Chain drive, why do we want it again?

RonKZ650 wrote: Why in the world do they still fit chains to motorcycles. :sick:

Lighter weight, lower cost and you can play with final drive ratios to suit your particular riding style. With very few exceptions (only one that I know of) you can't change rear end gear ratios on a shaftie.

Never had a problem with a chain and like Grumpy Ole Artist said I don't like the feeling of getting lifted when I pegged it.

GPz550D1 wrote: I would be so happy if I was smart enough to fit a belt drive system to my current Gpz550. Chain racket drives me nuts.

I suggest you lift the rear wheel off the ground, put the bike in neutral with the engine off, and manually spin the rear wheel. You should be able to identify the source of the chain noise. Normally drive chains make very little noise and generally can only be heard if the bike is drifting with the engine shut off, so something may be wrong with the chain, the sprockets, or the rear wheel alignment. How many miles are on the chain/sprocket set? If the chain is not running true, (i.e. the rear wheel is not adjusted so it is parallel with the centerline of the bike, or if the axle spacers are not installed correctly) the chain can make noise rubbing the sprocket sides. Also, a chain that is too tight will make noise; do you have the appropriate amount of slack in the chain? Hopefully, you will be able to sort out this problem; if not, you may experience abnormal chain/sprocket wear. Ed

the new Triumphs are the yuppie scoot of choice. Id be willing to bet he never lubed his chain causing premature failure. seen that happen before.....

I have been riding since 1974 and have put on well over 750,000 miles on various bikes during that time. I have ridden all over the United States, through Central America, Canada, Alaska, ect. Dirt bikes, Adventure bikes and street bikes. All those miles have been on chain driven motorcycles. I have NEVER had a chain failure even when the chain was neglected. I have had chains stretch and shear all the teeth on the rear sprockets off but never a failure. Until someone comes up with a better more effecient way to transfer power I will stick with the chain drive. I have seen lots of belt failures and the handling problems of a driveshaft I really dont' like.

I'd take a belt drive over a chain any day of the week for most purposes. Not all situations but for the average street bike.....they're pretty darn nice.

I will also say that if your chain drive lets you down...it's probably your own fault so reap your reward for neglected maintenance.

Modern shaft drive bikes don't have near the chassis upset issues that early shaft drive Japanese bikes like the early 80's Yamaha 750 tripple had.

JMO

crh wrote: ................Modern shaft drive bikes don't have near the chassis upset issues that early shaft drive Japanese bikes like the early 80's Yamaha 750 tripple had.

JMO

Maybe, but it appears they self destruct (see link). This would be a far greater concern to me. I'll pass. Ed

kzrider.com/forum/13-bike-related/589440...want-it-again#593029

You all bring up some good points. Still to me chain is in the same catagory as carbs vs fuel injection and points ignition vs electronic. Guys always said the same thing about these things when they do rarely have problems for sure the simple points and carbs will be easier to fix than fuel injection and electronic ignition and much less expensive when they do fail, which is more frequent. To be honest I've never had a chain failure either in all these years, but still don't like chain drive and don't want any more of them. Some motorcycles with shaft have had big problems for sure, that is a fact. I've seen pictures of a couple BMWs with the single side swingarm where the whole swingarm snapped. That will leave a dent in the wallet for sure.

DoctoRot wrote: the new Triumphs are the yuppie scoot of choice. Id be willing to bet he never lubed his chain causing premature failure. seen that happen before.....

We had few of those type customers years ago. One brought his new bike back after a few weeks of riding. He was raising holy hell in the service department because he had loud noises comimg out from around his rear wheel. After inspection by our Service Manager, he found that the chain was dragging on the swing arm, and rusted like it just came out of a lake. He then explained to mr. yuppie that he had to lube, and adjust the chain once and awhile.

The yuppie's answer..."you mean I have to adjust MY chain!!! For what I paid YOU people for this bike, it ought to do that ITSELF"

We all looked at each other and walked away shaking our heads!! There are just certain folks that should not even sit on a bike let alone ride one!!!

650ed wrote:

crh wrote: ................Modern shaft drive bikes don't have near the chassis upset issues that early shaft drive Japanese bikes like the early 80's Yamaha 750 tripple had.

JMO

Maybe, but it appears they self destruct (see link). This would be a far greater concern to me. I'll pass. Ed

kzrider.com/forum/13-bike-related/589440...want-it-again#593029

"Some" may self destruct. My Voyager has 96,000 miles on it and the shaft is in good shape. I did replace the rear end gears because they were noisy at 85,000 miles when I bought it, but they didn't self destruct. Cost. $65.00 plus shipping for a used rear end .I still have the old gears and will re-shim them to reduce the backlash and try them out again some day. The shaft, u-joint and bevel gears at the engine end are like new. Shaft drives are great on touring bikes. No maintenance issues on a long trip, clean, quiet, trouble free. I'll take the shaft on the Voyager and the chain on the KZ1000. I like them both. They are suited to the application. The handling of the Voyager is not an issue with the shaft. It's not a giddy-up go machine, but it will kick some Harley ass when I need it to. :woohoo:

and how bout them pesky helmets and gloves...do we really need them too...

Back when i had my 76 750 i took it to work to show a guy who wanted to buy it (30 miles one way) and on the way home the chain thought it was a good time to go.

Long story short two hours $20 at the nearest tractor supply and i was good to go.

Now when i get a bike i toss the chain and get a new one on her right quick