Patent ID: 8261870

Claim:
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.