most ignored gearbox for four stroke

[Ksw]

Dax sells it and I think its very common in China.
Seems to be the cheapest and very simple. Two sprockets, a chain (or two) in a case (with some gear oil?)

I'd like to know the pros and cons
is it noisy?
easy to pedal with it?

anybody

Kev
Lurker of the year 2008, 2009, 2012

 

[GearNut]

From what I have read the DAX chain box is fairly good quality. Other than the outward appearance it has nothing in common with the dreaded Hoot chain box. DAX's is actually reliable.
I myself do not like the idea of a chain primary on a bicycle though. I prefer a belt.
This might have something to do with my knowledge and experiences with Harley-Davidsons though.

 

[Ibedayank]

Norton BSA Triumph all used a wet chain primary drive
seen many more problems caused by power shifting the trans...aka WOT shifting without using the clutch BLOWING up the trans and scattering parts all over the road then a busted primary chain thats serviced and checked as it should be

 

[Goat Herder]

That is a good point with some of these jack shafts.

 

[Ibedayank]

if designed and built correctly with no shortcuts it is possible to make them last a long time

double or triple roller chain...not using two POS made in china chains as a shortcut
the correct properly made and hardened sprockets
more then one bearing on a shaft so it does not wallow out the holes
should be a bearing on each end of the shaft
and seal it all up and run it in oil
yes they make clutches you can run in oil

 

[Ksw]

From what I have read the DAX chain box is fairly good quality. Other than the outward appearance it has nothing in common with the dreaded Hoot chain box. DAX's is actually reliable.
I myself do not like the idea of a chain primary on a bicycle though. I prefer a belt.
This might have something to do with my knowledge and experiences with Harley-Davidsons though.

I like the belt drive too,but the best benefit (for me) is that their quiet...
not that that matters on a Harley.

 

[The_Aleman]

I've had a belt-drive motorized bicycle running through a chain jackshaft for almost 2 years now. 1 belt and 3 chains, can get interesting.

It's always been quiet..well, when the motor's running. Can't hear the chains then lol

The jackshaft bearings are usually where trouble starts...

 

[Ksw]

if designed and built correctly with no shortcuts it is possible to make them last a long time

double or triple roller chain...not using two POS made in china chains as a shortcut
the correct properly made and hardened sprockets
more then one bearing on a shaft so it does not wallow out the holes
should be a bearing on each end of the shaft
and seal it all up and run it in oil
yes they make clutches you can run in oil

This post rules out the cheapie china one...
sigh, china is like the international lowest common denominator

 

[Ksw]

I've had a belt-drive motorized bicycle running through a chain jackshaft for almost 2 years now. 1 belt and 3 chains, can get interesting.

It's always been quiet..well, when the motor's running. Can't hear the chains then lol

The jackshaft bearings are usually where trouble starts...

I was wondering about the noise...thanks.
My motorcycle chain comes in loud in clear when I coast.

 

[motobike]

It's easy to pedal and is alot quieter than the rear chain. It uses thick grease. When I opened the cover, the grease was packed in one small spot, so I spread it on the dual chain and sprockets. It gets warm but not hot. Seems to work ok.

 

[Tad Bit Tipsy]

I've had the Dax dual chain box for two years now. I changed out the regular #25 chains for HD chains from Electric Scooter Parts, and then greased it up really good. I haven't had a problem at all. You can stick a mouse pad on the outer cover with some high temp glue, which I did at first. Now I'm in the process of creating a brushed metal look using sand paper and a Dremel!

 

[MotorBicycleRacing]

I've had the Dax dual chain box for two years now. I changed out the regular #25 chains for HD chains from Electric Scooter Parts, and then greased it up really good. I haven't had a problem at all.

Do you have a pic of the gearbox with the cover off?
thanks

 

[steampunk]

i stretched the chain pretty good with a really heavy bike and me (200lbs) up some really steep hills...ill be getting some half link pcs and hd chain for it..... thanx tad bit typsy for the source


(ive got a freind who has put a ton of miles on his dax box and has had no problems...and well to be honest he is pretty rough on it)

ive torn this thing down to bare parts...its a decent unit...especially for the price...i like the quality of bearings and such in it....

 

[MotorBicycleRacing]

i stretched the chain pretty good with a really heavy bike and me (200lbs) up some really steep hills...ill be getting some half link pcs and hd chain for it..... thanx tad bit typsy for the source
(ive got a freind who has put a ton of miles on his dax box and has had no problems...and well to be honest he is pretty rough on it)

ive torn this thing down to bare parts...its a decent unit...especially for the price...i like the quality of bearings and such in it....

That looks like a single chain box.
I thought that Dax was selling a double chain box?

How many miles did that much chain slop develop in?

 

[The_Aleman]

Definitely like to see more on this gearbox. Aside from Staton units, this appears to be the best in-frame gearbox for the tapered shaft engines.

Bang for buck notwithstanding. It's pretty inexpensive!

 

[steampunk]

i think the old ones were double chain,,,,this is the trans from the inframe trans setup...with the pitbike chain etc...i dd that in about 100 miles....but like i mentioned...my bike weighs a ton...ive been keeping up with 99 pred's and im a kite lol...im sure some hd chain will solve the issue no sweat....if your not touring...ie pulling a heavy load...or riding a heavy bike and weigh 200lbs plus...while mashing...uphill...chasing a pack of predators you will be totally fine...if the afor mentioned is the case...a couple bucks worth of hd chain (ill be trying the halflinks out too) will get you sorted out.......


im also in testing at the moment for making a tensioner for these boxes in conjunction with dax....depending on my results their may be a tensioner setup avail for this in the future...the puck idea works ok....but ive got a much better setup in r&d

 

[Desert Rat]

This is how I added an idler to my box
10-32 tap into cover with nut on each side locking everything in place
and a 3/16 Id by 1/2 inch od rubber hose auto grade seems to be
working fine just remember you don't want it to tighten chain just
take up slack!
Oh and I would have posted a pic of gearbox but it seems I've posted it
in another subject and they won't let me repost it here, ewwww!
I'm in trouble now LOL

 

[MotorBicycleRacing]

 

[azbill]

DR, is this is the mod you were telling me about on the phone ?
looks like a reasonable fix
how long does the rubber last before needing to be replaced ?

 

[wayne z]

This is how I added an idler to my box
10-32 tap into cover with nut on each side locking everything in place
and a 3/16 Id by 1/2 inch od rubber hose auto grade seems to be
working fine just remember you don't want it to tighten chain just
take up slack!
Oh and I would have posted a pic of gearbox but it seems I've posted it
in another subject and they won't let me repost it here, ewwww!
I'm in trouble now LOL

All you have to do to re-post a pic is click "Edit"
in the file location on your PC, and just change the size slightly. I do it all the time

 

[BigBlue]

A piece of Delrin tubing, rod or bushing may work better if the rubber doesn't hold up.

Good Luck,

Chris
AKA: BigBlue