Rear drive cushion

[djorgensen3]

Has anyone removed or modified the rear drive cushion? I come from riding old Harleys and like the solid hookup at the rear sprocket. I would like to just get rid of a possible maintenance issue. Is there any performance to this possible modification?

 

[chevelle]

i would not touch it,that cush makes life a lot easier on everything in the drivetrain,years ago some would drive finnish nails into the rubbers to firm it up

 

[nitrousjunkie]

Leave it alone, that harley stuff is old hat, it makes for a much smoother engagement, trust me!

<!--EDIT|nitrousjunkie
Reason for Edit: None given...|1119134132 -->

 

[Krieg]

You don't want to alter your cush drive, unless of course you wish to destroy your rear wheel.

 

[fstbusa]

your cush drive makes your tranny not explode..... very forgiving on the drive train.

 

[bigdr]

Leave well enough alone..

 

[djorgensen3]

Why would it damage the wheel? Lots of bikes don't have this cushion and they don't damage the wheel. Why do drag bikes not have this?

 

[Krieg]

Drag bikes are running racing slicks that have very thin side walls on the tire and when launched the wheel and sidewall rotate in the tire shell and absorbes the impact. I can look for one of my old drag racing photos that clearly shows this. I still  ran a cush drive on my pro bike though, btw, and managed to break a welded racing crank shaft in two along with the intake and exhaust cams at Woodburn dragstrip. Only when I went to a car tire chassis did I go to a solid wheel, and then there is even more flexable sidewall to absorb the impact, not to mention I was running a MTC slider clutch. A fixed wheel on a bike as powerfull as the Busa with a street tire is going to destroy the wheel, tranny and eventually the crank shaft and head.  Here is a photo of the slick on my old Pro Mod to illistrate the difference. You can always give it a shot though and let us know how it turns out.



<!--EDIT|Krieg
Reason for Edit: None given...|1119285717 -->

 

[djorgensen3]

Thank you for good reason not to remove the cushion.

 

[Krieg]

No problem.

 

[gsteve]

how long b4 you should replace them?

 

[Krieg]

how long b4 you should replace them?

Drive cushons? That would have a lot to do with how you ride but it should take you a long time to wear a set out. I have seen ones that were in ten year old wheels that were still good. If you pull your own wheels when you change tires you can always pull them apart and check for signs of wear. Or ask your dealsership to do it when you change tires.

 

[djorgensen3]

Should they be lubricated or should they be dry?

 

[Cecil_Stringer]

how long b4 you should replace them?

Check them every tire change... I have made it a habit to assume they need to be replaced with the rear tire.
They're cheap and easy.. a little PM goes a long way.

 

[pure_ego]

geez!!

your changing your cush drive out every 2,000 miles?

haha how much you want for one you took out?

I may change mine too... only got 13,000 miles on it now..

I do check it.. but it shows very little wear so why fix it?

thats like changing your oil every 200 miles, and the chain every 500.

 

[busa9]

Harley did'nt get it right the first time and they still dont get it right now!!!!! The cush drive is on there for a reason and unless you have a degree in aerospace eng. why would you even ask this question!!!!!