Manky Monkey Motors

Playing with ideas in my head and having no knowledge whatsover about motorcycles in general and Goldlwings in particular I'd like to know please ( on a Gl 1100 or 1200
 
1) There is a thin and thick spline on the driveshaft , which end takes the u/j ?

2) Where does the uj fit ,gearbox or wheel end ?

3) As the bikes get bigger and longer do they lengthen the driveshaft ?

4) are the driveshafts interchangable?

5) Can you lengthen the driveshaft at all or to lengthen wheelbase would you have to make up an intermediary shaft?

thin end takes the uj and that is gear box end dont think they are interchangeable and cant see why you cant lengthen  one
i dont understand question 3

Kev the drive shafts are different for the  gl1100 and the gl1200
1100  shaft and uj are one piece
1200  shaft and uj are separate

I know on some Goldwings they altered the wheelbase .To do that they'd either have to move the headstock position forward or move the rear wheel back .If it's at the rear end  ( which I guess it would be to give better ride by lengthening the rear suspension link then they'd have to move the engine back in the frame or use a longer driveshaft?

Spotted that on some I looked at on  Ebay Terry . I an see it's easier to turn the drive shaft into a propshaft for a trike ( as you already have a u/j at the gearbox, as I now know ;) )

It's finding a safe way to lengthen the forged (?) one piece shaft that will balance correctly afterwards. That's not a problem on a hollow car propshaft but not something I've had to consider on one piece solid driveshafts before.

I have lengthened GL 500,1100 and 1200 shafts with no probs. I use hydraulic, heavy walled tube, with the shaft cut and welded either end accordingly, and that's the case on my current build where I'm using a 3 piece drive shaft, made up of a mixture of CX/GL shaft,1.25" hydraulic tube, and suitably sized U/J's. Balance I have not found to be a problem from past experience, Morrag

Many thanks Morrag  ;D