Hoot Gearbox Success Story?

xlite · #1 06-25-2009, 09:17 AM

After hearing all the horror stories about the Hoot Gearbox and promos of the expensive alternatives I'm curious if ANYONE has got reasonable use out of one.

The 4-stroke is supposed to be more reliable than the HT kits but those gearboxes, even the Grubee, seem to fail so often it looks like the opposite is true. I have 4 of them in boxes and wondering if it's worth even attempting a stock install. I'd like to hear about success stories more than tales of woe. Anybody?

HoughMade · #2 06-25-2009, 11:54 AM

Wish I could say different, but I have never heard of a long term success story with the Hoot. The engine (HS-142) seems solid, but the gearbox seems to fail in many ways: teeth broken, clutch bell came apart, etc... It's sad because that engine deserves better and the price is right. I have heard no long term reports about the newer chain drive Hoot that came out a while ago. There do not seem to be many out there.

The Grubee is a horse of a different color. Some are loud, but break in and some experiments with what you put in the box for lube can take care of that. There are reports of some parts breakage, but most involve misuse of the engager....as in trying to use it as a clutch. It is not a clutch and should never be engaged above idle when the centrifugal clutch is engaged. Use it correctly and you will have no problems with the engager. One or 2 people I have heard of have had issues with the freewheel, but nothing that is not repairable inexpensively- and those reports are infrequent.

I, for one, have never had a problem with my Grubee Skyhawk Stage II in 2 years- no one...but I do not use the engager at all.

xlite · #3 06-25-2009, 05:40 PM

Yes, I think you were the fellow that inspired me to pick up a tube of the green grease. I may try and pack some of that into a Hoot and see what happens. I also think one guy tried reworking these but ended up starting the company that make one of the upgrade gearboxs so probably no good info there.

Do you know if the Hoot has an engager? I haven't opened any of the boxes yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoughMade

Wish I could say different, but I have never heard of a long term success story with the Hoot. The engine (HS-142) seems solid, but the gearbox seems to fail in many ways: teeth broken, clutch bell came apart, etc... It's sad because that engine deserves better and the price is right. I have heard no long term reports about the newer chain drive Hoot that came out a while ago. There do not seem to be many out there.

The Grubee is a horse of a different color. Some are loud, but break in and some experiments with what you put in the box for lube can take care of that. There are reports of some parts breakage, but most involve misuse of the engager....as in trying to use it as a clutch. It is not a clutch and should never be engaged above idle when the centrifugal clutch is engaged. Use it correctly and you will have no problems with the engager. One or 2 people I have heard of have had issues with the freewheel, but nothing that is not repairable inexpensively- and those reports are infrequent.

I, for one, have never had a problem with my Grubee Skyhawk Stage II in 2 years- no one...but I do not use the engager at all.

ocscully · #4 06-25-2009, 06:09 PM

Hoot does not have the engager.

ocscully

xlite · #5 06-26-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ocscully

Hoot does not have the engager.
ocscully

Thanks for that info.

So I'm guessing they might be a little more trouble at the stop lights. Maybe I'll open a box and slap one on a Magna just to see what the deal is with these Hoots. If it blows I'll try a CVT or something like Duanes setup.

HoughMade · #6 06-26-2009, 04:46 PM

You don't need to disengage anything unless you are pedalling for longer distances. I removed the cable from my Grubee and converted it to be permanently engaged.

xlite · #7 06-26-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoughMade

You don't need to disengage anything unless you are pedalling for longer distances. I removed the cable from my Grubee and converted it to be permanently engaged.

Oh. I though someone last week said they were disengaged when coming to a stop so bike would not keep clutch spinning. I think there is no freewheel so bike will keep clutch spinning?

Must admit not really experienced with these automatics. Always took them off for my weedwacker friction setups.

HoughMade · #8 06-26-2009, 05:56 PM

The Grubee has a freewheel on the gearbox, but since the clutch automatically disengages when you let off the throttle, nothing more than that is needed in normal riding.

xlite · #9 06-27-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoughMade

The Grubee has a freewheel on the gearbox, but since the clutch automatically disengages when you let off the throttle, nothing more than that is needed in normal riding.

I recall reading couple days ago about somebody having to pull in the engager everytime they stopped to prevent rear wheel from keeping clutch dragging. Several people responded that it got better after breakin. Maybe just static or I'm recalling wrong.

HoughMade · #10 06-27-2009, 10:42 PM

You are probably recalling correctly, but that is not the way iy should work. Whoever that is needs to lower the idle speed.