Chain tension PITA

[Irish in Oz]

Had a shaft drive XJ750 so smooth, loved it. Shaft drive might behave differently with the 14's torque....... but would be my preference.

Why GSX has smooth delivery on power, shaft on the FJR is great, and my old XJ900 probably the same as your XJ750.

[grog]

Just remembered my other shaftie i had. 1950 LE Velocette Noddy. 149cc of 6 bhp. What a bike. So powerful the clutch slipped.

[Irish in Oz]

Just remembered my other shaftie i had. 1950 LE Velocette Noddy. 149cc of 6 bhp. What a bike. So powerful the clutch slipped.

Bangers & Cash sold one at auction for 2500 GBP on TV the other night.

[VladTepes]

Shaft drives aren't what they used to be - the tech is much improved nowadays  Many of the previous engineering compromises have been resolved.  The big block Honda VFR illustrates that well.

One inescapable fact though is that they do rob 'some' power from getting to the ground in comparison with a chain drive.

If the motivation for shaft drive is purely to reduce chain adjustment hassles - the chain drive on a single sided swingarm is easier to manage that a double sided swingarm.

Also single sided swingarms are cool.


Shaft drives do away with all the chain maintenance hassle so there is a big upside.
But they are heaver and that's a significant downside.

[steve porter]

pity that belt drive never took off, never ridden one , but seems like a good idea

[Hooli]

Belts are good, I've ridden an HD with them & they just work.

[Hooli]

Also single sided swingarms are cool.

Incorrect!

I tend to ask why half the suspension has fallen off, they look bloody daft.

[Mick_J]

I like single siders, three of my bikes have them.  Removing wheels, tensioning chains and cleaning all easier with them.

[Irish in Oz]

One inescapable fact though is that they do rob 'some' power from getting to the ground in comparison with a chain drive

Sure you wouldn't notice it with a full Akra and Yoshi system.

[VladTepes]

pity that belt drive never took off, never ridden one , but seems like a good idea

and yet there are chain conversion kits sold for Buells  (the XB series etc) .

Probably more to do with the difficulty and expense in obtaining suitable belts now though given Harley is not (and has not for some time) been supporting them with parts.

[Mick_J]

I think that's more to do with available drive pully sizes, chains and sprockets are very easily change to give different ratios, belts and pullies are not.

[Kiwifruit]

Have posted this before but this is what l use use when adjusting my chain

[Hooli]

I measure the same place with verniers when first setting up a new bike, or having changed chain & sprockets. For small adjustments I just count the flats of the bolt heads to keep it in line.

[steve porter]

I came up with this idea (apologies to anyone else who may have come up with it before me) to solve a high speed stability issue I had at 250 + at Phillip Island. large one goes through the swingarm spindle and the small one goes through the axle and you measure the distance on both sides, worked a treat and I have used it on lots of bikes  since, Haven`t bothered with the 14 yet as  it seems fine, and I don`t ride it that fast anyway

[Irish in Oz]

@steve porter
From a wheel balance kit