My SuperDuper Magna Is Finally Done!!!!

[LIMagna]

I have to admit it is rather fun, though, to customize the bikes to our own tastes.  Just don't add up the cost of all the mods, or it will be somewhat depressing...

  The nice thing about doing it this way though is that you don't have to do everything at the same time.  I personally don't care that I'll never get back what I've put into it ... that's a fact of life with just about all motor vehicles anyway.  As you point out, we do it for the enjoyment of the process.

[Smoked U]

I would take a lot of additional pictures of this build. Hoot is right on. Contact Honda when this animal is finished and see if you can get them interested. You never know.

It seems to me that many of the changes to the 3rd gen bikes were done to control costs, and allow the product to be introduced at a price that would attract new riders.  I know that the chain drive is more efficient than shaft drive, so one gets a bit more power to the rear wheel.  It is also much cheaper, and ups the maintenance cost.  The front brake is now one disk instead of two.  Yes, with sintered pads and stainless steel lines, one can achieve good front brake performance, but with the soft front springs, who would want to?  And don't even get me started on the cheap, chopped chicken feather stock seat.  Nearly all the 3rd gens I know about have been modified at owner's expense to address these obvious shortcomings, while most of the first gen bikes I see are stock.

The mods that Chokse made are super, but they would price the bike where only the serious, well informed riders would be in the market space.  Honda engineers may cheer, but the marketing types who run any successful production company would veto every one of them.

I have to admit it is rather fun, though, to customize the bikes to our own tastes.  Just don't add up the cost of all the mods, or it will be somewhat depressing...

You mean the marketing types that approved the Valkyrie Rune and the Fury? Those marketing types???

Honda will wake their butts up one of these days and sneak a few things in. Why not send them an idea. Save some engineering costs.


By the way, how is a chain drive more mechanically efficient than a shaft drive? I must have missed that in physics class. I understand cost savings.

[lragan]

By the way, how is a chain drive more mechanically efficient than a shaft drive? I must have missed that in physics class. I understand cost savings.[/color]

Complex topic with lots of different opinions.  An interesting thread is here:

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=125414

There are references to gear to gear efficiency in this thread, but they do not address change of axis.  The necessity to change axes in both the transmission and the final drive are what cost the efficiency in shaft drive.  The differences are not great, but chain is generally better, and belt drive is better still.  In practice the belt drive wins hands down, because of lubrication deficiencies in the other two drives.  (All the numbers quoted are for well lubricated drives, and the belt drive doesn't require any.)

I lost the link to a comprehensive study of chain drives that I quoted in a previous post, which was the basis for my statement.

[Smoked U]

By the way, how is a chain drive more mechanically efficient than a shaft drive? I must have missed that in physics class. I understand cost savings.[/color]

Complex topic with lots of different opinions.  An interesting thread is here:

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=125414

There are references to gear to gear efficiency in this thread, but they do not address change of axis.  The necessity to change axes in both the transmission and the final drive are what cost the efficiency in shaft drive.  The differences are not great, but chain is generally better, and belt drive is better still.  In practice the belt drive wins hands down, because of lubrication deficiencies in the other two drives.  (All the numbers quoted are for well lubricated drives, and the belt drive doesn't require any.)

I lost the link to a comprehensive study of chain drives that I quoted in a previous post, which was the basis for my statement.

Ah So. Change in spacial axis. Ah see. Also rise in temperature of components in oil bath. Yes, fascinating.

But don't sprocket chain setups work only in planar configurations. How would you change an angle of axis with a chain setup? You would need to convert to angle cut gears, yes? Same thing with belt drives, Si?

Of course belts have to generate some heat from friction on cogs (I guess). I figured they were quieter. Gear drives on camshafts are loud (another indication of energy lost, creation of sound waves, maybe?).

Thread makes good sense, though. Thanks for the link.

How can I make some money from this knowledge? Must mix Kahlua in no fat milk, consume and contemplate. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.

[lragan]

Well, with the chain drive on the Magna, there is no need for axis change, since the rear wheel and the engine both turn in the plane of the frame.  Hence the chain drive, (or belt drive -- I am tempted, if the conversion was not so expensive), is a simple transfer mechanism.

As for belt drive expense -- I have never done the analysis, but expect the "payoff" is in excess of 70,000 miles.  Hope I live long enough to ride that far...

[jamracing]

Hey there, I know this topic is a little stale, but can I get some specs/pix for the CBR wheel swap? Thanks.

[hootmon]

Hey there, I know this topic is a little stale, but can I get some specs/pix for the CBR wheel swap? Thanks.

You could try to PM the original poster.. He does not visit very often.

[admanajw]

It is a shame the link no longer works, does anyone have any photos of this build? I am very curious.

(apologies for bringing this old thread to life)

[hootmon]

It is a shame the link no longer works, does anyone have any photos of this build? I am very curious.

(apologies for bringing this old thread to life)