[JPT]

Now on with the tear down. The larger discoveries I have made including the rear drive flange bearings being shot. This is still a grey area on how to repair. It appears it is sold by Honda as difficult to service part. That being said, with 15 years dealing parts for Toyota, I'm inclined to replace it with a factory replacement flange. If you have experience replacing these bearings, feel free to share how the have lasted between tire changes.

Will add further pictures as I get more repaired. Front and rear wheel bearings are next up. Will advise with a follow up.

Contact Jon Losey, I will message you his phone number. He services flanges. You can send him yours as a core, he will send you back a serviced upgraded flange. He addresses the design flaw, I can't exactly tell you what the flaw is, but the flange he sends you is ready to go, and will outlast the bike. It is worth it, I did mine, and many other members here and on vtxoa have as well.

 

[JPT]

First I am hearing of this service.
Can anyone explain what is entailed? What is the flaw in the flange etc?
I put new bearings in mine a couple weeks ago. Maybe I got lucky but it wasn't a terrible job on mine.

Best I can find:
Final Drive Flange Bearing Fix - Step by Step... | Honda VTX 1300 / VTX 1800 Motorcycles Forum (vtxcafe.com)

 

[JPT]

Also changed my rubber dampers (not sure the technical name for them), the rubber wedges that go inside the wheel. At the time they weren't too much money, and I figured a full refresh was a good idea.

The price has gone up significantly, and you only really need a small tube for the life of your bike, but this is the moly I got on amazon ($45 now, I paid $31 years ago):
Amazon.com: Loctite 234227 LOC51048 Moly Paste Anti-Seize Compound : Automotive

I also put some on my glove and rub it on the axle before I put it back. A little bit goes a long way...

 

[JPT]

I've always called them the Cush Drive. That's what I see them listed as in exploded diagrams as well

There you go. Cush Drive...