VN1500 Rear wheel locked up,

robr10 · 02-01-2014, 05:52 PM

Hi All, hope this finds you all well, I am Hoping you guys can throw some ideas, suggestions at me, My brother has donated his VN to me today, its a 2003 Classic which is great, The reason though is, the rear wheel locked up when entering a round about, When he came off he said the engine was still running while the bike was on its side, it then died (flooded I hope), Well at the moment the rear wheel wont move at all, The gears seem to be changing ok, no oil leak anywhere, I removed the rear brake in case it was that but it wasn't.
I am charging the battery at the moment so I can see if the engine will crank, though he has said when he finally had the picked up by a recovery van and dropped home it wouldn't, Any idea what the problem/s could be?
Thanks All, My bro is ok as well, very slow fall.

duffy · 02-01-2014, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robr10

Hi All, hope this finds you all well, I am Hoping you guys can throw some ideas, suggestions at me, My brother has donated his VN to me today, its a 2003 Classic which is great, The reason though is, the rear wheel locked up when entering a round about, When he came off he said the engine was still running while the bike was on its side, it then died (flooded I hope), Well at the moment the rear wheel wont move at all, The gears seem to be changing ok, no oil leak anywhere, I removed the rear brake in case it was that but it wasn't.
I am charging the battery at the moment so I can see if the engine will crank, though he has said when he finally had the picked up by a recovery van and dropped home it wouldn't, Any idea what the problem/s could be?
Thanks All, My bro is ok as well, very slow fall.

The engine probably died because of the tip-over sensor (just forward of the battery if my memory servers me right). Rear wheel locked up could have several causes. Put it in neutral and see if the wheel turns. If not then it's probably drive train related. If it turns then it's probably in the transmission. Just some where to start...................

gtxr · 02-01-2014, 09:36 PM

How many miles are on it?? One of two things come to mind.. The bevel gear assembly and bearing let go causing the drive shaft to lock up.. Or the u-joint in the drive shaft let go causing the rear wheel to lock up.. Does it Roll buy being pushed? I would pull the rear wheel final drive and swing arm and check all of the above.. If it was just the drive shaft it might be a cheap easy fix with a new one from ebay etc.. If it was the Bevel gear assembly gears/bearings etc.. Could be pricey. Let us know.
I just recently completed a bevel gear case complete rebuild with all new bearings and shims etc.. As well as replacing the drive shaft from PO that let the ujoint get so bad it destroyed the drive shaft yokes etc..

Let us know. and Good luck

Silent Sam · 02-02-2014, 04:04 PM

..Rear wheel locked in a "traffic circle"...as the bike lay on it's side the engine died..

????? How many miles is on the bike ? ..when was the drive shaft last inspected..rear lube housing checked ?...yea, will it "roll" when pushed ?

..So far from the available info --It seems perhaps the U-Joint Failed..or even a transmission issue ?

...If you discover it's a U-Joint failure.....order the replacement "front-u-joint" from AMAZON.COM --For the 2002 Kawasaki Prairie 4X4... (it come's with a grease zerk)..then use a 1 inch hole saw, to cut a hole in the swing arm/drive line housing -right in line with the u-joint- as it turns on the drive shaft..at about the 7 o:clock (outside position)...the rubber boot wil cover aprox 90% of the hole..and a one inch rubber/plastic, firewall plug can be used if perferred !
The u-joint w/grease zerk..will cost around $30...a new drive shaft from Kawk Inc...will cost close to $300 ...and will not have a grease zerk !

gtxr · 02-03-2014, 11:17 PM

So what the verdict? What did you find? :)

muz · 02-03-2014, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent Sam

..Rear wheel locked in a "traffic circle"...as the bike lay on it's side the engine died..

????? How many miles is on the bike ? ..when was the drive shaft last inspected..rear lube housing checked ?...yea, will it "roll" when pushed ?

..So far from the available info --It seems perhaps the U-Joint Failed..or even a transmission issue ?

...If you discover it's a U-Joint failure.....order the replacement "front-u-joint" from AMAZON.COM --For the 2002 Kawasaki Prairie 4X4... (it come's with a grease zerk)..then use a 1 inch hole saw, to cut a hole in the swing arm/drive line housing -right in line with the u-joint- as it turns on the drive shaft..at about the 7 o:clock (outside position)...the rubber boot wil cover aprox 90% of the hole..and a one inch rubber/plastic, firewall plug can be used if perferred !
The u-joint w/grease zerk..will cost around $30...a new drive shaft from Kawk Inc...will cost close to $300 ...and will not have a grease zerk !

Grease zerk, lol. we call em grease nipples over here

**cnc** · 02-04-2014, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muz

Grease zerk, lol. we call em grease nipples over here

We mostly call them nipples up here in Canada as well. Zerk is a brand name for them.

muz · 02-04-2014, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnc

We mostly call them nipples up here in Canada as well. Zerk is a brand name for them.

Oic

**Top Cat** · 02-04-2014, 10:34 AM

I have always heard them called Zerk fittings.

Silent Sam · 02-04-2014, 05:23 PM

...I Like "NIPPLES" BETTER ! ; > 0

But I do come from a long line of "Torries"

Jllm02199 · 02-06-2014, 09:59 AM

I just call them grease fittings.

roadhawg · 02-06-2014, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent Sam

..Rear wheel locked in a "traffic circle"...as the bike lay on it's side the engine died..

????? How many miles is on the bike ? ..when was the drive shaft last inspected..rear lube housing checked ?...yea, will it "roll" when pushed ?

..So far from the available info --It seems perhaps the U-Joint Failed..or even a transmission issue ?

...If you discover it's a U-Joint failure.....order the replacement "front-u-joint" from AMAZON.COM --For the 2002 Kawasaki Prairie 4X4... (it come's with a grease zerk)..then use a 1 inch hole saw, to cut a hole in the swing arm/drive line housing -right in line with the u-joint- as it turns on the drive shaft..at about the 7 o:clock (outside position)...the rubber boot wil cover aprox 90% of the hole..and a one inch rubber/plastic, firewall plug can be used if perferred !
The u-joint w/grease zerk..will cost around $30...a new drive shaft from Kawk Inc...will cost close to $300 ...and will not have a grease zerk !

Very good info!
A U joint for 30 bucks. I would think they would be much more $?
IMO a U joint should last forever, as long as the rubber boot does not go bad and crack and or come loose, and let sand and dirt inside.

**ringadingh** · 02-06-2014, 01:20 PM

Check our Tech section, we have some part numbers for them listed there.

Silent Sam · 02-10-2014, 06:12 PM

...My U-Joint was working fine at aprox 20,000 miles..When I modified the swing arm to install a grease zerk..I just swapped the new u-joint in...as a "precaution" !

(As for the greasable swing-arm bearing's...study that modification very carefully befor doing it, or it will not "feed-grease" to the swing-arm bearing's properly)

02-01-2014, 05:52 PM	#1
robr10 Jr. Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 1	VN1500 Rear wheel locked up, Hi All, hope this finds you all well, I am Hoping you guys can throw some ideas, suggestions at me, My brother has donated his VN to me today, its a 2003 Classic which is great, The reason though is, the rear wheel locked up when entering a round about, When he came off he said the engine was still running while the bike was on its side, it then died (flooded I hope), Well at the moment the rear wheel wont move at all, The gears seem to be changing ok, no oil leak anywhere, I removed the rear brake in case it was that but it wasn't. I am charging the battery at the moment so I can see if the engine will crank, though he has said when he finally had the picked up by a recovery van and dropped home it wouldn't, Any idea what the problem/s could be? Thanks All, My bro is ok as well, very slow fall. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

02-03-2014, 11:17 PM	#5
gtxr Jr. Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 11	So what the verdict? What did you find? :) Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

02-04-2014, 10:34 AM	#9
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	I have always heard them called Zerk fittings. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
	0

02-06-2014, 09:59 AM	#11
Jllm02199 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Morrow, Ga. Posts: 830	I just call them grease fittings. __________________ 02 1500 Nomad (07 1600 Motor) 160,000 Red & Black 12" mini apes Galfer lines (6' over) EJK Dobeck Reckless Fairing. Led H4 headlight All LED lights Rockford Fosgate radio
	0

02-06-2014, 01:20 PM	#13
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Check our Tech section, we have some part numbers for them listed there. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

02-01-2014, 09:36 PM	#3
gtxr Jr. Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 11	How many miles are on it?? One of two things come to mind.. The bevel gear assembly and bearing let go causing the drive shaft to lock up.. Or the u-joint in the drive shaft let go causing the rear wheel to lock up.. Does it Roll buy being pushed? I would pull the rear wheel final drive and swing arm and check all of the above.. If it was just the drive shaft it might be a cheap easy fix with a new one from ebay etc.. If it was the Bevel gear assembly gears/bearings etc.. Could be pricey. Let us know. I just recently completed a bevel gear case complete rebuild with all new bearings and shims etc.. As well as replacing the drive shaft from PO that let the ujoint get so bad it destroyed the drive shaft yokes etc.. Let us know. and Good luck
	0

02-02-2014, 04:04 PM	#4
Silent Sam Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: On The Shakey Side Posts: 2,501	..Rear wheel locked in a "traffic circle"...as the bike lay on it's side the engine died.. ????? How many miles is on the bike ? ..when was the drive shaft last inspected..rear lube housing checked ?...yea, will it "roll" when pushed ? ..So far from the available info --It seems perhaps the U-Joint Failed..or even a transmission issue ? ...If you discover it's a U-Joint failure.....order the replacement "front-u-joint" from AMAZON.COM --For the 2002 Kawasaki Prairie 4X4... (it come's with a grease zerk)..then use a 1 inch hole saw, to cut a hole in the swing arm/drive line housing -right in line with the u-joint- as it turns on the drive shaft..at about the 7 o:clock (outside position)...the rubber boot wil cover aprox 90% of the hole..and a one inch rubber/plastic, firewall plug can be used if perferred ! The u-joint w/grease zerk..will cost around $30...a new drive shaft from Kawk Inc...will cost close to $300 ...and will not have a grease zerk !
	0

02-04-2014, 05:23 PM	#10
Silent Sam Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: On The Shakey Side Posts: 2,501	...I Like "NIPPLES" BETTER ! ; > 0 But I do come from a long line of "Torries"
	0

02-10-2014, 06:12 PM	#14
Silent Sam Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: On The Shakey Side Posts: 2,501	...My U-Joint was working fine at aprox 20,000 miles..When I modified the swing arm to install a grease zerk..I just swapped the new u-joint in...as a "precaution" ! (As for the greasable swing-arm bearing's...study that modification very carefully befor doing it, or it will not "feed-grease" to the swing-arm bearing's properly)
	0