"Bits of modern motorbikes that are antiquated" thread in "Motorbike Chat"
The prime example being the drive chain. Modern bikes have enormously impressive power figures, after years of intense development; we have innovations like slipper clutches ...

The prime example being the drive chain.

Modern bikes have enormously impressive power figures, after years of intense development; we have innovations like slipper clutches and fly-by-wire throttles; whilst allowing all the power to be delivered to the rear wheel by an invention that is a couple of hundred years old, i.e. the chain!!!!

It goes rusty, needs adjusting & lubing etc - all archaic practices when taken in context with other bike developments.

Yes there's shaft drive - OK, it weighs more, loses a bit of power and doesn't wheelie (!), but surely with modern materials like titanium etc. these issues can be overcome?

Or there's the Buell / Harley idea of kevlar belt drive - doesn't rust, needs minimal maintenance etc.

Perhaps it's time the manufacturers turned their attention to these practical issues rather than the relentless pursuit of more power.....

Disagree. They're still more efficient than a shaft and if properly maintained deliver very acceptable mileages.

For me its clutch cables. Hydraulic systems are much better and for road bikes don't add that much more weight.

Bits of modern bikes that are antiquated? The forks and the frames needed to secure them. Seat heights that have been inherited from the position needed to peddle a bicycle. 'Floating' calipers are fine on race cars buy require regular maintenance and have no place on a road vehicle. Exposed Victorian drive chains are indeed antique.

agreed.
i was going to say all that, but you just did.

Boxer twins are antique!

Name an engine layout, apart from rotary, which isn't.

Nothing wrong with chain drive, but why is there no rubber guard all around? ffs even MZ had that and the chains lasted forever then.

I think suspension, leaking seals are a pain in the arse. Security is another thing that needs serious looking at.

Also agree on the brake caliipers... sadly manufacturers dont give a damn if the bike lasts long and love you buying overpriced spares.

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Blitz0r'd ZZR1200 Heavyweight Power



HM Government Approved Road Pirate

Yep the basic principle is old... works bloody well though...

Steam engines are antique as well, but the same principle is used on a Nuclear submarine or
powerstation

The Enterprise's dilithium warp drive system.

Eggzackly! We haven't progressed much have we!

Forty-Two years old.

I think the most modern bike sold with a chain case was the TR1. Can anyone think of one that post dates that early eighties marketing failure?

As the biggest argument against Shaft drives as opposed to a chain is the weight, it always cracks me up as quite often the people saying this could do with losing a few pounds themselves..

Like the 1098 i saw last week covered in Carbon fibre panels and ridden by a big fat guy...

Idon't know. Shaft jacking is a pain that BMW, Guzzi and others have gone to some pains to solve.

Shaft Jacking ? sorry, don't know the term, do you mean the Torque action of the shaft?