Why is the shaft drive on GS hinged?

[ELIMINATOR]

So.....why is it hinged? I've always assumed that it has to be, due to the amount of rear suspension travel. Only reason that I've asked is related to this http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120642

The link within this refers to the shaft drive design being better than others, in that backlash is less

Clonky-clonky springs to mind when comparing the GS to my current Yamaha Diversion, or my old Kawasaki Eliminator, which were both one piece units. Neither of which had iffy seals or paralever bearings to wear out.

OK, pivoted would be a better word than hinged.

As I'm here, what is the point of single sided swinging arms? Only seems to be for looks, as it means that bearings lead a shorter life. (so I've read on here not that.........no, I won't tempt fate.)

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

Keeps the wheelbase constant,

 

[ELIMINATOR]

Then why don't all the other manufactures do it? Or is it too expensive for little benefit?

 

[davedyer]

The paralever set up is to cancel the tendency for the swing arm to push down and rise the back of the bike up under acceleration.

The hinge (pivot) is necessary so that the control arm doesn't lock the swing arm up as it would form a rigid triangle without the pivot.

See here for more info.

 

[ELIMINATOR]

Thanks for that Dave, interesting read. Incidentally I'm just the other side of the M27.

 

[ianboydsnr]

Yamaha must have just got lucky with the divvie 900 then

 

[ELIMINATOR]

Or is it the case of finding an answer to a question that didn't exist?

Much like general comments about torque reaction on shaft drive bikes, which I've always (rightly or wrongly) thought was more related to BMW or Guzzi engine layout?

 

[ciderman gs]

shaft drive bikes i have owned cx500 and xs1100 which raised at the back end when throttle open then squatted like a bugger with throttle shut this also then decreased/increased the trail/castor angle on the front end which is interesting in corners paralever/telelever are supposed to separate the accelerating/braking forces from the steering thus making bike more stable in corners and safer for us humans to ride so that we do not become a stain on the road.

for me sod it just ride it

andy

 

[ianboydsnr]

shaft drive bikes i have owned cx500 and xs1100 which raised at the back end when throttle open then squatted like a bugger with throttle shut this also then decreased/increased the trail/castor angle on the front end which is interesting in corners paralever/telelever are supposed to separate the accelerating/braking forces from the steering thus making bike more stable in corners and safer for us humans to ride so that we do not become a stain on the road.

for me sod it just ride it

andy

this is the point from Eliminator, the diversion 900 a much simpler design built to a budjet, no single sided swing arm, manages to neither raise the back end or squat off the throttle, is less clonky and more reliable, maybe they were lucky, but lucky on the Fjr1300 also


you can say what you like about divvie 900, but there is nothing comparable on the market atm, you have to buy either a 700 from honda or something 1200 or 1300

can you tell i have one as well as the Gs1150

 

[ELIMINATOR]

this is the point from Eliminator, the diversion 900 a much simpler design built to a budjet, no single sided swing arm, manages to neither raise the back end or squat off the throttle, is less clonky and more reliable, maybe they were lucky, but lucky on the Fjr1300 also


you can say what you like about divvie 900, but there is nothing comparable on the market atm, you have to buy either a 700 from honda or something 1200 or 1300

can you tell i have one as well as the Gs1150

What a man of taste you are,& so eloquently worded, fortunately for you.....I'm not