CALLING ON ANY INFOFROM ANY STRETCHED SHAFTIES!!!!

ok guys, decided what route i wanna go on my 82 spectre 1100, im gonna stretch it, and hardtail the frame. No i dont mean just replace the shocks with struts, i mean i true hrdtail that the final drive sits in that just happens to have a shaft drive, just curious how long i can safely go.now the way i plan on doing this is the way a shop over in europe has been doing it for yrs... heres what i got from them

"Hi Brian
The proper way would be to cut off the front & back ends of the shaft that you want to use, leaving about 2" of stub on each end.
Get a bit of good steel (chrome moly works) of larger dia - say 1" - of the right length, machine the ends to accept the stubs with a press fit, press together and TIG weld.
Its good if you can arrange it so the weld goes round a larger diameter part of the stubs than the main shaft diameter - where it flares out.
Hope this helps
Briz"

now i was thinking about a 10 to 12 inch stretch, but has anybody else ever went this far?

My brother has had it done on cars to splice in a new drive axle, but I haven't seen it done on a bike. I don't imagine it's that different. I know a good machine show will then put it on a lathe to make sure it's balanced properly, but other than that, I wouldn't know any more.
Being that I have a shaft drive myself, I'm looking forward to reading what others have to say.

Oh, and did you never get the micrometer to check the dimensions you posted about in your other thread?

Not really needing a micrometer, just a chance to pull the axle and get the length and diameter.

My only advice would be to watch your driveshaft angle very closely when your doing the hardtail conversion. Im having problems with mine now because it is just a hair unlevel and is clunking like crazy... Not good

hey 82, did you stretch it at all, and can you get me a cpl pics of the setup you have running?

The operating angle of drive-line U-Joints will let the shaft work at up to 3 degrees. That's the difference between the output of the Power from Engine/ Transmission, and the center of the Shaft tube. then again on the Output of the Shaft tube to the Differential/ final drive. Balance after shorting, as well as straight and true, with good U-Joints/ not binding, is needed.
So with the hard tail, shaft just UN-level: Is the operating angle of either end, U-joint, over three degrees?
have a look at any rear wheel drive Car or Truck. Look at a 4x4 Jeep, Stock of course not lifted, and see how the drive-line angles are.

You have picked one of the best to ask , Briz is one of the most knowledgeable builders out there and because he has done most everything that can be done to a motorcycle it's based on practical experience .

Any help we can offer just email Kate . Red

No it is not stretched at all. I just switched the stock springs with rigid struts and they are about 9". Im not sure if the shaft has exceeded 3 degrees but I bet that is the problem. Although i have seen other builds online that seem to also exceed the 3 degree rule and they have no problem...

lambert II wrote: hey 82, did you stretch it at all, and can you get me a cpl pics of the setup you have running?

Ill post pics of it as soon as i can get them uploaded