondhand at 25,000 miles, which I had replaced, engine totally apart job. This I think was due to it being dealer serviced before I got it, they run the chains way too tight, they need to be slacker than Honda say. The output shaft itself was still fine when the bearing was replaced and I checked the splines before selling it a few weeks ago and they were still perfect.

I also had an Africa Twin from new to 130,000 miles, again, output shaft was perfect as was the bearing, this time home serviced with what I consider the correct amount of free play the whole time. Average chain life before changing was about 30-35,000 miles.

Before that I had an Africa Twin that I ran to about 55,000 miles, again no problems.

I used decent sprockets (Sunstar were my favourite) and DID x-ring chains. Some people say only Honda sprockets save the shaft, I only ever had them on the original chain set up, never bought them after that, so I don't agree with that point of view.

If the splines are good, you need to pull the sprocket off to check where it actually sits in use, then look after the chain as you should and it'll be fine I reckon. On the AT it's cover off and two small bolts hold the sprocket on. They are not tight, easy to remove with a small ractchet or spanner. You might need a second pair of hands to put it back against the pull of the chain if you don't slacken that off first.
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[MarJay]

I doubt you'd need to strip the bike down. If the splines are worn then there will be movement on the front sprocket that should not be there. You may be able to determine that without removing any parts.

I've been aware of this engine design for years, it's in tonnes of Hondas. The Bros 400 and 650, the original Africa Twin and the Transalp. I've never heard of this issue being a big deal, but then again I'm no expert.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.