Smoking Clutch

[Decon]

So i took my kart out for the first time today and road it a bit. The clutch was smoking and i realize i have it geared too low. Its at a 1:5 ratio right now. Would making it 1:6 fix my flamin clutch? The back tires are 15 inch my clutch sproket is 12 tooth and im 150 pounds. The karts really light and there are no hills around here to worry about

 

[B man]

umm do you mean 6:1?

 

[devino246]

Hes got everything backwards. Ratio is too high right now, needs to lower it to 6:1.

 

[Decon]

lol yeah 6:1 its been a long day

 

[Russ2251]

How many teeth driven sprocket and what size chain?

 

[B man]

12 tooth. read whole post.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

12 tooth. read whole post.

Uhh, Bman- Russ asked about the driven.

The OP said 5:1 with a 12T drive, so I will assume 60T, but let's verify that.

 

[B man]

Uhh, Bman- Russ asked about the driven.

The OP said 5:1 with a 12T drive, so I will assume 60T, but let's verify that.

oops. thought that meant the sprocket on the engine. Oh well another thing learned!

 

[Russ2251]

If it is 60, then is too small for that size tire.
It happens far too often that folks speak of overheated clutches.
The understanding of ratios appears to be the problem.
I can understand a very warm clutch, but not so hot that it can not be handled.
Once a clutch has smoked it has been damaged.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

If it is 60, then is too small for that size tire.
It happens far too often that folks speak of overheated clutches.

I can understand a very warm clutch, but not so hot that it can not be handled.

The understanding of ratios appears to be a problem.

It is.

 

[Decon]

ya i relize it was geared too high. Do you guys think making it 6:1 will take enough torque or watever off the clutch? Or should i gear it even lower

 

[devino246]

ya i relize it was geared too high. Do you guys think making it 6:1 will take enough torque or watever off the clutch? Or should i gear it even lower

closer to 7:1 to be safe.

 

[Decon]

ok i ordered a 72 tooth sprocket and ill probibly get small tires as well. Thanks for the advice

 

[r_chez_08]

Should be fine. I had 5.8:1 approx with 14" and a centrifugal clutch.
However with a torque converter I am running 5.8:1 and 19" and a 6.5 with no problems yet.

 

[Decon]

I might get a tc down the line once i get the kart working right. Lately tho its been problem after problem, i need to fix my steering now as well. I have a turnbuckle with a hole through it attached to the steering arm that comes off the steering rod. Then i just put allthread in it all the way to the spindle arm and bent it, slipped it in, and theres way too much wobble in it. Plus the allthreads too flimsy and bends when i turn past 20 degrees or so

also i think im gonna put in the ackerman angle

 

[Russ2251]

I use 72 tooth driven sprockets for my 11" diameter tires, if that helps.

 

[devino246]

If your steering is bad enough, it could have made it harder to move the kart and played a part in your smoking clutch.

 

[Decon]

Probibly didnt help yeah. I got it all fixed up now though. Just waiting for the sprocket to arrive