AVON TYRES

[ekap1200]

Hello from NJ. I just purchased new tires for the old 1200. Nothing like the feel of new sneakers under you. I went to 'Avons web site and it shown dealers that have the 1200's tires in stock. So BikeBandit gave me a nice deal on purchasing the set. Now I just need to heal up and get this bike apart for all the items I have that need attention. I had purchased new fuel line from Motion-Pro to go from the tank to the filter, and the molded hose from the filter to the pump. So it looks like I will be pulling the fuel tank out, I has not been out since around 45K when I also replaced the drive/shafts U-joint. I replaced it with one from a
Kawasaki/ATV/Prairie-400 (KVF400-02) Part number = 49050-1002 . At that time it listed for over 100.00 and that did not include the 4clips.
All this work ain't going to happen until after the Doc's clear me to ride...... Sometime in late Dec. I won't care how cold it is, I will be riding a few tanks of fuel thru this bike before this year is out

[cushman eagle]

Thank you Gene,for the tire post as my Dunlop choices have disappeared
My rear E-4 still should make it through next year,but my front will need changed before the 2021 rally.

[VoyKimmer]

Thanks Gene,
I received my Avon rear tire and will take it to have it mounted this week. Also ordered the u joint and clips to rebuild my old driveshaft so I have another spare.

[ekap1200]

Thanks Gene,
I received my Avon rear tire and will take it to have it mounted this week. Also ordered the u joint and clips to rebuild my old driveshaft so I have another spare.

Hello Kim, did you get it for 180.00 ? About the u-joint , it took me a while to find and verify the P/N, I ordered one and the 4clips also. I have a few shafts here that need to be rebuilt. 'so I will have a spare/replacement in stock.

you seen my invoice, not bad, I have paid more for the tires in the past and went to Avons rewards page for the 60.00 , I may be just towards another purchase , but I'll take that..

Gene Kap.

[VoyKimmer]

No I paid $192 for the rear tire. I ordered the ujoint with the clips. Ujoint around $100

[ekap1200]

YOU did good on the u-joint/with clips. I had so many items , that I was ordering , I forgot to order the 4 clips. So I had to order them an hour later and paid 7.14 in shipping. Who did you order the U-Joint from ?
Gene

[VoyKimmer]

Parts shark. They only deal in Oem parts and I didn’t want to get an aftermarket one. Most the time I get the best price for oem parts from them . I have no complaints about them. They have done good. Plus they are out of Indianapolis so the shipping is pretty fast to. I did the same thing about forgetting the clips but called them and they said they will combine the order.

[Barry]

So it looks like I will be pulling the fuel tank out, I has not been out since around 45K when I also replaced the drive/shafts U-joint.

So Gene, Was there something wrong that caused you to replace the U-joint? I was under the impression they will last to 90-100k miles before a possible replacement was needed. I have a spare shaft with joint that seems to be in good condition. No telling how many miles are on it. I was planning to just swap it out if I ever develop a problem.

[ekap1200]

[/quote]
So Gene, Was there something wrong that caused you to replace the U-joint? I was under the impression they will last to 90-100k miles before a possible replacement was needed. I have a spare shaft with joint that seems to be in good condition. No telling how many miles are on it. I was planning to just swap it out if I ever develop a problem.
[/quote]

Hello Barry, There was an issue, but not to the point of a vibration. I had the bike only a few years and wanting to get to know her a bit one winter took her down for a good inspection. Upon inspection of the u-joint its feel was a bit stiff on one cross. Well before removing it , I done some research and most claimed the u-joint with the grease fitting was the exact rpl. However , after receiving it and removing mine. I did a QC on it and found , it was close but not an exact rpl. And being drilled thru the cross , made it way weaker. So Carl Leo gave me a heads up on the one for the Prairie. Way more money, but with the same dim. down to the thousandth " . It is a tricky removal, but with an arbor press and a split collar, I can remove them without any problem . Could it have went further, Yes maybe 20k but the one cup was dry and I was in the process of looking for a cargo/trailer. And I have been know to be a bit heavy on the throttle....The one I just purchased is just to have in stock, as with all the rubber items for the 3 brake calipers, water pump repair kit, spare cables and fuel pump. Just to name a few.... My last bike had 156K on it but back then without the internet , the supply of parts went dead.... At 65 this may be my last bike so I want to keep it going well into the 200K range .
Gene Kap.

[cushman eagle]

I bought a spare driveshaft a couple years ago to see if I could press the u-joint apart enough to grease it,which I did ,then after installing it,I greased the original,so now have a spare.
I only put a small dab on each cross,so I would not blow the seal pressing it back together.

[Barry]

Loren,
Your description sounds like you just added more grease? Wouldn't you removed the old needle bearings, clean & then add new grease? Also Gene, I don't have an arbor press. Could this be done with a large bench vise or large C-clamp?

[cushman eagle]

Loren,
Your description sounds like you just added more grease? Wouldn't you removed the old needle bearings, clean & then add new grease? Also Gene, I don't have an arbor press. Could this be done with a large bench vise or large C-clamp?

Barry,you are correct in that I only added grease,as the remaining grease looked clean and still looked almost fresh.
I found no reason to clean or replace it.

[ekap1200]

Loren,
Your description sounds like you just added more grease? Wouldn't you removed the old needle bearings, clean & then add new grease? Also Gene, I don't have an arbor press. Could this be done with a large bench vise or large C-clamp?

Hello Barry, I am going to field Lorens answer, the needle's can't get dirt into them and if the cross shows no signs of wear/marks then just make sure they have lube and call it a day.. the seals are quite hefty and hold the needles so they don't fall out and they can be a bitch to remove , so as I said if the cross shows no wear its good. Be advised TOO MUCH grease and the cup when installing will pop out the seal and make a wreck of things.

If it were me , without an arbor press, I would not do it. There is something about beating on a drive shaft with a hammer then grabbing the cap with a vise grip that just don't agree with me.. An arbor press can outdo even a large c-clamp 10~1 .
Gene K

[VoyKimmer]

It’s been a while since I’ve done it but have a u joint on order and will be doing it soon.
I use a vise protected jaws with brass caps and a socket to press the cups out after removing the clips of course. I’ll see how it goes.

[ekap1200]

It’s been a while since I’ve done it but have a u joint on order and will be doing it soon.
I use a vise protected jaws with brass caps and a socket to press the cups out after removing the clips of course. I’ll see how it goes.

Hey Kim, I know what your skills are You will do just fine, however you do it.
I went out today for a nice ride in my pick-up now that I am cleared to drive. picked up some oil/flts at 8.99 each. I also went to auto/zone and picked up some air filters , the STP retro. what an easy RPL with the air box now modified to accept them. Wishing I had the strength to start working on the bike, but I can't even open up the socket drawer yet. 10lbs is the most I am supposed to pull or lift until the bones heal. However I will be rockin and rolling when I get started . All parts should be in this week. My drive-line should be good, I have some good shafts here and will install the new joint on one of them just to have in stk.
Hope we can all get together this summer.
Gene