eho35 and others.. Does the clutch go bad often?

[Roadkill]

I wondered how many clutches I would go through in an urban setting over a year or two? Still plotting my engine purchase. Also is Staton the best source for new motors out there? I would rather pay less than 200 but if that is the going rate I guess I will stick for a new one.

[Bikeguy Joe]

I can only comment of the frame mount type....the clutches are very stout, when used as they should be.

[Roadkill]

I bought the kit from bikemotorparts.. I am willing to accept suggestions as personal messages for the other. I would probably use thread lock to keep bolts from loosening if possible. Also for the clutch.. I will be towing 300 pound loads from time to time and probably using a 7/8 drive pin.

Thanks

[Bikeguy Joe]

Good luck.

If you use the clutch as intended, it will last virtually forever....if you plan on using it like a motorcycle, or automotive clutch, it won't last quite that long. Can't comment on how it would do pulling you, a bike, and 300 extra pounds, it may slip.

[happyvalley]

Originally Posted by Roadkill

I bought the kit from bikemotorparts.. I am willing to accept suggestions as personal messages for the other. I would probably use thread lock to keep bolts from loosening if possible. Also for the clutch.. I will be towing 300 pound loads from time to time and probably using a 7/8 drive pin.
Thanks

The Robin clutch is fine and should offer miles of service.....under normal use.

When you say towing 300 lbs do you mean in addition to bike and rider weight?
Because if you do I would not consider that normal use, that is a load. I don't know what type terrain you're going to cover but besides needing some phenomenal brakes you might find a 35cc a bit underpowered.
I have that same setup and for me at 190 lbs plus bike, no other load, I have to pedal to get rolling to 10 mph not to really bog and labor the engine.

The Honda GHX50 has a 3 shoe clutch and obviously more power.

Another substantial issue with such a load besides the clutch slipping will be the spindle slipping on the tire.

BTW, with the drive you mentioned, I'm curious how ya going to get a 7/8" spindle when the smallest they now have is 1"?

[Roadkill]

Originally Posted by happyvalley

The Robin clutch is fine and should offer miles of service.....under normal use.

When you say towing 300 lbs do you mean in addition to bike and rider weight?
Because if you do I would not consider that normal use, that is a load. I don't know what type terrain you're going to cover but besides needing some phenomenal brakes you might find a 35cc a bit underpowered.
I have that same setup and for me at 190 lbs plus bike, no other load, I have to pedal to get rolling to 10 mph not to really bog and labor the engine.

The Honda GHX50 has a 3 shoe clutch and obviously more power.

Another substantial issue with such a load besides the clutch slipping will be the spindle slipping on the tire.

BTW, with the drive you mentioned, I'm curious how ya going to get a 7/8" spindle when the smallest they now have is 1"?

I believe but am not positive staton offered a 7/8. The place I purchased from does not. I am going to get a 1.5 and a 1" for starts. I am planning on going slowly in increments with the weights and will go front and rear if I have to. an empty trailer I can personally pull pretty fast and I have pulled a washing machine full size with a stainless drum, and 200 pounds of misc on a trailer this past summer with 1 or two flats. I found that tires want to go flat or look flat under such pressure.. Finally my derailer cracked off the aluminum frame (of all things)!!! I can still tow with the Gary Fisher but must attempt an aluminum repair of the derailer and do an overhaul of the entire bike first. Looks loke the GHX50 is a top contender at the moment. I like this forum a lot and plan on showiing you what a bike can do for people when your down and out and innovated. I won't be down and out for long. I might be the new UPS in town!

Thanks for the tip!!

[Roadkill]

Oh yeah.. My friend also has a knurling attachment on his lathe. I might be able to customize some stuff.

[Roadkill]

Originally Posted by Bikeguy Joe

Good luck.

If you use the clutch as intended, it will last virtually forever....if you plan on using it like a motorcycle, or automotive clutch, it won't last quite that long. Can't comment on how it would do pulling you, a bike, and 300 extra pounds, it may slip.

Thanks Joe! I think I might end up with dual engines or some kind of funky trailer invention. I will keep everyone posted this spring and summer. I want one of those video head sets like bear grillis? has or survivorman!! I swear I see some strange stuff riding on black ice these days.

[happyvalley]

Originally Posted by Roadkill

I believe but am not positive staton offered a 7/8. The place I purchased from does not.

Correct but they are not interchangeable, I have both. Also the bikemotor parts kit has seriously lessened the build quality now, it was machined, extruded aluminum and now has been cheapened to thin steel plate.

You can tow what you like. Bicycles are used to pull loads all throughout the third world and have been doing so for years. A human rider is able to generate far more torque starting a load than any compact bike engine ever could. Just don't expect some 35-50cc gas engine that peaks torque at 5000 rpm to be a diesel tractor.

[fm2200]

Hi Happy Valley, Some of these guys trying to get a John Deer quality hp from a little, almost toy like engine to do heavy duty chores. The components in my opinion, are just not that industrial, to allow day after day hauling of rider and goods on all types of roads and grades. My experience has been that running a 40T with an 80cc at 20 mph when approaching an small incline the bikes speed drops of immediately my weight being 185lbs. Does this sound as though it would have any chance of real pulling power from a dead stop. You have to put at the very least a 50T sprocket to engage in this farmer like hauling set up of 300lbs.