Raising final drive without fully seating drive shaft

[Joepi5]

Hello!

Out of pure curiosity and to strike something of a list of things. Would it be possible to raise to final drive on to the drive shaft if the drive shaft isn't fully seated on the gearbox output shaft?

Second question, what if the drive shaft circlip doesn't engage the groove in the splines to lock in place, what would happen if you would ride like that?

Is the circlip absolutely needed for the system to function properly or is it mainly there to keep the shaft in place when lowering the final drive?

 

[botus]

if the shaft is too long (as not clipped in) then you might struggle to bolt it all back together - and it could give an axial loading you don't want

if you were to ride off with it not clipped in - likely it would pop in as you go over a bump and the paralever moves and tries to shorten the shaft - but you won't know (unless you can see where it is wrong, and have a good look after a quick ride)

its not hard as hard as you think - makes sure its all clean and splines are in good condition - lube with the correct stuff - with the circlip at the gearbox end - get the UJ lined up (the hard bit) rotate the shaft a smidge keeping it square and using a screw driver levering at the other end against the casing, give it a quick thrill nudging towards the box - it should pop straight in and you'll see and feel it move 5mm or so

they are meant to have one circlip to stop the shaft wandering about / stay correctly located

 

[Joepi5]

It's all together and it has been for a year so I imagine it's all fine. Reason for asking is that even after the rebuild and fitting Hyperpro springs I feel somethings really hard through the seat/suspension. Caked on mud on a road or road repairs (the tar stripe kind) for instance is very noticable, which it isn't with the very very sporty suspension (e.g. stiff) on my Aprilia Falco.

So that got me thinking about what else could cause this (if it's out of the ordinary at all). The local dealer + an indepedant BMW expert tried it and thought it was all alright. so it might just be in my head...