What is a chain drive engine? What is chain drive on a bike? How does a chain drive work? What is the purpose of a chain drive? What is the speed of chain drive? Does bike chain affect speed? Why do bikes use chains instead of gears? What are the disadvantages of a bike chain?
Which is better belt or chain drive? What are the failures in chain drive? What is the function of chain drive? Find more about the chain drive on a motorcycle.
What is Chain Drive on a Motorcycle?
Chain drive is a mechanical power transmission process in a motorcycle. It transmits the power from place to place. Actually, it provides power to the motorcycle’s wheels. You may find in the bikes that a chain connects a pair of sprockets. It actually drives the rear wheel of a motorbike. This is the most common type among 3 variants.
How Does a Chain Drive Work on a Bike?
A metal chain connects the transmission and rear wheel in this system. When the motor runs, the output shaft spins. As a result, it will pull the chain. And eventually, the back tire will run. There are O-ring types and X-ring types.
What are the Advantages of Chain Drive Engine?
The benefits of the chain drive bikes are:
- Most efficient option in terms of power transmission. Only 1-4% transmission loss is observed.
- Chain drives feature simple functioning.
- Works well in wet conditions.
- Able to handle exposure to the oil, grease, or sun.
- Comparatively light weight.
- Very very cost-effective.
- Cheap to generate and hence manufacturers prefer.
- The replacement option is also easy & cheap.
What are the Disadvantages of Chain Drive?
- The biggest con of a chain drive is if the chain gets completely snapped, it will cause a serious accident and fatal injury. Although it’s very rare, but there is always a little chance for it.
- Chain can easily slip out of place. In those cases, realignment is required.
- Needs frequent tightening and lubrication. Otherwise, may face damage.
- Prone to be fickle.
Why Do Motorcycles Use Chain Drive?
There are some definite reasons why the manufacturers choose the chain drive in most motorcycles. Those are:
- 98% transmission with the fewest amount of losses.
- Fairly durable
- Compactness
- Easy replacement facility
- Provides easy changes to gearing.
What is the Alternative to Chain Drive?
There are some alternatives to chain drive which can be seen in a motorbike. Those are:
- Belt Drive Engines: A belt having teeth or grooves in its inner side and connecting the 2 pulleys. The belt is made of strong synthetic material and is similar to rubber.
- Shaft Drive Engines: Features a shaft that has a connection to the gearbox output through a universal joint.
Is Chain Drive Better than Shaft Drive?
Chain drive is better than shaft drive in terms of power transmission success and cost-effectiveness. Chain drive does the most efficient power transmission, almost 98%. While, in shaft drives the transmission loss is heavy. Chain drives are also cheap to produce and hence users get the bike at a cheaper price while shaft drive production is costly and increases the pricing.
Well, on the contrary, shafts are of longer lifetime and maintenance free. They also work the smoothest way and are risk-free. In those perspectives, shaft engines are better. But still chain drives are an overall better option and manufacturers and users prefer the chain drive.
Is Chain Drive or Belt Drive Better for a Motorcycle?
Belt drives are even easier to maintain. They are also lightweight. Even a well-maintained belt drive on a bike can last up to 100 thousand kilometers. Belt drives also don’t require frequent cleaning or tightening. They also work more smoothly as well.
But in the belt drive system, the power loss is more. It can be up to 9-15% which is much more compared to chain drives. So, the chain drive system is more efficient. Moreover, belt drives are more expensive to generate and chain drives win in terms of cost-effectiveness as well. Belt drives also can’t withstand intense stresses. And importantly, the belt drives aren’t suitable for powerful bikes with heavy torque.
How Long Do Chain Drives Last?
In a motorcycle, a chain drive lasts for around 10k to 60k kilometers. However, it mainly depends on the usage and maintenance. On average, a bike’s chain may last for 20-30k kilometers. Belt drives last longer comparatively. Shaft drives are almost for lifetime usage.
