Adjusting the clutch to engage at a lower RPM

[mrandmrslindholm]

Hello again,

My husband is a very good mechanic. He restores old cars etc. He would like to do the clutch adjustment to my Buddy Italia 150 but so far we cannot find a schematic or any instructions. Can anyone guide me to some?

Thanks.

[Keys]

That would be accomplished by using different weights in the variator. Some a wee bit lighter will engage a bit sooner. However (there's always a however), you MAY see a slight decrease in top speed. Some do, some don't.

--Keys

[Silver Streak]

That would be accomplished by using different weights in the variator. Some a wee bit lighter will engage a bit sooner. However (there's always a however), you MAY see a slight decrease in top speed. Some do, some don't.

--Keys

No it wouldn't. The variator weights have nothing to do with clutch engagement. The driven pulley rpm at which the clutch engages depends on the stiffness of the springs that hold the clutch shoes in. Lighter variator weights hold the transmission in a lower gear longer for better acceleration off the line, but don't affect the clutch engagement.

Are you sure he wants to LOWER the rpms at which the clutch engages? This would generally result in bogging and poorer performance off the line, as the the engine will be way below its torque peak if you do so. Most folks interested in off-the-line performance want to RAISE it.

In fact, all the aftermarket performance clutch springs available are stiffer than stock to raise the rpms at engagement. I doubt if softer springs are even available.

[Kaos]

That would be accomplished by using different weights in the variator. Some a wee bit lighter will engage a bit sooner. However (there's always a however), you MAY see a slight decrease in top speed. Some do, some don't.

--Keys

No it wouldn't. The variator weights have nothing to do with clutch engagement. The driven pulley rpm at which the clutch engages depends on the stiffness of the springs that hold the clutch shoes in. Lighter variator weights hold the transmission in a lower gear longer for better acceleration off the line, but don't affect the clutch engagement.

Are you sure he wants to LOWER the rpms at which the clutch engages? This would generally result in bogging and poorer performance off the line, as the the engine will be way below its torque peak if you do so. Most folks interested in off-the-line performance want to RAISE it.

In fact, all the aftermarket performance clutch springs available are stiffer than stock to raise the rpms at engagement. I doubt if softer springs are even available.

Silver Streak is right, if you LOWER the RPMs the clutch engages at you'll only cause bogging. You actually want to raise the RPMs if anything, as you'll end up with a harder launch than with stock springs.

If you really do feel like lowering the RPM engagement(Don't! Please don't!) there ARE springs out there that'll do it, but they're REALLLLLLYYYY hard to find.

[mrandmrslindholm]

Thanks for all the technical info! We really appreciate it!