Clutchs
In New Zealand we have chosen to run a single clutch option with limited tuning. This is to keep the learning curve and cost down for people getting into karting.
Setup guide
Click the link to download the setup guide. It is recommended to run an inboard clutch if possible as it reduces the stress on the engine. CLICK HERE
Springs
We have the black and white spring options. These basically determine when the clutch engages. These can be changed track to track and can be fine tuned by using a combination of the two (must be on opposite sides). The black springs engage at 3800rpm and the softer white is 2800 rpm. A combination of the two will engage at 3400rpm. A recommended starting position is a mixture of the two.
Cleaning and Maintenance
1. Drum & Sprocket: The Flame clutch is engineered to minimize clutch chatter when cleaned with solvent based cleaners. Even though the clutch design minimizes chatter, the preferred method of cleaning is to spray some WD-40 on a rag and wipe the inside of the drum. Wipe out as much dirt and debris as possible. The area where the drum and the shoes make contact is the heart of the clutch. A nice, clean, smooth surface provides the best consistency from race to race. An alternate method of cleaning is to clean the drum with acetone, starting fluid, or carburetor cleaner. These cleaning fluids will remove all of the oil and can cause the clutch to become aggressive during engagement. A small amount of oil residue will give a more consistent coefficient of friction and longer clutch life. If the drum is galled and not smooth then you can sand the inside of the drum with fine sandpaper. Clean the drum I.D. with WD-40 after sanding.
2. Shoes: The preferred method to clean the shoes is to spray some WD-40 on a rag and clean the outside of the shoe. An alternate method is to clean the mechanism with acetone, starting fluid, or carburetor cleaner. These cleaning fluids will remove all of the oil and will cause the clutch to become more aggressive during engagement. A small amount of oil residue will give a more consistent coefficient of friction and longer clutch life so WD-40 is recommended for cleaning. The Flame shoe has cleaning grooves so scrape any debris out of each groove when performing the weekly maintenance.
3. Roller bearing: Clean this with IPA or another solvent and re grease with a medium grade bearing grease for best performance after every two of three club days.