[charliechitlins]

...no go!
I'm the mechanic on a farm, so I haven't been driving it, but the farmer says it would "slip" now and then, but he never heard any grinding or scary noises.
A quick peek in the oil filler hole tells me the ring gear is turning.
I'm thinking stripped splines on the axle.
Any other ideas?
Thanks in advance

 

[billy5221]

It could be your clutch slipping, it might just need to be adjusted or a rebuild, if you're doing alot pulling with it on the farm it be worn out

 

[charliechitlins]

The clutch slipping would stop the shaft from turning, right?
Once the shaft is turning, it should turn the rear wheels, I think.
I just got the wheels off the ground and when I turn the rear wheels, the drive shaft doesn't turn.
And it sounds crunchy.
I'm thinking maybe stripped splines on the axle.
I JUST did a top end on this thing, too...

 

[Carolynskii]

Yes if you turn the rear wheels the drive shaft turns. Just gotta take it apart and investigate like youre doing.
If it's 4x4 you can put it engage 4x4 and test the clutches and see if it shifts thru all gears before spending any more money or time on it.
This sounds like a severely abused bike that may require bottom end work too.

 

[charliechitlins]

Severely abused?
Bottom end work?!
What did I post that could possibly lead you to those conclusions?
Why did I even bother asking?
Yikes.

 

[billy5221]

Because you said it was slipping so first thought was your clutch, and I would think to tear up spines on the shaft or gears in the rear end would take a lot. Sounds like you got though, good luck

 

[alloutdoors]

I would remove the back wheels and place on jack stands and try it in gear carefully to see exactly where the issue is in the driveline.

 

[charliechitlins]

It's up on the lift.
Start tearing it apart Monday.
It seems like if it's the diff, I'll probably send it to Honda instead of buying the special tools.

 

[Carolynskii]

Lol it just sounds abused because it takes a lot to wreck splines in the rearend plus you rebuilt the top end. Debris is what causes the most havoc in rearend it gets past seals and ruins bearings. if you have any play it the diff with the axle in you'd need bearings as well. But I tell ya parts for a diff with labor is really high. Check the price of a new diff on partzilla to compare.
Speaking of debris did you find out why the top end went bad? Some causes are that it was hot then was ridden in water causing the cylinder to egg shape or debris(muddy water) got inside the engine or an air filter was either absent or super dirty or my personal favorite is when the oil plug on the bottom of the motor gets stripped leaving pieces of metal in the engine to cause havoc...... debris in the motor regardless of muddy water or metal pieces require bottom end work to remove or the top end will just go bad again.

It'd be worth checking those clutches first since the rear has problems if you have 4x4. Also listen for the oneway bearing going bad. When you kill the running engine do you hear a winding noise that comes to a clunk stop?

 

[charliechitlins]

The top end was apart because a &%#$ spark plug self destructed.
As near as I can tell, the center electrode broke and it continued to run until it finally hammered the outer one off.
Found the pieces sitting on top of the piston.
No damage to valves or seats.
Honed it, fresh rings and off we go.
This machine is used a lot around the farm, but never for towing or anything...just getting around...fixing fences...chasing cows...
Turns out the axle splines are shot.
I'm assuming the axle material is softer than what it splines into so the cheaper/easier part wears out first.
Odd, though...it seems like if it's hardened properly it should last as long as anything else on the machine.
Whatever...I can't believe a new one is EIGHTY BUCKS.
I would have guessed 250....y'know...Honda.

 

[shadetree]

bottom line : look for the worst, expect the worst, pray it doesn't cost more than what you paid for it to start with ! .