Different Clutch options?

[Rage_Master]

Hey, I'm now to this forum but have had experience with karts etc. before previously, recently I've started building a frame for a new buggy, but I haven't welded in anything around the engine bay yet as I'm not sure what setup to go for. The main thing I'm not sure about is the clutch. Ideally, I'd like to have a foot operated clutch similar to a car, but I cannot seem to find any advice on doing this, nor anyone who has done so (and posted the results on the internet). I was thinking about some sort of belt clutch with an adjustable pulley so the belt can slip around when disengaged and is taught when engaged, but I'm not sure about the in's and out's - belt wear, how to hold it in and what belt to use, etc. If anyone knows about this or has any advice or alternative ideas, please let me know - Any comments or ideas would be greatly appreciated, and very helpful
many thanks for reading,
Tom

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Do a forum search on "belt tensioner clutch"- there's lots here.

 

[Rage_Master]

cheers, will do

 

[Paij]

It really depends on what engine you have and how big your go cart is. If you want to have a clutch petal like a car does you could get an old engine tranny combo out of a car and mount it to your go cart.

 

[r_chez_08]

Tensioners work fine for mowers and simple karts, but I would personally not encorperate a belt tensioner clutch into a full blown buggy unless multiple pullies or very large belts were used. Maybe you could use an electromagnetic clutch?

 

[Rage_Master]

ok, thanks for the replies, as i would like gears as well, i was considering getting a motorcycle engine, any comments or suggestions on what ones would be worth looking in to? and r_chez what sort of power system would an electromagnetic clutch require? i was only going to use a small 6v system for the starter.