Disc Brake/Sprocket Combo

[Donald E. Jones]

I read somewhere about using the sprocket as a disc brake rotor. I always think the simpler, with fewer parts one can use on a mechanical device, the more elegant and reliable the result. I was planning on trying this, but began thinking about oil from the chain on the sprocket, and now have doubts about doing this. Has anyone here tried this, or is it impractical?

Don Jones

 

[OzFab]

A lot of riding mowers use the sprocket as a brake disc but, they travel at around 5mph...

The biggest issues you face are, as you said, oil/grease from the chain affecting the brake pads & clearance in the caliper to clear the chain, both in width & depth. If you use a solid sprocket & you can find a caliper deep enough, you should be ok...

 

[mckutzy]

If you can use a sealed chain. You will have less problem with the grease/oil on the "sprotor".
Also make sure your caliper can float easily as the rotor cant.

 

[Donald E. Jones]

I am in the process of rebuilding an old Percival. It actually appears in the few pictures I have seen of these go karts, that this is the method originally used. At this time, my go kart has the brake rotor attached to the left hand hub, and the caliper will indeed clear a sprocket drive chain as it is quite deep and seems to have been designed to work like that. I want to mount my engine in the L/H position, so this where I need to attach the sprocket.

Don Jones

 

[mckutzy]

Post a pic of this machine.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Post a pic of this machine.

 

[Donald E. Jones]

Here are the only pictures I have of it. As you can see, my granddaughter approves of it!

Don Jones

 

[Donald E. Jones]

Got some more pics.

Don Jones

 

[OzFab]

That caliper appears to be a good candidate, if it does the job; it has a nice deep throat to clear the teeth. The biggest problem you face is mounting it low enough to clear the chain...