transmission failure

[96kx5]

Have any of you guys heard of having transmission problems after converting your bikes to make them street legal?  My brother found a XR600 he wants to get and make street legal.  I remember reading in Dirt Rider magazine several years ago that somebody had a XR400 they made street legal and the transmission went-they were saying it was due to not having the "cush drive" in the rear hub that would "shock" the transmission upon acceleration and deceleration and cause it to fail.  I can't find anything on it.  I just don't want him to get it and then blow the trans.  Thanks.

[Danger4u2]

I think if it can handle the dirt it can handle the street.  When you fly over a hill on a dirt bike and hit the ground with the gas near wide open that's more of a shock to the trans. than taking off from a stop light.  My KLR 650 has a rubber dampening system.  The sprocket bolts to the part that fits into the rubbers in the hub.  The dampening system is to make a more comfortable ride for newbie's.  The rear wheel has a little "give" when you take off and stop.  I would have to say a dirt bike ridden only on the street would last longer than only ridden on the dirt.

[don46]

When using a dirt bike for the street they MAY not get enough lubrication for the extended high speed runs. I think Honda had problems on their 450, partially due to low oil levels and the extended high speed runs. If it were me I would probably run my oil levbel on the high side.

[96kx5]

Do any of the aftermarket conversion kits comes with the rubber damper?  I know all streetbikes I've had have it.  I didn't know if it was more a comfort thing or a necessity.  He's not concerned with whether or not it's a comfortable ride or not.  We've both ridden motorcycles for 15+ years.  He's never ridden my KX500 or my GSXR750.  He's never had a bike with as much power as the XR600- he couldn't beleive how fast it was when he test rode it!  I don't want to spoil it for him!

[Danger4u2]

I'm making my K5 street legal and I have no worries about not having the rubber damper.  I think it's a comfort thing.  I would tell your brother go for it.

[KXcam22]

I beleive it also takes some chain vibration away at speed. Cam.

[FactoryPhil]

When I upgrade my wheels I would like to try the hubs made by these guys 

http://www.radmfg.com/eqhubs.htm

They make offroad hubs with a cush drive.

[Desert Panther]

When I upgrade my wheels I would like to try the hubs made by these guys 

http://www.radmfg.com/eqhubs.htm

They make offroad hubs with a cush drive.

whoah!  that is badass!  I've never seen or heard of anything like that!  Thanks for the link FactoryPhil! 

[Danger4u2]

EQUALIZER CUSH DRIVE REAR HUB
For those large displacement machines that are hard on chains, sprockets, clutch, transmission and spokes, Consider our Equalizer Cush Drive Rear Hub. Incorporates rubber cush blocks between hub and sprocket to cushion those hard blows from engine torque to drivetrain. Proven in the Paris to Dakkar Rally on KTM?s.

And all this time I thought the cush drive was to make it easy on the rider.
Good link.

[FactoryPhil]

Yeah they look pretty sweet, but $$.  Wow six hundred something for everything. I think that the increased driveline damping is worth it though.

[96kx5]

Yeah that is quite a bit of $.  I told him it was up to him- the XR600 he found (haven't seen it so I don't know if it's a pos or not) is only $1500- main reason he wants it.  I think he'd be better off just waiting until he finds a KLR 650 or whatever the street legal Honda )XR650L?) is.  By the time he bought the cush drive and lighting kit he'd probably have over $1000 more into the bike.