[DPelletier]

If the cush drive only lasted 10,000 miles I'd have used 4 last year, 38 in the last 13 years. I replaced one crush drive at about 40k miles, since then I have just shimmed them. If you only ride 10,000 or 20,000 miles a year then maybe just replacing them makes sense to you.

Yep; guilty. Between my two bikes, I'm lucky to put 3,000k on each per year and most of that is dirt. My 2001 had 25,000 on the original cush drive and it could have gone longer. I have a spare in stock so I'm probably good for 10 years......If I can still ride by then.

 

[Norton 850]

Regarding replacement intervals for the cushion-drive, I have 37,000 miles on my 2012 KLR and have yet to replace it.

Jason

 

[PeteK]

Likewise, my highest miles KLR, a 1998 with almost 40kmi, has the original rubber cushion in the hub. It’s still snug—not tight, but no obvious play.

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

 

[pdwestman]

They definitely used to make them from better rubber. My 88,000+ mile 1987 model still fits plenty tight enough & shows no fretting, so I don't give it a second thought.

If I owned a newer model that was getting mushy, I'd try the urethane ProCycle damper in a heart beat.

 

[Fullkeel]

I replaced my "cushion drive" at 23,000 miles because I thought that the play was excessive. Your play seems excessive to me.

Jason

I cant find and instructions online. How do you remove and replace the rear cush drive? Thank you.

 

[klr4evr]

cant find and instructions online. How do you remove and replace the rear cush drive? Thank you.

Pull rear wheel off and lift sprocket carrier assembly from wheel. It’s under there. Easy, peasy.

 

[Fullkeel]

I know where it is and how to get to it, I'm asking how to remove it.
Do you just pull it out by hand?
I'm replacing chain and both sprokets (16t front) so I figure why not change the cush drive while I'm into it.
So if you could go into a little detail on how to remove and how new cush is installed, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your reply!

 

[klr4evr]

I know where it is and how to get to it, I'm asking how to remove it.
Do you just pull it out by hand?

It's apparent you haven't taken the wheel off before. When you remove wheel just pull up on the sprocket and the sprocket carrier will just pop out of the Cush drive. Pull the Cush drive out put a new one in. It's easier than brushing your teeth.

 

[Fullkeel]

No I haven't taken the wheel off. You have the detective skills of Columbo. Good job.
And thank you for the info.
👍