Pinning The Clutch

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5-7HEAVEN

Well-Known Member
Aug 2, 2008
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Years ago, I read about kids sticking bits of wood between their bike's centrifugal clutch and bell-housing, then kick-starting their motorized bike/minibike.

I'm guessing that soon after the engine started, bits of wood were eaten up or expelled by the spinning clutch or bell.

Is this truth or urban legend?

Could it be done in the small engines' modern-day centrifugal clutches?
 
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curtisfox

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2008
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minesota
Never heard of it, but wood has oil or sap and would gum it after time. Look up Goldy's " BSA copy " he used powels from a rope start recoil ..............Curt
 
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curtisfox

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Dec 29, 2008
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Prolly not right but I call them that, little spring loaded arms that catch the rewind when you spin it. After it starts it spins free, as thee rewind stops. Neet little deal he did mounting them to a clutch ............Curt
 
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5-7HEAVEN

Well-Known Member
Aug 2, 2008
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Paul's on first, powels on second, dowel's rounding third, and pawl's made it home.laff
 
JerryAssburger

JerryAssburger

Active Member
Mar 11, 2017
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Salem Oregon
I got stranded one time with a gokart with cent/clutch and a broken pull-start. Jammed about 4 or 5 pop can tops into the bell, and gave it a shove- took a few tries, but it has been done. Once the motor fires, the bits go flying. This is the gokart.



...a very short video of it in action.
https://youtu.be/zCX2mwjTdd0


....ah, the Glory Days!
 
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Ichigo

New Member
Jun 18, 2017
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Yeah, its true. My minibike centrifugal clutch bearings were so worn out that I had to stuff twigs in there to keep it from vibrating and shaking so it would start.
 
5

5-7HEAVEN

Well-Known Member
Aug 2, 2008
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The reason I asked is because I was looking for an alternate way of starting my Tanaka and pocket bike engines. They all utilize the pocket bike 5:1 transmissions. The clutch bells are fully enclosed; there's no easy way of pinning the clutch.

I'm an old guy. I'm tired of yanking the pull start, ESPECIALLY if the engine(s) don't want to start on the second pull.

Instead, I'm in the middle of adapting Troy-Bilt's electric drill starting mechanism to all my engines.
 
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