Wheel drive motorcycle parts

A motorcycle final drive transfers torque from the engine to the rear wheel. It makes a bike move.

Types of motorcycle final drives.

• Chain. It comprises the following elements:
  • Sprockets. Drive sprockets receive the torque from the transmission output shaft, and the driven ones transmit it to the wheel. These spare parts do not have a defined service life.
  • Chain. It transfers the torque from the drive sprocket to the driven one. A special cover protects it from moisture and dust. Depending on the design type the chain may last for 10,000 as well as over 30,000 km.
• Belt. The main component is a belt with teeth on the inner side. It placed on the pulleys, between which it transmits the torque, and it can last up to 100,000 km. The exact time is specified by the motorcycle manufacturer.
• Driveshaft. It is a complex mechanism which consists of a U-joint and a shaft which connects gears. One of them is in the gearbox and the second one is attached to the rear wheel hub. Shafts in modern models are, as a rule, protected with a cover. The service life of this system isn’t defined, however, it is the most durable one.

Malfunctions: their causes and symptoms

• Worn teeth of a belt or links of a chain. It is the result of natural wear. It causes vibration in case of sudden braking and extraneous sounds while riding a motorcycle.
• Broken chain or torn belt. It results from critical wear and using the component longer than it is recommended. Premature wear and tear of these parts can happen due to high loads and soiling. When the chain or belt snaps, you’ll hear a loud clap. If the vehicle is going at a high speed, it may fall over.
• Deterioration and play between the elements of the shaft-type motorcycle final drive. These appear, in particular, after a severe impact in a road accident. You may hear crunching sounds coming from the assembly and the cover gets cracked. Also, you may notice metal shavings in the oil during its replacement.
• Chips and other defects of sprockets. Because of them, the bike will make unusual noises while moving and jerk when accelerating. Such defects are caused by riding a bike off-road carelessly or it falling over.

Tips on how to maintain and replace motorcycle final drives

• The assembly should be serviced in compliance with the motorcycle repair manual. For example, it specifies how often it is required to lubricate the moving parts of the system. Remember, if you had to ride your bike under the pouring rain or in extremely dusty areas, the unit will need unscheduled maintenance.
• Cleaning should be done considering the type of components. For instance, some chains need to be treated with special chemicals.
• The tension of a chain drive should be checked occasionally and adjusted.
• When replacing sprockets, it is necessary to make sure that they are aligned.
• It is recommended to change all components of the assembly at once. This way you’ll reduce the risk of having to repair them again in the nearest future.

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