Rear drive shaft free play level

[billington92]

I had my annual vehicle inspection today on my R1150R (2004). The tester noted that the rear drive shaft had a slight play. He explained that he did not know whether the amount of play was normal for this type of bike, hence he passed the bike on the test.

The bike has done 15,000 miles and I can not feel any play at the rear wheel or drive shaft. Is a little free play there by design? What is normal?

[NoRRmad]

I doubt that the inspector had any way of actually checking the drive shaft. He probably just grabbed the rear wheel with the bike on the center stand and in gear, and noted how much he could move the wheel. That's a useful test on chain bikes; tells you if you need to crank the rear wheel back a bit, or if the chain's too tight. I don't think it's really relevant on a shaft bike.

But I do think that total driveline 'lash' would increase as the clutch splines wore out.

[boxermania]

NoRRmad 1+

Final drives have gears that operate at 90 degrees from each other, part of the design is bearing clearance and gear clerance usually referred to as backlash. Dermination as to the health/wear of these components require both skill (experience) and a slew of critical measurements.

Get a second opinion.....with the mileage shown, if you have any problems it would be one of the exceptions......