Shaft drive

How it works

Shaft drive replaces the chain on some motorcycles, mainly tourers and cruisers. A drive shaft inside the swingarm links the gearbox to the rear final drive; one or two universal joints let it follow the suspension's movement. At the end, the final drive (bevel box) turns the drive through 90° to the rear wheel using bevel gears running in their own oil. Shaft drive is clean, needs little maintenance and lasts a long time, but it is heavier and costlier to repair than a chain. Maintenance mainly means changing the final-drive oil at the manufacturer's interval and watching the seals: a leak at the final drive or the boot must be dealt with. A clunk on acceleration or deceleration, or play in the rear wheel when turned, can mean a worn universal joint or final-drive bearings. Diagnosis and repair are done in a workshop.

Maintenance tips

• ✓Change the final-drive oil at the interval in the manual, with the specified oil.
• ✓Inspect the final drive and boot regularly: any oil trace must be fixed.
• ✓A clunk on acceleration or when closing the throttle should be diagnosed quickly.
• ✓Check rotational play at the rear wheel (turn it gently back and forth): significant play is abnormal.
• ✓Removing the final drive and shaft is workshop work.