Cruiser Bike Drivetrain & Transmission Parts

Motorcycle transmission and drivetrain systems have their own peculiarities. Most bikes are equipped with a manual sequential transmission. Rather compact and lightweight, it perfectly transfers power and typically has five or six gears to shift using a foot lever. Meanwhile, such renowned companies as Honda and Aprilia try to change the game by offering models with a dual-clutch gearbox or a CVT, and they achieved considerable success. However, all the abovementioned systems are quite complex mechanisms that require regular maintenance or even repairs from time to time.

Most manual assemblies are robust enough, but over time, moving parts may start giving you trouble due to friction, corrosion, or mechanical damage. Problems with a lever, shift forks, and other components of the shifting mechanism can be accompanied with a worn-out clutch, gears, and bearings, giving the bike's owner a strong reason to make a total rebuild. In CVTs, belt replacement is arguably the most common procedure; besides the belt itself, a clutch holding/removing tool is needed, and such a job requires certain experience and skills.

When it comes to final drive, engine output can be transferred to the rear wheel in three ways – via the chain, belt, or shaft. The first way is the most widespread; it's efficient and reliable enough, although the chain tends to stretch, and sprockets also gradually wear out. Such a setup needs to be periodically tightened, cleaned, and lubed to last long; fortunately, there are plenty of corresponding tools and chemicals allowing you to easily and effectively remove old dirty grease and protect metal parts from moisture and rust. As for the belt, corrosion is not an issue at all. Considered to be a decent alternative to the chain, the belt needs almost no maintenance and works quieter and smoother.

The very early bikes used leather drive belts that didn't last long. Modern belts are way stronger and use special hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR) mixtures resistant to oil and heat, polyamide fabric for reinforcement, wear-resistant polyethylene coating, and other materials enabling these parts to last almost as long as the bike itself, though you may need to check and adjust the belt's deflection. Meanwhile, chains and sprockets are considered stronger than belts & pulleys and better withstand hard acceleration. Most high-performance and superpowerful motorcycles still use them, along with some custom two-wheelers where chains allow for installing different sprockets to match the output of a modified motor.

As for shaft drive, this mechanism is extremely durable and virtually maintenance-free, under the condition that you regularly change gear oil. While refilling the case, check for the presence of metal shavings in old oil, which can be the first sign of run-down gears. Also, there must be no leaks caused by faulty seals. In terms of performance, approximately 20-25 percent of torque is lost in this kind of drive, and the system is heavier than other setups, so there is no sense to install it in small-displacement and supersport motorcycles in which extra weight is undesirable. We carry quality aftermarket parts, chemicals, and tools for any of the abovementioned systems. While many components are factory-style replacements, others have a custom finish and are used for various upgrades.