shaftdriven

Shaftdriven refers to a drivetrain arrangement in which power is transmitted from the engine to the wheels by a rigid driveshaft rather than by a chain or belt. The term is commonly used for motorcycles and for passenger or commercial vehicles, including many rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive designs. In automotive layouts, engine power passes through the transmission to a driveshaft that runs to a final-drive unit or differential, where gears redirect torque to the driven wheels. In motorcycles, a driveshaft connects the gearbox to a rear-wheel final-drive, with torque transmitted through a shaft housed inside a tube and coupled by joints, such as a single universal joint or a constant-velocity joint in some designs.

Key components typically include the driveshaft itself, bearings and seals, a final-drive gearset or differential, and the joints that accommodate suspension and steering movement. The system may be integrated with a hub or wheel assembly in the final drive.

How it works: power from the engine engages the transmission, the driveshaft rotates to the final-drive unit, and gearing reduces speed while increasing torque to the wheels. Joints allow angular movement between the connected parts without binding.

Advantages and drawbacks: shaft drives generally require less routine maintenance than chains, are less susceptible to derailment or fling-off of lubrication, and offer predictable low-maintenance operation in dirty or wet conditions. Disadvantages include greater weight and cost, more complex maintenance, and potential limits in efficiency or handling at extreme axle angles or suspension travel.

Applications and history: shaft drives are widely used in motorcycles and in many automobiles, particularly rear- and all-wheel-drive models. BMW and other brands popularized shaft-driven motorcycles, while cars employ driveshafts and final drives as a standard component of many configurations.