Comet Industries Closed !!

[Jdominique]

I guess we won't be able to get Comet torque converters anymore. Here is the closing announcement:

http://www.pal-item.com/article/200...omet-closes-doors--putting-dozens-out-of-work

 

[EagleTalons]

But they have such a demand for their converters! How could this be!

 

[Russ2251]

But they have such a demand for their converters!

May only seem that way because we deal with this stuff every day.
But on a national or even global level, the numbers just aren't there.
My guess is that some one will pickup on the (perceived) demand for TAV's and continue production on said units. I'm betting that China or India will become part of the mix.
My 2¢.

 

[Rickracer]

That's what I'm afraid of, prices would probably drop, but so will quality, and another job and more $$$ go overseas.

 

[freakboy]

well this is "change" that i dont want! no way ima feed a comi owned buisness!

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

This can all be traced back to lawyers.

Liability BS(caused by lawyers) causes the fun kart industry to die down.

Briggs pulls out of fun karts on liability(due to lawyers).

Modern tecs suck.

Remaining kart manufacturers become importers, bringing in cheap Chinese buggies with Chinese made scooter powerplants, complete with CVTs.

Comet has no market.

Comet goes out of business.

 

[anderkart]

Maybe someone will buy the Comet division from Hoffco. I think theres enough torque converter demand for Comet to totally downsize and just specialise in selling converters and jack shaft componets. They could just sell direct on a made to order basis. I'd imagine the Comet factory still has some inventory parts to get started. Maybe just a couple guys in someones garage... get the ball rollin.

Someone should send Comet a link to these threads, right about now they really need to know we want to buy their product.

 

[jr dragster T]

Doesn't bother me much, I won another Polar clutch this summer so my kart is getting the Polar clutch like the one on my dragster. I knew about 3 weeks ago comet was going to close just from there lack of customer service and sales. Like Russ said the numbers just aren't there. I told many people here about 3 weeks ago when Commet wasn't shipping much out and they where most likely going down and no one believed me.

 

[Jdominique]

Doesn't bother me much, I won another Polar clutch this summer so my kart is getting the Polar clutch like the one on my dragster. I knew about 3 weeks ago comet was going to close just from there lack of customer service and sales. Like Russ said the numbers just aren't there. I told many people here about 3 weeks ago when Commet wasn't shipping much out and they where most likely going down and no one believed me.

Good Lord! I just looked up the price of a Polar clutch...$650!

Not very practical for the yard cart kind of guy.

 

[jr dragster T]

That's at the cheapest. Look at the Polar Pro. But I can tell you one thing, It's worth every penny. The adjustablity, consistancy, Hard hitting clutch. Its more for a modified motor though as the lowest engagement spring available is around 3000 RPM.

 

[newrider3]

Doesn't bother me much, I won another Polar clutch this summer

Because that is definitely what everyone needs on their yard kart or mini bike.

 

[jr dragster T]

Not saying everyone needs one. Just saying Comet was a good company and that's all my local TSC, Princess Auto ever carried and I probably wont be able to buy another Centrifugal clutch/converter locally anymore. As I said not like I would need another one though.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Maybe Max Torque will pick up the CVT market?

 

[r_chez_08]

http://cgi.ebay.com/MAX-TORQUE-CONV...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1e58c52f62 max torque?

 

[AlphaRunner85]

so this sux really bad! we just got a gx390 and the only torque converter that i can
find with the jewels to handle the motor EVEN STOCK just went out of buisness. any suggestions?

 

[Imabrat]

Newbie question. Does Max-torque not make torque converters with the same capabilities as the comet one's? Also, how does Max-torque compare to Comet quality wise? I'm just getting ready to purchase a couple of 5 to 6.5 HP motors for me and my son's first attempt at building a go kart and will probably pass if there are no reasonably priced alternatives to the Comet TC's.

 

[Rickracer]

The TAV is mostly a fun or yard kart thing, most race karts use a regular centrifugal clutch, which works fine for a lot of yard karts too. I wouldn't pass on the project just because Comet isn't around any more, there are alternatives, and a lot of the Comet stuff will still be around for quite some time. Ebay, craigslist, etc.

 

[r_chez_08]

http://www.bmikarts.com/shop/?cart=1922617&cat=168&PHPSESSID=fc476a3af365769ad075d66b0f8a3a30
still some here, quick get them b4 they are gone!

 

[Russell ATV]

Earlier this year, I found a TAV2 clone in China. I purchased one for test. It has worked well. However, I tested the waters to see if there was much of a market, and even at $110, there was no real interest.

I think Comet was selling them for around $185. It is a tough market if the only buyers are hobbiest. Comet fail from the lack of a consistent commercial customer base. Most likely, like the Honda engines, Comet was creating the parts out of China for assembly in the US. So, like Honda, the clones are nearly identical, and the extra cost of their product hurt their sales.

Russ
Russell ATV

 

[ckelp]

i bet if you try to sell them now you'd get a different response i would definitely buy one, two if i'm a good boy..

how did you get a hold of a test one i've e-mailed them a hundernd times with no response..
me and my buddy where going to buy a container of them