Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Play In Rear Hub Assembly Normal?

There is some play in the rear hub where the sprocket assembly meets the rim when I release the clutch in first gear take off. Is this normal or is the relationship supposed to be solid. There is a slight clunk when it grabs too if you release the clutch quickly.

It is rubber mounted in the rear hub.it sounds like that is what you are seeing.Even the old triumph`s were set up this way.

After searching around the site some more, it is called the "cush drive" and it has some normal play. My chain is really loose (to me anyway) but the dealer said it is O.K. to wait until the 500 mile service to address it. The chain flexes over 1" on the top and botton side and may be some of the problem so maybe I will tighten the thing anyway.

There should be some play with the cush drive but thoughout the life of your bike it will increase. I changed mine the first time at about 23000 miles. I was changing sprockets and chain so I bought a new cush drive. I had quite a bit of play and the cush drive was very worn. If I remember right, it is approx $70+. I think Moe is on his second cush drive at 31000 miles. Just keep an eye on it. More importantly, watch the tension of your chain. Keep it tightened to specification or you will wear through it quicker. At 23000 miles, I could tighten it no further without removing links.

Loosend,
There should be some give here like everyone says, but at 35,000 miles, mine is almost sloppy. I had a Honda 65 back when Eisenhower was a sargent, and after many wheelies trying to impress girls I stripped out my cush (rear bushings is what the mechanic called them) and tore through the metal vanes in my rear hub. The mechanic at the shop knew exactly how it happened and told me that since I'd ripped out my bushings, second gear was going out next. It did. I had to shift from first to third from then on. Remember, if that cush strips out under load, you will ruin your rear hub. My little Honda 65 got new bushings in a stripped hub. It worked, but we're talking micro torque, not big horsepower.
Thanks Paul, for letting me know the price of a new cush. I was worried it would be $200 judging from other T parts.
Next time I ride to Gulf Shores, I'd love to swing over your way (FtWalton area?) so you and BackPorch can show me the good roads around there. God knows I love Alabama's and Florida's squeaky white sand and coastline. Love to see just how shiny Jay's T100 is.
Ride Safe Everyone,
Dennis

Loosend,
I guess you can save some money or delay replacement by doing this with auto glass urethane adhesive:
"http://www.kzrider.com/cushdrive_shockdamper_repair.shtml"
I doubt if I'll try it now, maybe after this replacement.
Subsequent tire changes would be a time to inspect and repair with this stuff accordingly.
Apparently, you just apply this stuff in any cracks and smear some on the outside where there is loose fit, allow to cure over night then take a grinder and trim to fit the next day. Sound like a fix to me.
Dennis
p.s. my cush is sore!

Well, I adjusted my chain to the proper tension and took it for a ride and it is a different bike. The clunking and bucking when rolling in first gear and giving it some throttle went away. Thanks for the replys everyone.