Roebling3

I have re-read my message, elizilla. I don't think I was proposing a regimen, but rather stating what has worked for me. I'm glad your experience with shaft drives has been so much better than mine. I still have 3 shaft drive bikes. None of them are the brand with which I had so much trouble. It was indeed fortunate for you to have a parts bike with a compatible, usable and free final drive. I doubt many are as lucky as you were. My comparison works for me, which was all I intended to say. It's based on 60 years of riding, more miles and bikes than I can count. R~

Yeah, I've heard this sort of thing a lot. After trying every regimen proposed by folks like yourself, replacing seven chains in six years, and after having to replace a chain in a motel parking lot 2000 miles from home in the middle of a cross country trip, I concluded that my mileage definitely varies. I believe I gave chains a very fair test, and they were not working out for me. The chain oilers were my last ditch effort to make my peace with chains and I think they work - I'll definitely use them again. As for having a shaft drive fail, well, I weathered one of those a few years back. Swapping in the final drive from a parts bike took less than an hour and cost me nothing. That was the only shaft drive failure I ever had, and I don't think that one would have failed if the moron who owned the bike before me hadn't run it for 30,000 miles with no grease on the splines - I found crumbly rust and lots of wear in there the first time I changed the rear tire. I added grease and they went another 50K before they stripped. My other shaft drive Hondas went over 100K and were killed by other things (crashing, dropped valve, bottom end failure), leaving me with final drive parts ready and waiting when I finally needed them. It's nonsensical to compare a shaft drive failure, to a single chain and sprocket set. You have to compare it to dozens of chain and sprocket sets, because that's how often they each happen. But if you're happy with your chain care regimen, more power to you! It all comes down to how much you ride and in what conditions, and what tradeoffs you are willing to make.

I don't typically throw wet blankets. Please forgive. I'm also way into simple is better. Plus I'm aged and would tilt the demografics of this illustrious list; should the number be known. With those caveats and outright pandering here is my general lack of chain maintenance, i.e. I semi-occassionally & every so often, spray WD-40 on my bike chains to retard rust. I do nothing else, other than adjustments. What works for me is O-ring/X-ring chains with their sealed at the factory lubricants. I typically get ~25k miles out of whatever chain and sprocket arrangement is on any given bike. For me this is good enough and fussing with the mess created by actual periodic chain maintenance is questionable. How long does your chain last compared to the next rider? Our data will vary relative to riding style, motorcycle, wheel alignment and environment. A question not asked, but perhaps pertinent to those believing a shaft drive is the way to go. "Low maintenance", many will say. Perhaps. But when something does go wrong, hang onto your wallet. Be close to a competent dealer. Pray that the parts are available. R~ Ducking and running.

I've not tried this but heard it's very good in terms of sound mellowing and long term endurance: http://www.anvilfire.com/sales/k_index.htm Another source for high temperature insulation material is McMaster-Carr. www.mcmaster.com Wrap your headers? Pack your exhaust can? Wrap your turkey fryer for off season work? B~

Gentlemen, others: I have a VFR but also 3 Guzzi's. 2 of your countrymen are traveling 'round the world on 1937 Nimbus motorbikes with side cars. The US Guzzi people nationwide are assisting in every way we can. If you do not know of them look at www.kccd.no They are wonderful guys proving that doing the impossible is great fun. You really do have a tunnel with a 180 degree turn in it. Yikes! Thanx for sharing the video. It's fabulous. Good fortune to each and everyone of you. B~