Clutch techniques/fine tuning

biknut said:
If it doesn't do it at 15 mph and up, my guess is it's chain snatch. It's caused by going too slow with clutch engaged. My bike does it at about 11 mph and lower.
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That's what I was thinking too. Going too slow with too little throttle makes the bike jump and jerk. Not sure about the chain snatch though.

No ones had that symptom??

My bikes do that too, some worse than others, but it mellows out after the pads and motor break in a bit. I usually run the stock 44's that come with the kits, it'd be worse with a smaller sprocket, speed wise I mean.

It's just a quirk. Pedal faster before you let the clutch out. :p
 
I think the problem is that he's using the clutch like he's riding a motorcycle!
SB904, you have to pedal the bicycle FIRST to build up some speed then gently let out the clutch lever. Always pedal to help the engine get up to speed! ;)
 
I guess from the replies i asked the wrong questions. Does it damage the clutch if i use it like a motorcycle. Ofc while pedaling it to speed. I have a broken hip so i cannot just haul but to 10mph very easily.
 
SavageBlunts904 said:
I guess from the replies i asked the wrong questions. Does it damage the clutch if i use it like a motorcycle. Ofc while pedaling it to speed. I have a broken hip so i cannot just haul but to 10mph very easily.
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You can use it like any motorcycle clutch, but keep in mind that you don't normally take off from a stop on a motorcycle in top gear.

If you want to drive off from a dead stop using only the clutch you need low gearing if you want your clutch pads to last very long. If you don't weight too much you can probably get away with a 44T rear sprocket for a while. More teeth would be better, but top speed will suffer.

Another consideration is, if police see you riding away from stops without peddling, you could run into legal issues, because in Florida if your bike is self propelled it's a motor vehicle.
 
Sorry sir, but I think your question has been answered several times and explained sufficiently. It is not a motorcycle. The clutch needs help when starting or when coming to a stop. Slipping the clutch as you might do starting off from a dead stop on a motorcycle is not a good thing. You will put a lot of wear on the clutch components. The 2 cycle bicycle engine/clutch is designed to be pedaled up to speed before engaging the clutch or be disengaged when traveling at low speeds.

If your physical limitations will not allow you to do that there are options.

Centrifugal clutch: Whereby the engagement is determined by engine speed. Even these, depending on rider weight will benefit from a little pedal assist.

4 cycle engine with a transmission/centrifugal clutch. More low rpm torque is available but still it is a bicycle engine and as such starting from a dead stop or at very low speeds it might not be able to do what you want.

I don't know any other way to explain these facts to you. Sorry if we haven't been able to offer you alternatives that will suffice. What you have and what most of us have are motorized bicycles...not motorcycles. They have to be ridden and operated differently.

Tom
 
Try this solution I just learned on another thread-

Grease the ball bearing and the bar that is between the motor's clutch lever and the inner clutch- the stuff inside the sprocket hole-

I can't believe what a difference it made on my 66- stopped the squeak, and surprisingly really made a difference peddaling- so you know it makes a dif to the motor!

Anyway, it may be hanging up inside, depending on the motor RPMs.

http://motorbicycling.com/showthread.php?t=37513&page=2
 
If you have the equipment, you can smooth the contacting surfaces of the clutch actuator cam and the pin (bucking bar) and dramatically decrease the friction in the clutch actuating components. I use a Dremel sanding disc to round and smooth those parts then polish on a bench buffer before reassembly. Lubrication is essential on all parts, cam, bar and ball bearing. You'll be amazed at the ease with which the clutch lever pulls after you've done this simple modification.

Tom
 
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