Any reason the enclosed chain drive never caught on other than the obvious?

[Justin]

And by obvious, I mean the fact that it was "ugly" and a lot of people buy bikes for looks.

For those that don't remember or haven't seen it - here's an example of the system used on the Virago back in the 80's.



Anyway, it seems to me that keeping the chain in an enclosed system filled with grease makes a lot of sense, and the longevity would be way more. Other than looks, the only issue I see is adjustments being a pita. I had totally forgot about these until someone mentioned them in a convo a few days ago.

[Mac]

Doesn't one of the newer BMWs have an enclosed chain?

[Justin]

Doesn't one of the newer BMWs have an enclosed chain?

Only the scooter that I have seen..

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcycles/2012models/2012-BMW-C650GT.htm

The secondary drive to the rear wheel is transferred over a roller chain with 72 links and 525 pitch. This runs fully encapsulated in the oil bath (750 ml SAE 90) and therefore needs very little maintenance.

[scottzilla]

Know what would be cool?   An exposed shaft drive.  

[SLK50]

Know what would be cool?   An exposed shaft drive.  

Like BMW or Yamaha?

[mxvet57]

Like BMW or Yamaha?

The only difference is the Yamaha doesn't fail.

[Justin]

Know what would be cool?   An exposed shaft drive.  

Scott would really enjoy an exposed shaft.

[JonS]

That drive looks just right with the ugly tail and seat.

[Papa Lazarou]

Most of the old utilitarian bikes had them-BSA, MZ, Honda CG125 and c90. Guess its a fashion thing.

[Gary B.]

I had that on an old ATC, though it wasn't bathed in oil. Let me totally forget about chain maintenance. By the time I got the courage to take it apart and look, everything was junk.

[stromgal]

HD had enclosed chain on two models in the 80s. Worked well enough, kept the gronk off the chain and the back end clean; the issue was the amount of time it took to change a chain/sprockets/tire.  And eventually the boots would crack and leak.

[radman]

An enclosed chain, with regular fluid changes, would last indefinitely.  

[caddydaddy]

An enclosed chain, with regular fluid changes, would last indefinitely.  

+1, look at how long the chains inside a automatic car transmission last.  I have 130,000 miles on mine with no breakage, yet!    

[JSharp]

I had that on an old ATC, though it wasn't bathed in oil. Let me totally forget about chain maintenance. By the time I got the courage to take it apart and look, everything was junk.

The axle bearings in those units would fail before the chains wore out.

[ConPilot1]

Just a thought about the pic of the Yammy posted.

It's amazing the direction Yamaha went with that motor/bike platform.

Looks like they had something cool there going and it turned into this eventually>

[SLK50]

Just a thought about the pic of the Yammy posted.

It's amazing the direction Yamaha went with that motor/bike platform.

Looks like they had something cool there going and it turned into this eventually>

Actually...they're different bikes. The bike in the OP isn't a Virago, its probably an XV920RJ.
ALL Viragos were shaft drive. 700, 750, 980 & 1100. The RJ was a 920 and only imported
for 2 or 3 years; 82 & 83 I think.

[Kraz]

Actually...they're different bikes. The bike in the OP isn't a Virago, its probably an XV920RJ.

Right - dude knows that.  He was talking about how the bike could have evolved into something awesome, instead, it devolved into that POS Viagra.