How did I do this to my clutch???

[CSB]

I've destroyed my clutch. The first attached picture shows the bushing ripped up. In the second picture (I apologize for the focus) you can see that it appears the that teeth have been slightly rounded. Is this a sign that my chain was too tight? It was a bit loose originally, causing the chain to come off so I tightened it a bit. Too much? How do I know I have the right tension?

The other two pictures show how the clutch is secured on the end of the engine's drive shaft. I'm using a bolt with a fender washer to keep it on. Is it possible this is somehow a problem?

Any ideas on what may have contributed to this? I'm new to this stuff so don't assume I'm not doing something really dumb.

Thanks.

 

[klicky96]

Many things can cause this, too tight of a chain will definitely cause this. You should have a little bit of slack in your chain, especially because of how close it is to the drive sprocket.

 

[anderkart]

I usually adjust a half to 3/4 inch of chain slack. If your chain falls off adjusted like that, chances are your sprocket isnt lined up with your clutch, or your engine is slightly twisted in its mount.

Have you been oiling your clutches bushing?

 

[CSB]

It may have been a combination of the chain being a bit tight and a mis-alignment of the sprocket and clutch. I noticed when I took the chain off that it appeared that the sprocket had moved slightly on the axle.

The new clutch is on the way. I'll make sure everything is aligned and that there is a bit more slack in the chain and hope for the best.

The clutch bushing should have been well oiled.

Thanks.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

A word on oiling- Don't go crazy. Too much, and there's a chance it will eventually get on the friction surfaces, causing excess slippage. One or two drops of engine oil on the bushing every couple hours of operation is plenty.

 

[exenos]

I have the same clutch and i knocked two teeth of of it and it sill runs fine. It's too bad the bushing came apart or it probably would have been fine. And just as a suggestion, get a idler pulley/sprocket and put it on a lightlyspring loaded arm on the bottom of the chain to act as a tensioner, take up slack and reduce the chance of this happening again.

 

[klicky96]

I have the same clutch and i knocked two teeth of of it and it sill runs fine. It's too bad the bushing came apart or it probably would have been fine. And just as a suggestion, get a idler pulley/sprocket and put it on a lightlyspring loaded arm on the bottom of the chain to act as a tensioner, take up slack and reduce the chance of this happening again.

He has absolutely no room for a tensioner. Plus, by the distance the chain travels to his wheel, he will not need a tensioner. There is maybe 2-3 inches of room from sprocket to clutch by looking at the pics. If he just added a half-link, or loosened the chain up a little, he would be fine/

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Definitely no tensioner required here. Add an offset (half) link, and if it's a little too slack, shim the engine up just slightly using some sheetmetal strips or washers between the engine and mounting plate.

 

[klicky96]

Definitely no tensioner required here. Add an offset (half) link, and if it's a little too slack, shim the engine up just slightly using some sheetmetal strips or washers between the engine and mounting plate.

This is how I always do it. I'm not a huge fan of half-links, but I do use them sometimes, or I just throw another link into my chain and raise my engine with spacers/washers.

 

[exenos]

I was just suggesting something that worked for me. It looked like there was more space for the chain to travel when i was reading this last night and looking back washers/ shims do seem like the better idea.