CHAIN AND SPROCKET

EXPLAIN CALCULATIONS INVOLVED WITH WORKED EXAMPLES Chain Length Calculation

The following equation may be used to determine the chain length required for any twosprocket drive.

where: C = Shaft Center Distance in pitches, L = Length of chain in pitches, N = Number of teeth in larger sprocket, n = Number of teeth in smaller sprocket, = 3.1416, A = Value from table below tabulated for values of N-n, P = Pitch of chain.

Calculation of shaft centers

The following formula is useful in determining the approximate centers in inches for chain lengths in pitches already determined.,

And the other calculations

EXPLAIN EFFICIENCY OF EACH SYSTEM

In order to perform a comparison between the designed drive shaft and existing chain drive systems it was necessary to calculate the efficiency for a chain drive system of the same ratio and dimensions. As it is envisaged that an internal gearbox will handle the need for multiple gears in the drive shaft system only a straight chain drive system will be considered, i.e. one where the chain runs between two sprockets without the use of a derailleur or tensioner. It should be noted that the derailleur system itself induces further losses in efficiency due to a number of factors, namely: additional sprockets, misalignment, chain tension and exposure to elements and that it may be beneficial to compare these to the losses resulting from an internal gearbox. The method used to calculate the efficiency of a chain is that developed by S. C. Burgees [Ref 11] It is assumed that the most significant source of energy loss, in the chain drive system, is that of sliding friction within the links. Friction will occur, between the chain link pin and the chain sleeve, during chain articulation under load as the chain engages or disengages with the sprockets as shown in Figure 1 [Ref 12].

Figure 1 - Chain schematic (S. C. Burgees - Improving cycling performance) Gear Ratio (Gear Ratio) (Radius of smaller sproket) (Radius of pin) (Coefficient of friction at pin sleeve interface)

(Chain Efficiaency)

EXPLAIN POSSIBLE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS 1-Noisy drive Improper chain tension (too much or too little) Insufficient lubrication Misalignment of sprockets Mismatching the size of chain with the sprocket size Chain striking other parts of the motorcycle Sprockets worn Chain worn Wear, failure or misalignment of other components of the drive (guides, tensioners or swing arm bearings).

2-Chain vibration or whipping Excessive chain slack Misalignment of sprockets Tight joints Non uniform wear of chain or sprockets

3-The chain jumps the sprocket teeth Excessive sprocket wear Excessive chain elongation due to wear Improper chain tension (too much slack) Misalignment of sprockets Misalignment of guides or tensioners Bent, damaged or wrong size sprockets Foreign material between chain and sprocket pockets

4-Wear on the inside plates of chain, wear on one side of the front sprocket and on opposite side of rear sprocket Misalignment of sprockets

5-Tight joints in the chain Excessive chain tension Insufficient lubrication

Misalignment of sprockets Chain corrosion, rust Wrong choice of chain (too weak for the engine power) Failure of O-Rings Wrong assembly of rivet link or connecting link Foreign material (sand, mud) in the chain joints

6-Failure of chain pins, rollers or bushings Excessive loads, heavy shock loads (for motorcycles without cushioning in drive train) Excessive sprocket wear or damage Excessive chain elongation due to wear Improper chain tension Insufficient lubrication Misalignment of sprockets Misalignment of guides or tensioners Mismatching the size of chain with the sprocket size Front sprocket with less than 15 teeth Foreign objects between chain and sprocket

7-Failure of chain linkplates Chain strikes or rubs against parts of the motorcycle Excessive chain tension Foreign objects between chain and sprocket Misalignment of sprockets Wrong choice of chain (too weak for the engine power) Corrosion due to battery acid, fuel or other chemicals

SHOW SUITABLE METHODS OF SECURING TO DRIVE SHAFTS A shaft drive is quiet and requires little maintenance; an occasional drive-shaft oil change is all that's necessary to keep a shaft drive in good shape. Because the shaft on a motorcycle is enclosed, it is cleaner and protected from dust and road debris. A shaft is heavy and adds weight to the motorcycle. Shaft drives do not transfer power from the engine as efficiently as a chain, and they can also be subject to an elevation effect under acceleration. Drive shafts are another common method used to move mechanical power around that is sometimes evaluated in comparison to chain drive; in particular shaft drive versus chain drive

is a key design decision for most motorcycles. Drive shafts tend to be even tougher and more reliable than chain drive, but weigh even more (robbing more power), and impart rotationaltorque. Virtually all high performance motorcycles use chain drive, with shaft driven arrangements generally used for many non-sporting machines. Toothed belt drives are used for many lower power motorcycles.