clutch vibration

[JH Pinoy]

Ive been riding my go kart for a week and a half with new clutch and chain. Now my problem is with my clutch. Idle speed is fine with the clutch but as i accelerate the clutch vibrates really bad. Then as I reach past 15mph it stops. Is there anything I can do to fix this.

Go Kart
-325 lbs with me on it
-18" rear tires
-10t clutch
-#40 chain
-60t sprocket on axle
-Greyhound Engine 6.5 HP

I dont really know what happened to the clutch. I used to ride the go kart with no problem. It goes really fast too. 32 mph

 

[Gokarts4Life-11]

I'd say that your putting to much stress on the clutch, what type of kart is it? On road, Off road etc...?

 

[JH Pinoy]

Its an off road go kart.

 

[Gokarts4Life-11]

Ya that's your problem, your putting to much stress on the clutch causing it to slip and overheat. Either lower your gear ratio, or buy a torque converter.

 

[JH Pinoy]

well if i do buy a torque converter will that allow me to go to a higher gear ratio with no problems? like instead of 6:1 ratio prob go 5:1 or even 4:1

 

[Gokarts4Life-11]

how fast do you want to go?

 

[dave1701]

A 6:1 gear ratio (which you have) with 18" tires and off road is REALLY, REALLY pushing it. My kart did terrible off road with 15" tires and a 6:1 ration. With your tires, it is definitely putting too much strain on the clutch. You need a bigger axle sprocket or a jack shaft. This will reduce your speed, but it is necessary. Either that or a Torque converter, which run at about $200.

 

[Gokarts4Life-11]

Agreed^^^

 

[jeremybentham]

Lube your dang clutch bushing.

 

[JH Pinoy]

well can I put 14" tires instead? will that help?

 

[Bluethunder3320]

i have the exact same setup and tires and gearing in the kart thats in my avatar pic.

its alot lighter than 325 with me in it though so i dont have any problems other than the clutch seems to get a little hotter than the clutch on my warrior.

EDIT: is the chain skipping over teeth on the clutch? i cant see how a clutch can vibrate at any circumstance.

my old scrap mini bike's clutch had the chain skipping links over it and eventually all the teeth rounded off. the chain was too loose and out of allignment.

are your sprockets allighned near perfect?