Chain Drive and

[draw]

Has any one converted a gl1100 to chain? I have seen a gl1500 http://steelcreations.com.pl/en/cooperation
But nothing else. Any ideas? Hopefully this hasn't been asked a hundred times.....

Thanks,

Draw

[ericheath]

Been done, spendy, unless you have lots laying around and a decent shop. The Dragon is coming to my mind.

[ericheath]

https://www.ngwclub.com/gallery3/index. ... _right_low

[CYBORG]

WHY?

[rcmatt007]

WHY?

to be able to constantly clean of the thrown chain lube?

[CYBORG]

new O ring chains are supposed to eliminate that. I know that it is a more efficient transfer of power. But if you want chain drive, why buy a Goldwing. Might be easier to replace the Goldwing engine with a Harley engine,.....or just buy a chain drive bike

[rcmatt007]

Harley's now have belts drives, quieter, efficient, and NO CHAIN LUBE

[CYBORG]

Harley's now have belts drives, quieter, efficient, and NO CHAIN LUBE

I knew that, but even changing a shaft drive Goldwing the belt drive seems like a lot of work, when all you have to do is buy a bike that is already belt drive. Part of the reason I liked goldwings was the engine, the engineering, and the shaft drive

[dontwantapickle]

Cyborg: Why did you put nitrous on your bike when you could have just bought a faster bike?

Why do all of these guys here want to chop their perfectly functional bikes up into bobbers and cafe racers?

Because customizing their bikes is what bike customizers do.
IMHO - of course.

[low-side]

It would open up wheel and maybe even swingarm options. Simplest way would likely be: output shaft to bevel; shaft from bevel across back of engine; bearing support and sprocket on left side of bike. I think if you had to go that route benefits would only be aesthetic though; the turn at the bevel would counter any increased efficiency from the chain or belt drive conversion.

[CYBORG]

Cyborg: Why did you put nitrous on your bike when you could have just bought a faster bike?

Why do all of these guys here want to chop their perfectly functional bikes up into bobbers and cafe racers?

Because customizing their bikes is what bike customizers do.
IMHO - of course.

Installing nitrous is a lot easier the changing from a driveshaft to a chain. I consider changing t chain drive a step in the backward direction. Improving in the forward direction, to a more modern system, like electronic ign., non spoke wheels, brighter headlights, etc., including blowers or nitrous. All steps to more modern , improved systems. Old school systems are good enough for bar hopping, or bike show bragging rights, but for long hauls reliability and comfort is the ticket. Folks have different bikes for different uses. My question was designed to find out why anyone would revert to an older design, instead of upgrading to more modern systems. Creative reconstruction of systems are part of the quest to improve on what was designed at the factory some 40 years ago. Even the factory makes changes in the forward direction each year. But rarely back to older designs. I also put bigger, and better engines, in older cars...…… I's in my DNA

[tlbranth]

In the 70's chains were a real hassle. On my CB750 I'd oil it every 100 miles or so and usually adjust it then too. Oil was everywhere. Drive shaft seemed like a much better option. However, I much prefer chain drive now. The x-ring chains on my CB and my wife's Shadow are virtually maintenance-free. I squirt some chain wax on every few hundred miles and wash them off once every year. My wife's chain hasn't needed adjusting in the 18,000 miles or so she's had the bike and my 750 has been adjusted 2 flats total (1/3 turn of the adjusters) in 15,000 miles or so. It's a mechanically simple setup - drive shaft isn't.
Still, changing a GL to chain seems a bit over the edge.

[dontwantapickle]

I guess that some folks out there don't always take the easiest route.

Maybe, making the swap to a chain is just for looks, or to be different, or maybe the guy is just curious as to how
much work would be involved in such a project.
Whatever his reasons...... He has a question, and he came here looking for information.

Personally, I don't care if the guy wanted do it to put a prop on the back and run his goldwing like an air boat.
But, If I had any insight to share with him on this topic, I would.

[CYBORG]

my original question was not designed to belittle anyone, or their ideas. I'm a retired engineer, and I tend to look at most everything from an engineering point of view, how it was designed,...and how it can be improved. Just interested in his thinking processes.

[tlbranth]

my original question was not designed to belittle anyone, or their ideas. I'm a retired engineer, and I tend to look at most everything from an engineering point of view, how it was designed,...and how it can be improved. Just interested in his thinking processes.

Yes. Seems like the engine would have to be mounted somehow at 90 degrees from normal to keep the mechanics simpler. Otherwise some kind of ring & pinion would be needed for direction change.