Basics: chain, cardan, toothed belt

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Basics: chain, cardan, toothed belt
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Basics: chain, cardan, toothed belt

Basics: chain, cardan, toothed belt
Advantages and disadvantages explained

Toothed belt, chain or cardan: three types of drive have proven themselves to transfer the power to the rear wheel. 2Rader explains the different concepts and tells you where there are advantages and disadvantages.

02/25/2008

The chain


Basics: chain, cardan, toothed belt


Drawing: archive

The chain

The classic motorbike drive, simple and straightforward. A chain is inexpensive but requires a lot of maintenance.

+ Inexpensive drive type, quickly changed, low weight

– Frequent checks required, needs a lot of maintenance, makes the motorcycle dirty

Typical representatives
Athletes, all-rounders, enduros, choppers and cruisers: there is no motorcycle division in
which the chain drive is not used.
Even at BMW, where the cardan drive is preferred, the chain is installed in the small single-cylinder series (F models). For most Japanese, the chain drive is standard anyway.

Care and Maintenance
Constant control is required here. Chains must be lubricated regularly with special chain grease. In addition, the sag must be checked and readjusted if necessary. After about 20,000 kilometers, a complete change of chain, pinion and sprocket is due.

The cardan shaft


Basics: chain, cardan, toothed belt


Drawing: archive

Long-lasting and extremely maintenance-friendly drive concept. The power is transmitted to the rear wheel via a cardan shaft. One disadvantage is the heavy weight.

+ Clean (closed system, easy to maintain, durable in comparison

– Elaborate construction, high weight, costs performance

Typical representatives
The classic supplier of cardan bikes is the BMW brand. Moto Guzzi also swears by propulsion shafts; here every model is equipped with a cardan. The cardan is only sporadically represented in the range of Japanese brands. Mostly it is then used in large-capacity tourers or cruisers.

Care and Maintenance
The cardan drive is ideally considered to be low-maintenance. Except for occasional oil changes you don’t have to worry about anything with the cardan. In addition, it is considered to be extremely durable. However, it becomes problematic and also expensive when seals fail or individual components are replaced
Need to become.

The timing belt


Basics: chain, cardan, toothed belt


Drawing: archive

The alternative to chain drives: identical principle, only with different materials. The advantage over the chain is that it requires little maintenance

+ Low maintenance, long service life, clean (no lubricants)

– Requires a lot of space, cumbersome exchange, time-consuming adjustment

Typical representatives
The USA cult brands Harley-Davidson and Buell in particular have sworn by timing belt drives for a long time. The new F 800 series from BMW is also powered in this way. The highlight: it is even possible to convert from a chain to a toothed belt. The costs for this are around 1500 euros.
Information at www.vh-motorradtechnik.de

Care and Maintenance
In contrast to chains, toothed belts do not need to be lubricated. Although the tension must be checked regularly, re-tensioning is usually much less necessary than with the chain. A replacement is planned every 40,000 kilometers and requires the swing arm to be removed.

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