I rode Racie's 212 Predator bike with the TAV2 yesterday and man, was that a blast.
Plenty of HP's that's for sure but what really interested me was the difference between a centrifugal clutch and a torque converter.
On a cent clutch you have a fixed sized bell and out drive gear ratio, the inner clutch spins out with with RPM and grabs the inside of the bell to make you go.
A torque converter has a split 'smart' pulley with angled sides that constricts with RPM and load so as it constricts with higher R's the gear ratio goes up. This is the TC2's explanation...
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The TC2 provides Neutral engagement at Engine Idle.
At 2200 RPM, the system engages for a Powerful Low Ratio for great takeoff speed.
At Mid Range, the TC2 instantaneously shifts ratios based upon RPM and
Load Requirements.
Finally, the High Performance Over drive engages for maximum speed
Neutral
The Belt is not engaged at idle effectively placing the TC2 in neutral
Low
As the engine
throttle is applied, the Driver Pulley begins to engage 2200 RPM. The Drive Belt engages the Driven Pulley at it's largest diameter. This is Low
Gear position.
Mid Range
As the RPMs increase, the Driver Pulley flanges continue to contract forcing the belt to a larger diameter. This action depends upon RPM and Load. If
the load is increased, the process is reversed, forcing the belt to a smaller diameter. This process allows the TC2 to raise and lower the ratios as required between high and low.
High Overdrive
At maximum RPM, the Driven Pulley becomes fully open allowing the smallest possible diameter. At the same time, the Driver Pulley flanges are fully closed
forcing the belt to its maximum diameter. This is High Gear Overdrive position
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That should take some of the sting out having no drive gears if it don't chew belts.