Clutch/shaft spacing

[Clinton]

Do I need a spacer behind my clutch? The clutch is flush with end of the shaft, but there is a bunch of space behind it that the clutch could slip to. Do I put a spacer or washers or something back there to keep it from sliding back?

After looking at the pic, it looks like the brake drum is part of the clutch. It's an optical illusion. The brake is way lower. You can see the bolt head holding the clutch on.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

That's funny- I had to really stare at the pic to figure out what I was looking at...

It's fine for the clutch to site at the end of the shaft. You already have a large washer on there, which is good. If it makes alignment easier, you can install the clutch backwards (inboard) in most cases. The majority of clutches are bi-directional, meaning that they will operate in either direction.

As for the clutch sliding- does it have setscrews anywhere to retain it to the shaft? Some do, some don't. There are some people that say it is okay for the clutch to float on the shaft, that the chain will keep it positioned. I will not say they are wrong, because I don't think they are "wrong" per se- I just don't like things floating on a machined shaft. If it were me, I would install a collar to keep it from walking around.

 

[Clinton]

No set screws in it at all. I actually got the kart going today and after a 1/2 hr of use it hadn't moved, so I guess it's fine as is.