Yesterday I switched from the torque converter I had on my drift trike (https://www.oldminibikes.com/forum/projects-and-rides/142503-drift-trike-build.html) to a Hilliard's Extreme Duty Clutch #35 12T 3/4". The reason for this was I kept popping the chain off. I believe this was caused by 2 things. The design of the driven pulley bracket had too much flex in it and the clutches didn't release fast enough when the trike spun around fast and the wheels went backwards. It seemed like a centrifugal would simplify things and solve both problems.
I needed to move the engine left about 1.5" so the chain would line up and with that I was able to put the centrifugal on. I also swapped from a 58T sprocket on the axle to a 53T so I wouln't loose too much speed compared to the ratio I had been running with the torque converter (17T/58T). I did lubed the bronze bushing before using the clutch. I actually lubed it outside by the snap ring and inside the housing.
At first it just didn't seem to want to go. It was hard to tell but it looked like the shoes weren't expanding enough to engage so I adjusted the governor. That seemed to help and I was able to ride but it didn't seem great. I then read the directions better saw where the clutch needs to float a bit on the crankshaft. Instead of finding the right spacers to make that happen I just let it ride with no bolt in the crank. Again it seemed just ok, but not really responding like I expected. Then I noticed it was smoking pretty good so I shut things down.
I'm new to centrifugal clutch. All my other bikes have torque converters so I'm not sure what I've done wrong. Engine is a Tecumseh HM80. It's on 10 tires with the PVC sleeves of typical drift trikes and currently a 12T/53T gear setup. I don't know if the gear ratio is too steep. Was oiling the inside of the housing a mistake that got a little oil on the shoes and ruined them? How important is it that the clutch floats? Have I ruined it by getting it hot? The shoes and springs aren't stuck but they are discolored compared to out of the package.
I needed to move the engine left about 1.5" so the chain would line up and with that I was able to put the centrifugal on. I also swapped from a 58T sprocket on the axle to a 53T so I wouln't loose too much speed compared to the ratio I had been running with the torque converter (17T/58T). I did lubed the bronze bushing before using the clutch. I actually lubed it outside by the snap ring and inside the housing.
At first it just didn't seem to want to go. It was hard to tell but it looked like the shoes weren't expanding enough to engage so I adjusted the governor. That seemed to help and I was able to ride but it didn't seem great. I then read the directions better saw where the clutch needs to float a bit on the crankshaft. Instead of finding the right spacers to make that happen I just let it ride with no bolt in the crank. Again it seemed just ok, but not really responding like I expected. Then I noticed it was smoking pretty good so I shut things down.
I'm new to centrifugal clutch. All my other bikes have torque converters so I'm not sure what I've done wrong. Engine is a Tecumseh HM80. It's on 10 tires with the PVC sleeves of typical drift trikes and currently a 12T/53T gear setup. I don't know if the gear ratio is too steep. Was oiling the inside of the housing a mistake that got a little oil on the shoes and ruined them? How important is it that the clutch floats? Have I ruined it by getting it hot? The shoes and springs aren't stuck but they are discolored compared to out of the package.
