The clutch system is basically a mechanical device that engages and disengages the power of your bike to either change the gear or while the bike is idling. Its history dates back to the 19th century when Karl Benz experimented with a clutch system that used leather belts but was unable to handle the intense friction and heat.
As the years passed and technology evolved, clutches were then made from modern composite material and advanced ceramic. As a result, many more iterations were available in the mass market, right from automatic clutch in 1930s to the hydraulic clutch in 1980s. More recently i.e. early 2000s, the dual-clutch transmission was introduced to offer faster and more efficient gear shifts; it became an instant hit in high performance vehicles.
What is Clutch and what does it do?
It is a complex mechanism with multiple parts running in sync to provide efficient transfer of power from engine to the wheels. A clutch in a bike is a releasable or flexible coupling that primarily connects two adjacent shafts - one is the crankshaft coming from the engine and other tends be the input shaft of the gearbox. The moment the clutch lever is pressed, the pressure plate causes the clutch plates (steel or friction plates) to disengage.
Here are the major components of clutch plate and their uses: -
• Flywheel – It is a heavy steel plate that balances engine rotation while minimizing vibration. It also smoothens the engine rpm to make clutch engagement more seamless. Its key purpose is to lock against the clutch disc and carry the torque that the engine produces.
• Clutch Disc – It is a large round disc that slides into the transmission input shaft. When the clutch lever is pressed, it transfers no power and spins freely. When the clutch lever is released, it is engaged between the clutch pressure plate and flywheel to transfer the power of the engine to the gearbox and subsequently the wheels.
• Clutch pressure plate – This is placed on the opposite side of the clutch disc. Its key functionality is to release pressure from the clutch when the pedal is pressed. Metal fingers that are situated in the middle act as a spring. When pressed together, the pressure disc moves away from the friction material.
• Clutch cable – It is a cable situated near the engine that connects the clutch assembly and clutch lever. It is a component that encounters major wear and tear and is required to be replaced after a set time interval.
The two most common concerns associated with the clutch system are chatter and slipping. Chatter is primarily caused by too much friction with the lack of oil between clutch plates (mostly steel plates). Slipping, on the other hand, occurs due to inadequate friction, either due to worn-out friction plates or inadequate oil.
Types of Motorcycle Clutch
Dry Clutch – These types of clutch operate on friction without any lubrication. They tend to be lighter and have a greater response capacity. Also, a dry clutch does not have oil covering the pressure and clutch plates and does not have a similar cooling temperature as a wet clutch.
Wet Clutch – Specifically covered in oil to reduce friction, wet clutch plates operate cooler as well. They are also quieter in idle and provide much smoother operation and gearshifts.
Introduction of Slipper Clutch
This technology was introduced a few years back by OEMs such as TVS Motor in Apache RR 310. The slipper clutch is basically a mechanism that reduces the engine braking effect, and its key purpose is to prevent rear wheel lock or hopping during aggressive downshifts. It does partial slipping until the engine’s speed matches with the bike’s speed upon braking.
Its technical functionality uses little ramps that push the clutch plates apart when the transmission side tries to push the flywheel side.
Here are its key benefits: -
• Enhances stability
• Prevents rear wheel lockup
• Reduces engine braking
• Smoothens downshifts
The motorcycle clutch is one of the most crucial components. It is recommended to avoid using the clutch harshly as that reduces the life of your transmission. By understanding how it works and taking proper care of it, riders can ensure that their motorcycle is running smoothly.
Also Read:
How A Typical Motorcycle Clutch Works, And How To Make It Last Longer