Clutch question

brandon danke · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 5:41 pm Post subject: Clutches

Are we slower in the esses than most tracks?
It seems like our revs drop enough to where the clutch may start disengaging before the right hander, putting more wear than on a faster track...

Carl Cottrell · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 6:30 pm Post subject:

The clutch engages at ~3000rpm or at least it is supposed to and I don't think you slow down that much.

The only time I spun a clutch off was at Moroso. I think it was because I kept running up on the curbs in the esses and basically do what Rick was describing - 'shocking the clutch.'

mark sheffield · Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 15 Score: 182

My clutch did the same thing race before last at Bakers Creek. It only spun going through the technical just as you get on it hard before starting up the hill. I would have to baby it or it would spin all the way up and over the hill. I pulled it off, cleaned and lapped it, then re-installed. (I used locktite as well). So far, no slippage at all during last race.

clarence · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:50 pm Post subject:

I like the idea of heating it up before installing it, that sounds like the way to go.
_________________
Mr. Sideways

Darrin Tebbe · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 10:40 pm Post subject:

I can see the engineering design meeting now..

Executive 1: "Forget the key, without it they will spin clutches and trash the crank"

Executive 2: "And we sell more cranks!"

Executive 3: "Brilliant!" Beer

Don't feel bad, Briggs has done it for years to the 4 cycle guys. Tanks and Carbs, Carbs and tanks.

DT

Rick · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 7:45 am Post subject:

The good thing about the clutch situation, if there is one, is that the clutch hub is softer than the crank, so the hub loses the taper and has to be replaced not the crank. I wish it were the other way, I would be doing a lot more engine work. This is beating a dead horse, but, the problem when a clutch spins, you have to get an entire assembly, to be Rotax legal. There is a company that sells just the hub, but, it is not legal..... if that part ever gets teched there may be an issue.
And never, never heat the hub before assembly, the other possible issues are endless with that.

RS

Carl Cottrell · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:49 am Post subject:

Gary Head · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:17 pm Post subject:

Well here's a new one for any of the Rotax guys who have spun a clutch and thinking it may be "shocking" the clutch in the esses or whatever.
As you all know I've only run one race this year and that was back in April I think.
The kart is kept in my garage and the coldest it has been in the garage is 54 degrees. I've averaged starting the kart at least once ever two weeks basically to get my fix from the smell of the fuel Laughing

I did so just last week and all was well,let it run for 3-4 minutes as usual,shut it off and all was fine. Then yesterday went to start the thing and the CLUTCH HAS SPUN !

%^#*!
By the way the engine and clutch has only 15 hours on it....... go figure
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Gary
Monarch Racing
ROTAX #23 CRG

KevinFrench · Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:59 am Post subject:

That's exactly what happened with mine. I had never even had my clutch off of the motor before. I showed up at the track, hit the starter button and heard that sickening sound of dollar bills being sucked out of my wallet.
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Rotax Masters
Kosmic Mercury #602

Seeley · Joined: 06 Oct 2008 Posts: 263 Score: 2948