There was a discussion recently that I can’t find about shaft drives and why they hadn’t bern done before – so I thought people might appreciate this full-suspension shaft drive bike from 1910:

http://www.culturecycles.com/2012/01/1910-pierce-chainless-full-suspension/

Based on m/c’s, shaft’s are less efficient than chains.

If you have a clean drive chain ye not so if it dirty. I seem to recall its marginal at best.

Lovely looking bike that

lovely that. Some great stuff on there.

That is a beautiful machine.

so how far haven’t we come…fantastic

Yesss

I’m known to ride round with half a kilogram of cake in my bag, efficiency isn’t a main concern for me

Now that is one beautiful bike. Stunning restoration. I happened across a Pashley retro styled racer on ebay earlier and nearly bought it on the spur of the moment!
As for efficiency vs weight vs need, it would be good to try out a modern version, I love the thought of a gates belt drive hardtail but really like the thought of a shaft drive hardtail for ride and forget servicing.

If nothing else it is outstandingly pleasing on the eye!
I don’t think I would want to get it dirty………