It took the OP longer to read this thread than it would take to to change the oil.
Should Oil Be Changed ?
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Originally Posted By: blupupher
don't forget the brake fluid.
The shaft drive fluid is super easy to change. Remove fill plug. Remove drain plug, let drain. Install drain plug. Add fluid till it dribbles out (leave bike on side stand when filling), install fill plug and drive.
Some will say when draining fluid to raise the rear tire or roll the bike back and forth a few feet to get all the fluid out. The fluid is so easy to change, just change it more often and don't worry about getting every drop out.
He's almost as anal as I am, which means he'll probably do the brake fluid last (where he can sit on a stool and flush it). Shaft drive fluid change is a cinch on those - best thing to happen to bikes since gasoline engines. He's coming from a belt drive Vulcan to the shaft drive shadow - a definite step up IMHO.
don't forget the brake fluid.
The shaft drive fluid is super easy to change. Remove fill plug. Remove drain plug, let drain. Install drain plug. Add fluid till it dribbles out (leave bike on side stand when filling), install fill plug and drive.
Some will say when draining fluid to raise the rear tire or roll the bike back and forth a few feet to get all the fluid out. The fluid is so easy to change, just change it more often and don't worry about getting every drop out.
He's almost as anal as I am, which means he'll probably do the brake fluid last (where he can sit on a stool and flush it). Shaft drive fluid change is a cinch on those - best thing to happen to bikes since gasoline engines. He's coming from a belt drive Vulcan to the shaft drive shadow - a definite step up IMHO.
Originally Posted By: HouseTiger
He's almost as anal as I am, which means he'll probably do the brake fluid last (where he can sit on a stool and flush it). Shaft drive fluid change is a cinch on those - best thing to happen to bikes since gasoline engines. He's coming from a belt drive Vulcan to the shaft drive shadow - a definite step up IMHO.
It's funny how the final drive divides so many people.
Each type has pros and cons, and have a place on different types of bikes.
For me, I love shaft drive. Yes I have a little less power and more weight than a chain or belt, but is quiet, dependable and aside from the need to change the gear oil from time to time (super easy on the Shadow and most others), no maintenance.
On a sport bike or smaller cruiser, a chain is preferable for me, since I could change the rear sprocket to change the gearing as well as have more power to the rear wheel.
Never owned a belt drive, but have ridden them, and they seem nice, but never had to deal with one for long term (heard they last a long time, but are a pain to change).
He's almost as anal as I am, which means he'll probably do the brake fluid last (where he can sit on a stool and flush it). Shaft drive fluid change is a cinch on those - best thing to happen to bikes since gasoline engines. He's coming from a belt drive Vulcan to the shaft drive shadow - a definite step up IMHO.
It's funny how the final drive divides so many people.
Each type has pros and cons, and have a place on different types of bikes.
For me, I love shaft drive. Yes I have a little less power and more weight than a chain or belt, but is quiet, dependable and aside from the need to change the gear oil from time to time (super easy on the Shadow and most others), no maintenance.
On a sport bike or smaller cruiser, a chain is preferable for me, since I could change the rear sprocket to change the gearing as well as have more power to the rear wheel.
Never owned a belt drive, but have ridden them, and they seem nice, but never had to deal with one for long term (heard they last a long time, but are a pain to change).
I love my Triumph like changing oil on a dirt bike. Easy access to oil filter/ plug and fill hole. Great!!
Can Am Spyder I would like to say you couldn't give me one of those unfriendly maintenance disasters but a guy did and I do.
What a nightmare of designing.
Can Am Spyder I would like to say you couldn't give me one of those unfriendly maintenance disasters but a guy did and I do.
What a nightmare of designing.
Originally Posted By: blupupher
It's funny how the final drive divides so many people.
Each type has pros and cons, and have a place on different types of bikes.
For me, I love shaft drive. Yes I have a little less power and more weight than a chain or belt, but is quiet, dependable and aside from the need to change the gear oil from time to time (super easy on the Shadow and most others), no maintenance.
On a sport bike or smaller cruiser, a chain is preferable for me, since I could change the rear sprocket to change the gearing as well as have more power to the rear wheel.
Never owned a belt drive, but have ridden them, and they seem nice, but never had to deal with one for long term (heard they last a long time, but are a pain to change).
I've had all three - chain drive Harley, belt drive Harley, then shaft drive Gold Wing 1200, a 1500, and Shadow. I agree, I'll take the shaft drive hands down. The chap who does my technical maintenance (beyond oil changes and simple stuff) and tire changes builds racing bikes up at Road Atlanta. As he explained it for racing bikes, the chain system is the only system strong enough to handle the power and stress of supercross type racing. Makes sense.
I'm told changing the belt on a Harley is as easy to finding a virgin in a Vegas casino. Kawasaki seems to have quite a simple method that doesn't require taking the whole rear end completely apart. Got a riding bud that has a Kawi Vulcan belt drive and I've ridden it - quiet, good response, etc. He's just recently come over from the dark side finding that garage queen I initially wrote this thread about. He's got the Kawi up for sale (what a surprise)
What I especially like with the shaft drive, when you replace a rear tire and remount the rear wheel, it is sort of automatically in perfect alignment. I outgrew Harleys when the 1200 Gold Wing came out and I took the plunge - that was the end of that.
It's funny how the final drive divides so many people.
Each type has pros and cons, and have a place on different types of bikes.
For me, I love shaft drive. Yes I have a little less power and more weight than a chain or belt, but is quiet, dependable and aside from the need to change the gear oil from time to time (super easy on the Shadow and most others), no maintenance.
On a sport bike or smaller cruiser, a chain is preferable for me, since I could change the rear sprocket to change the gearing as well as have more power to the rear wheel.
Never owned a belt drive, but have ridden them, and they seem nice, but never had to deal with one for long term (heard they last a long time, but are a pain to change).
I've had all three - chain drive Harley, belt drive Harley, then shaft drive Gold Wing 1200, a 1500, and Shadow. I agree, I'll take the shaft drive hands down. The chap who does my technical maintenance (beyond oil changes and simple stuff) and tire changes builds racing bikes up at Road Atlanta. As he explained it for racing bikes, the chain system is the only system strong enough to handle the power and stress of supercross type racing. Makes sense.
I'm told changing the belt on a Harley is as easy to finding a virgin in a Vegas casino. Kawasaki seems to have quite a simple method that doesn't require taking the whole rear end completely apart. Got a riding bud that has a Kawi Vulcan belt drive and I've ridden it - quiet, good response, etc. He's just recently come over from the dark side finding that garage queen I initially wrote this thread about. He's got the Kawi up for sale (what a surprise)
What I especially like with the shaft drive, when you replace a rear tire and remount the rear wheel, it is sort of automatically in perfect alignment. I outgrew Harleys when the 1200 Gold Wing came out and I took the plunge - that was the end of that.
Originally Posted By: HouseTiger
Originally Posted By: blupupher
It's funny how the final drive divides so many people.
Each type has pros and cons, and have a place on different types of bikes.
For me, I love shaft drive. Yes I have a little less power and more weight than a chain or belt, but is quiet, dependable and aside from the need to change the gear oil from time to time (super easy on the Shadow and most others), no maintenance.
On a sport bike or smaller cruiser, a chain is preferable for me, since I could change the rear sprocket to change the gearing as well as have more power to the rear wheel.
Never owned a belt drive, but have ridden them, and they seem nice, but never had to deal with one for long term (heard they last a long time, but are a pain to change).
I've had all three - chain drive Harley, belt drive Harley, then shaft drive Gold Wing 1200, a 1500, and Shadow. I agree, I'll take the shaft drive hands down. The chap who does my technical maintenance (beyond oil changes and simple stuff) and tire changes builds racing bikes up at Road Atlanta. As he explained it for racing bikes, the chain system is the only system strong enough to handle the power and stress of supercross type racing. Makes sense.
Pablum. Off the top of my head, the most powerful motorcycles sold do not use chains!
Quote:
I'm told changing the belt on a Harley is as easy to finding a virgin in a Vegas casino. Kawasaki seems to have quite a simple method that doesn't require taking the whole rear end completely apart. Got a riding bud that has a Kawi Vulcan belt drive and I've ridden it - quiet, good response, etc. He's just recently come over from the dark side finding that garage queen I initially wrote this thread about. He's got the Kawi up for sale (what a surprise)
What I especially like with the shaft drive, when you replace a rear tire and remount the rear wheel, it is sort of automatically in perfect alignment. I outgrew Harleys when the 1200 Gold Wing came out and I took the plunge - that was the end of that.
Depends on the Harley. Twin Cams are a major hassle, but a belt on an Evo is a half-hour job...maybe an hour on a bagger. And, of course, a drive belt lasts a LONG time, usually far outlasting a chain.
Originally Posted By: blupupher
It's funny how the final drive divides so many people.
Each type has pros and cons, and have a place on different types of bikes.
For me, I love shaft drive. Yes I have a little less power and more weight than a chain or belt, but is quiet, dependable and aside from the need to change the gear oil from time to time (super easy on the Shadow and most others), no maintenance.
On a sport bike or smaller cruiser, a chain is preferable for me, since I could change the rear sprocket to change the gearing as well as have more power to the rear wheel.
Never owned a belt drive, but have ridden them, and they seem nice, but never had to deal with one for long term (heard they last a long time, but are a pain to change).
I've had all three - chain drive Harley, belt drive Harley, then shaft drive Gold Wing 1200, a 1500, and Shadow. I agree, I'll take the shaft drive hands down. The chap who does my technical maintenance (beyond oil changes and simple stuff) and tire changes builds racing bikes up at Road Atlanta. As he explained it for racing bikes, the chain system is the only system strong enough to handle the power and stress of supercross type racing. Makes sense.
Pablum. Off the top of my head, the most powerful motorcycles sold do not use chains!
Quote:
I'm told changing the belt on a Harley is as easy to finding a virgin in a Vegas casino. Kawasaki seems to have quite a simple method that doesn't require taking the whole rear end completely apart. Got a riding bud that has a Kawi Vulcan belt drive and I've ridden it - quiet, good response, etc. He's just recently come over from the dark side finding that garage queen I initially wrote this thread about. He's got the Kawi up for sale (what a surprise)
What I especially like with the shaft drive, when you replace a rear tire and remount the rear wheel, it is sort of automatically in perfect alignment. I outgrew Harleys when the 1200 Gold Wing came out and I took the plunge - that was the end of that.
Depends on the Harley. Twin Cams are a major hassle, but a belt on an Evo is a half-hour job...maybe an hour on a bagger. And, of course, a drive belt lasts a LONG time, usually far outlasting a chain.
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
And, of course, a drive belt lasts a LONG time, usually far outlasting a chain.
So true - never had a chain drive that went over 25K before having to replace the sprockets and chain. Major pain in the bee-hind, that and constant lubrication of the chain. My friend's Kawi still has the original belt on it and it's over 80K last time I peeked at his clock. I'm still partial to the shaft drive - just cleaner lines I guess . . . to each their own.
And, of course, a drive belt lasts a LONG time, usually far outlasting a chain.
So true - never had a chain drive that went over 25K before having to replace the sprockets and chain. Major pain in the bee-hind, that and constant lubrication of the chain. My friend's Kawi still has the original belt on it and it's over 80K last time I peeked at his clock. I'm still partial to the shaft drive - just cleaner lines I guess . . . to each their own.
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