Making a Cushier Cush Drive

[Lucky Phil]

29 minutes ago, MotoKnee said:

15 years ago a few guys with some sense seemed to like the idea of a cushier cush drive. I wondered if the idea held up over time.  (Phil votes NAY)

 

I think I can answer that with a no it didn't. Homespun engineering without a purpose.

Phil

[Molly]

I must've been lucky with my recent disassembly because the wheel came apart without issue. Pity I hadn't read this at the time or I'd likely have taken the opportunity to drill the rubbers. 

As for super sticky grease for spinny parts potentially exposed to water, I swear by Castrol Optimol Paste. It was recommended for the splines on a BMW final drive I serviced and I've been using it since on all sorts of things. 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373738695763

 

[Pressureangle]

12 hours ago, Lucky Phil said:

It's not and never was with anyone with any sense. Why the hell would you Swiss cheese the dampers? Or replace them with something else/softer? A slight smear of rubber grease to ease the assembly back together is all thats needed and then don't mess with it.

Phil

 

This is entering the realm of philosophy.
I drilled the rubbers in my '85 LeMans. I did not drill the rubbers in my '97 Sport. I noticed zero difference.
The question becomes, 'how much cushion is necessary to save the metal, where is the point of diminishing returns?'
My personal opinion is that the factory cushions are perfectly adequate for their purpose, and most or all of the worn splines are due to lack of maintenance rather than impact. 
My $0.02.

[GuzziMoto]

I have never drilled the rubbers.  But I did try running with half the rubbers installed. It did make for smoother shifts. But it was not really a rough shifter with all the rubbers.

[gstallons]

I did the half rubber number in my 87 and did a bunch of whittlin' on my black frame bike . Stopped because I could tell no difference . I do think running 1/2 the amount of rubbers would weaken the system and cause you problems in the long run. 

 If they made softer rubber pucks , I think I would go for some BUT they don't so I will find something more important to worry about.

[Dan M]

It's been fun rereading this thread after all this time.

I don't see much reason to drill the pucks.

As long as the pucks are not dried up and very hard, they will not have any effect on the splines.  Dirt and lack of grease are what damage splines.

The pucks should be lubricated with a lube that is designed for rubber to metal contact. My personal favorite is Sil-glyde. It is made for lubricating rubber parts in contact with metal in brake systems so it is waterproof, heat resistant and tends to stay put.  High pressure grease preferrably with moly such as TS-60 is best for the splines.