shaft driven bikes

[just for kicks]

Does anyone have a shaft driven bike?
I just wonder how good the shafts are and how adaptable they might be.

I have seen some on the net and wondered if the shaft drive system could be adapted to be motor driven which could solve the problem of the chain tensioners.

 

[azbill]

interesting idea...
I wonder if they engineer them to be able to withstand the power of our engines ?

 

[Tom]

interesting idea...
I wonder if they engineer them to be able to withstand the power of our engines ?

Of course not, that would be impossible!

 

[grakker]

I think it would be cool. Shaft drives are known for reliability with motorcycles (BMW, et al). But I can't imagine it being ideal for motored bikes with the weight hit.

 

[Earth Mechanic]

That is a good thought, I saw them myself this week and thought the same thing. How does bmw design the shaft and torque converting mechanism? I suppose there is a ratio between the torque of the GS 1150 lets say and the diameter of the drive-shaft bar and torque converter bearings (or worm gears or whatever is used) it uses. That might get you in the ball park of knowing what to expect from the drive shaft bikes.