Is your standard style or SR clutch failing on your Drift Trike? This quick guide explains exactly why, and what to do about it.

It sounds like you have the standard ‘drift trike’ symptoms with your clutch. The base level clutches are not reliable on sliders long term. They will work but there are two problems.

#1 they will fail if the gear ratio is too tall. Generally you need to have a rear sprocket just slightly less than the rolling diameter of the back tyre – something like a 73-74T to have a ratio which will be ok. The sleeve can be up to 25mm thick before you will have problems with that ratio. When clutches fail at this level they are unrepairable and even if you do manage to repair it, the problem will re-occur. This will even happen with our SR range.

#2 the massive hit of torque they receive with a slack chain to get the wheels spinning tends to put a lot of strain on the ‘fingers’ holding the shoes in place. Because the engagement is not smooth, you’ll find they will eventually break the fingers. The only remedy is to replace the entire core and backplate but it will happen again and again. As the centre core isn’t available separately, the only practical solution is a new clutch.

PICTURE OF 'FINGERS' WHICH TRANSMIT TORQUE FROM CLUTCH SHOES ON SR CLUTCHES

In our experience, a 13T or 14T in the GT range is the only true long-term solution for drift trikes. The reason you need to look at these clutches is due to the following:

#1 the GT Clutch is very strong and will take the 'abuse' given by the standard operation of a drift trike.
GT Clutches have two shoes which operate the centre core through 'lugs' on the core, which don't break off due to the much better design. GT Clutch cores are almost indestructable unless you are using a 12T which, because of the sleeve system, can wear the core shaft and fail.

PICTURE OF GT CLUTCH - NOTE CORE HAS TWO LUGS TO TRANSMIT POWER WHICH DON'T BREAK OFF UNDER EXTREME LOAD

#2 The 13, 14 & 15T GT Clutches run a 'needle roller' bearing rather than a sleeve bearing. All base level clutches run a sleeve bearing, as well as 12T GT clutches. The problem with a sleeve bearing is that when the clutch is engaged rapidly and aggressively it will force the sleeve hard into the core shaft. This will wear the sleeve and score or glaze the centre core shaft. Once this happens, more play will develop and the clutch will tend to grab and start making clicking or clunking noises. Operation will be eratic at this point. Using a 13, 14 or 15T model will eliminate this problem because it uses roller bearings which do not wear like a sleeve and are a lot stronger when put under pressure.

While a GT clutch still needs the correct transmission ratio to work properly (we recommend about a 5.5 : 1 ratio or higher) they will withstand a lot more punishment when gearied incorrectly. If you do manage to destroy one, all the parts (right down to the washers) are available at very reasonable prices (springs are about $13 for a pair).

You can find our GT clutch range by CLICKING HERE