Old Honda G200 Clutch

[RockysGoKart]

Hi, I have a very old Honda G200 from A old commercial Johnson Kart. I recently took the gear reductor off in order to put a clutch on. I’m pretty sure the Honda drive shaft is 20mm, does any know of any cheap clutches that will work, I have found some on amazon. Just wanted to get others opinions first! I am also converting it to chain drive. I am pretty new to small engines, so I am looking to learn. Below are pictures of the engine before and after the gear reductor was removed.

 

[JimD]

Ok, you now have a METRIC shaft and it is slightly shorter than a standard shaft that will not fully support the clutch. The clutch has to be shorten to fit the crank. I have the same engine here in the shop and I will go out and do some measurements. The thing you have to do is make up your mind what chain size you are going with. Either put a 72 rear sprocket in the #35 chain or a 60 tooth in the #41 chain. Let me know from the ground to the top of the tire what the height is.

You have to go with a clutch because you will NOT find a torque converter to fit the crankshaft because it is an odd ball.

 

[JimD]

Ok, just took off the clutch to give you the correct info. it is 20mm OD and is 50mm long and uses a metric bolt to hold on the clutch. Once you figure out the sprocket you are going to use then we go from there on what it will cost. Tire size will tell me if the clutch will work or not.

 

[RockysGoKart]

Ok, just took off the clutch to give you the correct info. it is 20mm OD and is 50mm long and uses a metric bolt to hold on the clutch. Once you figure out the sprocket you are going to use then we go from there on what it will cost. Tire size will tell me if the clutch will work or not.

Thank you very much for your help. I don’t know yet what sprocket I will use, I am assuming I will use the 72 with #35 chain. I am not at home right now, but as soon as I am I will send a picture of the tire. I found my order email, the tires are 145/70x6.. Again, thank you very much for your help.

 

[JimD]

If the rear tires are only 13" from the ground to the top of the tire then the clutch will work fine. I don't need a picture just verify with a tape measure ground to the top of the tire. Where are you located- what state.

 

[RockysGoKart]

If the rear tires are only 13" from the ground to the top of the tire then the clutch will work fine. I don't need a picture just verify with a tape measure ground to the top of the tire. Where are you located- what state.

Pennsylvania Thank you.

 

[RockysGoKart]

If the rear tires are only 13" from the ground to the top of the tire then the clutch will work fine. I don't need a picture just verify with a tape measure ground to the top of the tire. Where are you located- what state.

Just measured them. They are 14.5 inches. Would that clutch still work?

 

[Denny]

Why not just get a new wet clutch? It will work the best on that engine and probably last the longest.

 

[JimD]

The metric shaft kind of limits him on the wet clutch, the one that was in the gear box had a 2:1 reduction in it.

Hopefully you are on some of the flat land in PA but if you are in the hilly area you just might have a problem with a dry clutch. The gear ratio you better shoot for would be 12 tooth on the clutch and a 84 tooth sprocket on the axle. If you can get a 96 that would be better yet but DON'T go any smaller than 84.

Did you throw away the 2:1 gear reduction unit or do you still have it? It is worth trying to salvage the unit and use the wet clutch that is in the unit and then put a sprocket on the pto shaft going down to a 53 tooth on your axle. Those wet clutches Honda builds can take a lot of abuse. They are on concession karts and those get the crap beat out of them.

 

[Denny]

The metric shaft kind of limits him on the wet clutch, the one that was in the gear box had a 2:1 reduction in it.

Hopefully you are on some of the flat land in PA but if you are in the hilly area you just might have a problem with a dry clutch. The gear ratio you better shoot for would be 12 tooth on the clutch and a 84 tooth sprocket on the axle. If you can get a 96 that would be better yet but DON'T go any smaller than 84.

Did you throw away the 2:1 gear reduction unit or do you still have it? It is worth trying to salvage the unit and use the wet clutch that is in the unit and then put a sprocket on the pto shaft going down to a 53 tooth on your axle. Those wet clutches Honda builds can take a lot of abuse. They are on concession karts and those get the crap beat out of them.

Jim that’s what I said. You can get the parts aftermarket now for the wet clutch. Heck you can even get kits for other engines now that never had that option in the first place.

 

[RockysGoKart]

The metric shaft kind of limits him on the wet clutch, the one that was in the gear box had a 2:1 reduction in it.

Hopefully you are on some of the flat land in PA but if you are in the hilly area you just might have a problem with a dry clutch. The gear ratio you better shoot for would be 12 tooth on the clutch and a 84 tooth sprocket on the axle. If you can get a 96 that would be better yet but DON'T go any smaller than 84.

Did you throw away the 2:1 gear reduction unit or do you still have it? It is worth trying to salvage the unit and use the wet clutch that is in the unit and then put a sprocket on the pto shaft going down to a 53 tooth on your axle. Those wet clutches Honda builds can take a lot of abuse. They are on concession karts and those get the crap beat out of them.

I do live in pretty hilly land. The reason I wanted a dry clutch was to get more speed, because my max speed was around 28mph down a big hill. I will go see if I can salvage my wet clutch. I will do some research to see if I can find a cheap 20mm 12tooth clutch. What tooth clutch do you have on your engine? Thank you.

 

[RockysGoKart]

Why not just get a new wet clutch? It will work the best on that engine and probably last the longest.

I guess I shouldn’t have taken it off, I will see if I can salvage it.

 

[JimD]

I have a 12 tooth going to a 72 rear sprocket but I only have 12" slicks. I drive it on blacktop and flat as a pancake.

You got hills and large tires working against you. I would swap the engine out and put on a Predator and then get the torque converter. A lot less headaches and then you are done. What you end up with will give you plenty of fun and it is saleable because you did it right.

 

[RockysGoKart]

I have a 12 tooth going to a 72 rear sprocket but I only have 12" slicks. I drive it on blacktop and flat as a pancake.

You got hills and large tires working against you. I would swap the engine out and put on a Predator and then get the torque converter. A lot less headaches and then you are done. What you end up with will give you plenty of fun and it is saleable because you did it right.

I would prefer to keep the current engine, but if worst comes to worst I will try and sell it. I’ll see if I can find any cheap predators. Do you not think its worth keeping the engine and buying a clutch and sprocket?

 

[panchothedog]

The advice given to you by JimD is really how you ought to proceed. Probably the best way to buy a Predator engine is brand new. Comes with a warranty,
and it's not somebody's used hatchet job. They are dependable as h#ll. I have owned 4 of the 212cc's, and one 301. Haven't had a problem with any of them.

 

[JimD]

Tossing good money out the window. The clutch will ONLY fit that Honda with the metric crank. The tire size is definitely working against you. If you can pick up some rear tires that are only 12" tall then the clutch is the way to go but sticking with the 14 1/2" tire you will burn up the clutch. If you get the tires then get the 72 rear sprocket and your ratios then will be correct.

 

[redflash]

Right now, at my local harbor freight the 6.5 hp 212 is priced at $149.00. ( limited time sale) I think they are clearing them out and the 224 will be the new bottom of the line.

Da redflash

 

[RockysGoKart]

The advice given to you by JimD is really how you ought to proceed. Probably the best way to buy a Predator engine is brand new. Comes with a warranty,
and it's not somebody's used hatchet job. They are dependable as h#ll. I have owned 4 of the 212cc's, and one 301. Haven't had a problem with any of them.

I’ll look for one when a sale pops up at Harbor Freight. I have my Honda G200 now listed on Facebook Marketplace.

 

[RockysGoKart]

Tossing good money out the window. The clutch will ONLY fit that Honda with the metric crank. The tire size is definitely working against you. If you can pick up some rear tires that are only 12" tall then the clutch is the way to go but sticking with the 14 1/2" tire you will burn up the clutch. If you get the tires then get the 72 rear sprocket and your ratios then will be correct.

I agree. The tires I currently have are brand new. I do have 12” tires but they are just track slicks. Ill keep looking for a Predator 212, because I think I can get most of the money back by selling the Honda.

 

[RockysGoKart]

Right now, at my local harbor freight the 6.5 hp 212 is priced at $149.00. ( limited time sale) I think they are clearing them out and the 224 will be the new bottom of the line.

Da redflash

Yes, my harbor freight is having the same sale. I will continue to see if I can find any coupons, because that is a little out of my price range.