Tom Reese <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >Mark Roberts wrote:
>> BMW and Motto Guzzi bikes are the same way. Still, bikes that use common >> oil supplies for engine and transmission are in the majority >> numerically. > >I hadn't realized that and I'm a little mystified by it. I don't >understand the rationale behind a design that allows potential chewed up >gear shards to reach engine bearings. It makes sense for race bike >applications but it seems inadvisable for street machines. > >The marketplace has deemed it to be a valid concept so I guess it is. Lower manufacturing cost and reduction in engine size/weight. And the fact that "chewed up gear shards" are almost in the realm of science fiction given the reliability of today's bikes. My FZR redlined at 14,000 rpm and the recommended valve clearance adjustment interval was once every 26,000 miles. Since I raced mine I adjusted the valves once a year and usually found only two or three that were out of spec. A typical bike these days will go 100,000 miles with only routine maintenance. This even applies to cutting-edge sport bikes if they aren't owned by testosterone-addled twits who end up crashing them to bits! (And surprisingly, many are ridden by older, more sensible riders.) I have no doubt my old 1986-technology sport bike can reach 100,000 miles before I ever need have a cylinder head off. -- Mark Roberts Photography and writing www.robertstech.com
