Motorcycle drive device with adjustable backlash

A method for adjusting a backlash of a motorcycle drive device, the motorcycle drive device including an internal combustion engine with a crankshaft configured to output a drive power and a transmission with a transmission housing, the transmission being configured to transmit the drive power from the internal combustion engine toward a drivable wheel, the transmission including a transmission input shaft arranged on a transmission input shaft axis and configured to receive the drive power, a primary gear wheel arranged on the transmission input shaft, a primary pinion arranged on a primary pinion axis and in engagement with the primary gear wheel, the primary pinion being configured to transfer the drive power from the crankshaft to the primary gear wheel, a transmission input shaft bearing arranged concentrically with the transmission input shaft, and a bearing plate configured to receive the transmission input shaft bearing, the bearing plate including an adjusting mechanism between the bearing plate and the housing, the adjustment mechanism being configured to change a position of the bearing plate with respect to the transmission housing such that an axial spacing between the primary pinion axis and the transmission input shaft axis at the primary pinion and primary gear wheel engagement location is changeable, comprising the acts of;

• determining a starting backlash between the primary pinion and the primary gear wheel;
• adjusting the position of the bearing plate with respect to the transmission housing to a nominal position corresponding to a predetermined nominal backlash.