04-29-2014, 03:10 AM
The straight skinny on shafts vs chains
Shafts are pretty much maintenance free. You do need to change the rear end oil every once in awhile, lube the splines in the final drive with some moly paste, but it really is a good system if all you are going to do is ride. A shaft is more expensive to produce, it's heavier and less efficient than a chain drive system, and there is no way to alter gearing if it doesn't suit you. There are cases of final drive failures and universal joint failures but they are pretty rare.
A chain drive does require periodic adjustment and lubrication. The x and o ring chains on todays bikes are far superior to chains of old. They will frequently go 6-7-8000 miles between adjustments, and will last 20-30,000 miles. A chain adjustment and lubrication is a 5 minute job. They are lighter, than a shaft, are more efficient in transferring power than a shaft ( if lubricated and adjusted properly) you can alter gearing, and fairly easy to replace when it does need replacement.
In the end a chain drive system is not the burden it used to be, and not much of an issue really, even for those of us that ride a lot, or far from home, but if maintenance is a primary concern IMO a shaft will have less maintenance overall than a chain drive system.
Shafts are pretty much maintenance free. You do need to change the rear end oil every once in awhile, lube the splines in the final drive with some moly paste, but it really is a good system if all you are going to do is ride. A shaft is more expensive to produce, it's heavier and less efficient than a chain drive system, and there is no way to alter gearing if it doesn't suit you. There are cases of final drive failures and universal joint failures but they are pretty rare.
A chain drive does require periodic adjustment and lubrication. The x and o ring chains on todays bikes are far superior to chains of old. They will frequently go 6-7-8000 miles between adjustments, and will last 20-30,000 miles. A chain adjustment and lubrication is a 5 minute job. They are lighter, than a shaft, are more efficient in transferring power than a shaft ( if lubricated and adjusted properly) you can alter gearing, and fairly easy to replace when it does need replacement.
In the end a chain drive system is not the burden it used to be, and not much of an issue really, even for those of us that ride a lot, or far from home, but if maintenance is a primary concern IMO a shaft will have less maintenance overall than a chain drive system.