Hitchcocks Forum

I get the feeling that people have moved on from my ground breaking revelation that the cork covered plates are the cure for the bullet clutch without quite grasping its significance. No ifs nor buts a cure. So I've posted this again although i promise for the last time.

Check this out and tell me that it isn't the perfectly clearing clutch and remember it doesn't slip. Not at all.
That's it, done now.

bugger HTML didn't work. Go here then. S
https://flic.kr/p/nLTQwJ

It looks like TRFKA Lone Rider should try cork plates........

Slips in and out with ease!

Well done Simon, Glad you've proved the theory and for sharing with us..

Goes to show that a step back to older technology can be superior to some modern materials produced for cheapness and ease of supply.

As said before all the brit bikes used to run cork and more than a few specials could put down surprising bhp using cork without major drama...

Allen i think lone rider has lost faith and a large amount of sterling trying to get that clutch right and i think to now ask him to try another set of plates would be pushing endurance too far.

Better to go for the Newby set up and hopefully enjoy the benefits of a well running motor, something i'm sure he richly deserves after so much input... gwilly

Hi Simon, I get the same trouble you had so fancy trying the cork plates, do they still run in oil ? Cheers..Bertie

No I definitely don't suggest it as a cure for really high performance machines. As I've said somewhere else I don't believe the the English style clutch baskets are ridged enough for modern friction materials and a billet cast clutch basket with more plates is probably what it required with bikes with in excess of 30 bhp. For the standard 500 and 350 Bullets though it's the berries.

Yes These are running in ATF but engine oil is fine.

Ariel clutches run dry.

Generally unusual in Brit bikes in my experience. From a brief look around the web it seems the Ariel VB had a wet clutch as detail in this online owners manual.
http://www.mattsb.com/Ariel/ariel52-53og.htm I'd be interested to know what does have a dry clutch. I know that Panthers, AMC Bikes, RE's and BSA's all have wet ones but possibly anything like Sunbeam S2's and Douglas's and other either shaft drive or engine across the fame bikes would have taken the option of a single plate dry clutch. There are clearly advantages to having a dry clutch particularly with a modern diaphragm spring. I know that the BMW's and Moto Guzzi's us them as do the Ducati Monsters although the cacophony they make at the lights makes me think I'd go for the wet clutch versions.