DIY clutch idea.

[jeffo]

lets say that you had a design set up with 1 pulley on the engine, one on the jackshaft, an oversized belt, and a tensioning pulley you can opperate with a lever. I'm contemplating if this will work for a clutch set-up. Thoughts?

 

[augidog]

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5528&highlight=idler+clutch

early Whizzer's used an idler clutch, operated by a hand lever.

 

[r_chez_08]

Ok a kart this setup is cool, on a bike when you have minimal leverage and power with a plastic brake lever to pull the trampoline spring, its not so great.

 

[augidog]

well, i don't believe i ever saw a plastic lever used, but yes the point is valid...the low-power Whizzers used a fairly weak tension-spring & required fine-tuning, and were notorious for either slip & squeal, or idle-creep. the pic shows a new (centrifugal i guess) center-pulley upgrade that apparenty solves the problem.



i've ridden older Whizzers, the lever's not that bad...but i doubt if i would consider a hand-lever with the horsepower y'all deal with, & the strong tension-springs needed.

the early bonifide motorcycles (ie big engines, purpose-built frames & wheels) would usually use a foot-pedal for slip-clutch operation...

 

[Doc Sprocket]

lets say that you had a design set up with 1 pulley on the engine, one on the jackshaft, an oversized belt, and a tensioning pulley you can opperate with a lever. I'm contemplating if this will work for a clutch set-up. Thoughts?

It'll work. Don't be insulted- it's a great idea, but decades old. It's referred to as a manual belt tensioner and is quite effective when set up properly. Search our forum for "belt tensioner" and you should find some good examples.

 

[jeffo]

I just think it would be fun, and possibly more effective than clutches.

 

[oldbikerarlo]

Heres one I did last spring, I used the jackshaft as a tensioner, it was a bit hard to get adjusted but worked pretty good once I got it.