Method for removing or installing endless power transmitting element on a motorcycle assembly

1. A method for replacing an endless power transmitting element in a motorcycle having a rear axle assembly with a pair of driven wheels, the rear axle assembly comprising a carrier housing, a differential assembly and a pair of shafts, the carrier housing having a carrier structure and a pair of bearing caps, the differential assembly being received in the carrier structure, each of the shafts having a first end, which is drivingly coupled to the differential assembly, and a second, opposite end that is coupled to an associated one of the driven wheels, the method comprising:

untightening a plurality of threaded fasteners that secure a pair of bearing caps to a pair of bearing supports that are integrally formed with the carrier structure;

moving the differential assembly away from at least one of the bearing supports;

mounting the endless power transmitting element about the differential assembly and through an opening in the carrier housing; and

re-tightening the threaded fasteners to re-secure the bearing caps to the bearing supports.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein moving the differential assembly away from at least one of the bearing supports comprises decoupling at least one of the shafts from the differential assembly.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the at least one of the shafts is slid along its longitudinal and rotational axis when it is decoupled from the differential assembly.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the axle housing assembly comprises a pair of axle tubes that are fixedly coupled to the carrier housing and wherein decoupling at least one of the shafts from the differential assembly comprises removing a bearing retaining plate from one of the axle tubes.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the axle tubes are integrally formed with the carrier housing.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the endless power transmitting element is a belt.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the endless power transmitting element is a chain.

8. A method for installing an endless power transmitting element to a rear axle assembly for a motorcycle having a pair of driven wheels, the method comprising:

providing a carrier housing having a carrier structure and a pair of bearing caps;

installing the endless power transmitting element about a differential assembly;

mounting the differential assembly to the carrier structure such that the endless power transmitting element extends through an opening in the carrier structure; and

coupling the bearing caps to the carrier structure.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the differential assembly has a pair of output members and wherein the method further comprises rotatably coupling an axle shaft to each of the output members of the differential assembly.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising coupling the endless power transmitting element to an output member of a power train.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the endless power transmitting element is a belt.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the endless power transmitting element is a chain.

13. A method for replacing an endless power transmitting element in a motorcycle having a rear axle assembly with a pair of driven wheels, the rear axle assembly comprising a carrier housing, a differential assembly and a pair of axle shafts, the carrier housing having a carrier structure and a pair of bearing caps, the differential assembly being received in the carrier structure, each of the shafts having a first end, which is drivingly coupled to the differential assembly, and a second, opposite end that is coupled to an associated one of the driven wheels, the method comprising:

removing the bearing caps from the carrier structure;

disengaging the shafts from the differential assembly;

moving the differential assembly away from the carrier structure;

mounting the endless power transmitting element about the differential assembly and through an opening in the carrier housing;

replacing the bearing caps to the carrier structure; and

re-engaging the shafts to the differential assembly.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein moving the differential assembly away from the carrier structure comprises removing the differential assembly from the carrier structure.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein disengaging the shafts from the differential assembly comprises sliding the shafts along their longitudinal and rotational axes in a direction away from the differential assembly.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the axle housing assembly comprises a pair of axle tubes that are fixedly coupled to the carrier housing and wherein disengaging the shafts from the differential assembly comprises decoupling a pair of bearing retaining plates from the axle tubes.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the endless power transmitting element is a belt.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the endless power transmitting element is a chain.