[tony zambos]

The bushing deterioration rate seems high in light of it being properly maintained. Two questions and please, do not take offense at the first one. Is the can of Tri-Flow being shaken befor use and are you using a third bearing support? As for causes, could your gears be out of alignment or the chain too tight.

[Joshua Guiher]

No worries, it was our rookie season so we are still learning.

 

Yeah, we are shaking it, but maybe not long enough.

Yes to a 3rd bearing.

Maybe the chain is too tight, or we aren’t getting enough down to the bushing or something. We are just using a split-second spray (couple of drops) each time.

[tony zambos]

Josh,
you might want to tip the kart on is side slightly when you oil the clutch. That’s good news that you’re a rookie. Ask a couple of other 2-cycle guys at the track about oiling and chain tension. I’ve never seen a rookie denied help.
Good Luck.

[Greg Wright]

It would be a good idea to take a close look at the crankshaft where the bushing rides. Cranks that are showing visible wear at that spot eat bushings.

[Walt Gifford]

Check your chain for pulsation (loose-tight). Sometimes you get a sprocket or carrier that is slightly off or the axle gets a slight bend. I spend allot of time getting the chain not to pulsate. Also check the engine crank for run out. Other than that, little clutch with a piped engine is a hard test, a lower stall speed and more corner speed will help it live. Change the bushing before it disintegrates and everything will stay fresh longer.

Gif

[Gary Lawson]

What is your clutch engagement? If you are slipping too high it will make a lot of heat and eat through the bushing and disks

[Joshua Guiher]

around 8,400. Is that too high?

I was trying to get it to pull right off of turn 8? (the left hander as you head up the hill) at Pitt Race.

It is on it’s way to Sean, but when I get it back I’ll start with the chain tension, check the axle, etc and just stay up on it.

[Gary Lawson]

No that should be fine. And being the new style pipe you should not be having this issue. They aren’t much different than a can as far as clutch abuse. Likely misalignment, chain tension too tight, or a crank issue. Sean will get you straightened out I’m sure

[Joshua Guiher]

Here is video I took last night of me spinning the clutch. I changed the bushing before the last race weekend and I ran about 25 laps at PittRace on it.

 

Sorry if it is turned sideways, but for some reason Google Drive is forcing it to vertical, when I shot it horizontal.

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0qndOooA1buVTRkNDJwT2FPYVE/view?usp=sharing

[Jay Sinon]

One other thing that you might want to check is the spacer thickness, if the spacer is not the right size it will allow the clutch drum to ride back and forth on the crank and that will prematurely wear out the chain, sprockets and the clutch drum bushing.

[Joshua Guiher]

Short answer to this is Sean fixed me up.

Basically I didn’t do enough between race maintenance and wore the bushing out at the beginning. This in turn roughed up the crank and caused the bushings to wear out faster than expected.

I now have a better maintenance program and shouldn’t have further issues with this (I hope).

[Walt Gifford]

Is that a steel nytro that’s been cut open to run as a dry clutch? I didn’t think the wet clutch friction disks could take the heat without coolant.

Gif

[Joshua Guiher]

No, it’s the HDC 5 three disk with option outer cover.

[Author]

Posts