Author Topic: Greasing splines  (Read 1912 times)

Online nwguy

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Greasing splines
« on: June 02, 2025, 12:32:19 PM »
Still going through my 99 Bassa with 66k miles, now with the rear wheel removed for cleaning and bearing replacement. While the wheel's off I understand I should grease certain splines. Am I correct, after cleaning things, I should grease the splines shown in the pics below? Wheel bearing grease OK?

Based on comments in this thread:

https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=78660.0

I should also, ideally remove the swingarm to inspect the cardan joint and grease the swingarm bearings. I've been reading the manual I have and it looks like a significant job with special tools. Am I wrong about this?





1999 Moto Guzzi Bassa, 06 Yamaha Morphous

Past: 2020 Husky Svartpilen, 08 Norge, 07 Burgman, 3 Buell Lightnings, 02 BMW R1150RS, 05 Ducati Multistrada, Kawasaki Concours, Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic, 02 Honda ST110, Aprilia Falco, Suzuki VX800, Yamaha Radian, Suzuki TS185, Yamaha RD400

Online pehayes

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Re: Greasing splines
« Reply #1 on: June 02, 2025, 04:31:37 PM »
Yes and yes.
Sparingly on the wheel spline or it will fling up on the wheel.
More liberal on the drive shaft inside the swing arm.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

Offline moto-uno

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Re: Greasing splines
« Reply #2 on: June 02, 2025, 04:38:23 PM »
  I tend to grease the rear wheel and drive shaft splines every time I remove the rear wheel , so I'm not looking for some magical life time lube ( in other words almost any high pressure grease is fine) . Lubing the swingarm is another matter , wheel off , I then remove the 2 lower frame bolts and nuts (2 on each side) , this allows easier removal of the swingarm assembly (shocks will require removal from swingarm) . Mark each swingarm nut . Remove the plastic caps from each nut , under them is a allen bolt receptacle , then crack the locking nut and continue to unscrew it with the allen key , this will allow you to correctly position the swingarm when reassembling . Might be a good idea to have a new boot handy and to soak the inside of the frame around the swingarm bolts with WD40 before undoing them ! Good Luck .

Online Kiwi_Roy

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Re: Greasing splines
« Reply #3 on: June 02, 2025, 05:36:07 PM »
Make sure the boot is clamped evenly, the one on my V7III was held in place by a Q strap which is totally inadequate, water sprayed up from the front wheel would hit the boot right where the tail goes through the ratchet and enter the shaft tunnel, causing the splines to rust and level in rear pumpkin to be over fill.
I found a better worm drive clip that seems to have resolved that problem.
17 V7III Special
76 Convert

Moto Guzzi - making electricians out of riders since March 15 1921

Offline bronzestar1

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Re: Greasing splines
« Reply #4 on: June 02, 2025, 10:15:02 PM »
Just as with different colors of coolant, I seem to remember there being different colors of grease as well.  I usually have some dark green grease for general purpose use, but I also have a tub of a reddish-pink color grease, which I think is what can be used on the splines and other parts of the shaft drive.  I miss that about my old '95 1100 Sport, it had an exposed drive shaft with grease fittings for the u-joints at the front and back. 

Offline SIR REAL ED

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Re: Greasing splines
« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2025, 10:33:09 AM »
Just as with different colors of coolant, I seem to remember there being different colors of grease as well.  I usually have some dark green grease for general purpose use, but I also have a tub of a reddish-pink color grease, which I think is what can be used on the splines and other parts of the shaft drive.  I miss that about my old '95 1100 Sport, it had an exposed drive shaft with grease fittings for the u-joints at the front and back.

One should NEVER underestimate the importance of color co-ordination when it comes to lubricants!!
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1994, 2001, & 2002 MZ Skorpions

Online nwguy

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Re: Greasing splines
« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2025, 01:47:16 PM »
One should NEVER underestimate the importance of color co-ordination when it comes to lubricants!!

My new Chinese wheel bearings had blue grease.
1999 Moto Guzzi Bassa, 06 Yamaha Morphous

Past: 2020 Husky Svartpilen, 08 Norge, 07 Burgman, 3 Buell Lightnings, 02 BMW R1150RS, 05 Ducati Multistrada, Kawasaki Concours, Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic, 02 Honda ST110, Aprilia Falco, Suzuki VX800, Yamaha Radian, Suzuki TS185, Yamaha RD400

Offline moto-uno

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Re: Greasing splines
« Reply #7 on: June 03, 2025, 02:51:34 PM »
  And I guess I should've mentioned to clean the old grease out before using new grease . All those little wear bits stay in the grease .

Offline SIR REAL ED

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Re: Greasing splines
« Reply #8 on: June 03, 2025, 05:47:14 PM »
My new Chinese wheel bearings had blue grease.

Does it match the paint?
2019 Beta EVO 250
1999 Suzuki DR 650 w/790cc kit
1994, 2001, & 2002 MZ Skorpions

 

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