band brake clutch

[billlaws]

Hi,
I've just built a minibike, it currently has no brakes and could do with one.

Its a 5.5hp with a 12 to 1 to give it heaps of power for towing mountain bikes and stuff. It works really well at the mo but would be great to have some stopping power.

It doesnt need anything too fancy. I am planning on a band brake aroung the centrifugal clutch. With the 12 to 1 ratio this would be powerful enough. However what i'm not sure about is bolding a brake onto the engine. It would definately be possible as there are tapped holes already on the side of the engine in about the right place which i could use.

What i'm really wondering is whether or not it is sensible to have the brake on the clutch.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

cheers

bill

 

[crazycart]

I wouldn't mount a band brake on the clutch, it can be done, but your clutch will burn up quick because of the heat the friction makes.Maybe try to mount some sort of drum the the rear wheel with a band?

 

[oscaryu1]

The heat made from braking wouldn't match up to the heat made during operation. Your pads would probably melt at those temperatures.

 

[billlaws]

cheers for the speedy replies,

Are parts available to put a brake on the 5/8" jackshaft?

I'd put one on the back wheel but im getting a bigger wheel that wont really leave room.

bill

 

[sayre315]

at northern tool brake bands are about $15 and you can get a brake band and drum for $20

and like alota people say the clutch will burn up pretty quick if you put the band on it

 

[847]

put a small disc break and rotor of the transfer bar ?
( one chain on left one chain on right thingy )

or a rotor and a mountain bike brake set on the transfer bar. i mean, looks like you can weld

 

[go kart mozart]

my go kart has a lawnmower flywheel brake strap that is tensioned over the clutch to stop. works well i guess but my clutch was already toast so i dont know. is a good idea and would work but premature wear could occur. being as light as a minibike is cmpared to my kart, id defenitely try it

 

[ed1380]

i agree with 847. put a disk brake on the jackshaft

 

[ironman]

brakes, man you don't need to buy a brake setup. just go to walmart 15.00 pair of boots and you will stop just fine
{the first few times}

 

[oscaryu1]

i agree with 847. put a disk brake on the jackshaft

If you have enough space, you can also use the sprocket as the disc... just need the caliper. Course then oil control is a problem.

 

[ironman]

disc brakes are so nice to have makes it so easy to stop on a dime.

 

[Jerryburger]

'Tis a Hefty Anchor and Sturdy Chain to fasten it with that you seek Matey! Arrrrrg!
....sorry. Pirate Talk. Couldn't resist.

 

[ed1380]

didnt know pirates had duct tape

 

[go kart mozart]

here u go!

heres what i did still works no probs i have had it that way for like a year now the cable is pulled to tighten up on the clutch houseing and there is a piece of small diameter rod bent up to hold the other end. its all very flexible

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Has anybody who is against it actually used a band around the clutch? I have seen it work, on a 250cc snow engine powered minibike with a cheap fun kart clucth.

 

[billlaws]

Hi,
A couple of months ago i fixed an old mountain bike v brake onto the engine so that it pressed onto the cluch when the lever was pulled. It works absolutely great and requires next to no force to stop the rear wheel turing because of the new 18 to 1 ratio.
Without the big ratio it would be relatively inefective but in this case it works great! I will get a photo of it and put it up soon.

 

[jr dragster T]

Good luck getting that rusted on clutch off!

 

[Russ2251]

Chain looks thirsty.

 

[go kart mozart]

rust?

actually its greased and keeps coming off!

 

[Cotmullion]

With a 12 to 1 gear ratio, what speeds do you hit?