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Thread: Motorcycle clutch corks

  1. #1
    Supporting Member olderdan's Avatar
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    Motorcycle clutch corks

    1919 AJS dry clutch, 84 round inserts .15.5mm dia and 24x9mm inserts in total, no way to buy these. Rather than make special tooling I have modified standard metric hole punches by grinding to size required. I have used wine bottle corks and can get 4 inserts per cork parted of with a knife blade. I do 32 at a time as I dislike repetition work, once fitted they are ground flat in the lathe both sides with a ragged edge mounted point wheel.

    Motorcycle clutch corks-1.jpgMotorcycle clutch corks-2.jpgMotorcycle clutch corks-3.jpgMotorcycle clutch corks-4.jpgMotorcycle clutch corks-5.jpg

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  2. The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to olderdan For This Useful Post:

    butlerandrew (Jan 14, 2023), floyd_kenny (Jan 14, 2023), Jon (Jan 20, 2023), kamikazecowboyp (Jan 19, 2023), nova_robotics (Jan 15, 2023), Scotsman Hosie (Jan 17, 2023), tonyfoale (Jul 23, 2023), Toolmaker51 (Jan 17, 2023)

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    Supporting Member Isambard's Avatar
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    Back last century, when recorking clutch plates was the norm, to trim the corks, accepted practice was to use an engine exhaust valve that was refaced to a fine edge as the tool in the lathe...
    As most used wedge shaped Ferodo inserts originally, the corks, procured from the local pharmacist, were boiled up, to soften, then pushed sideways into the recesses, allowed to cool, then trimmed. Pharmacist corks were preferred over those from the ironmonger, as they were very high quality, no flaws.

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    DIYer (Jan 16, 2023), olderdan (Jan 16, 2023)

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    I had no idea cork was used in clutches. I know the Ford Model T used leather bands as friction material in their transmissions. But cork is a new one. That's great. Well done.

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    olderdan (Jan 16, 2023)

  7. #4
    Supporting Member olderdan's Avatar
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    Most brit bikes up to the 50s used cork inserts usually oil bathed until bonded plates became the norm. Villiers engines all used cork and I have done hand cut inserts for those although they are still available ready made.

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    Thanks olderdan! We've added your Clutch Corks to our Motorcycle category,
    as well as to your builder page: olderdan's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:




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    Supporting Member hemmjo's Avatar
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    Very cool I also had no idea. I am so often amazed at the things our ancestors figured out.

    Of course today people would complain about stripping the cork trees. I wonder if the tree huggers think about that when they drink their wine?

  10. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by nova_robotics View Post
    I know the Ford Model T used leather bands as friction material in their transmissions.
    Ford never used leather for band linings in the Model T, they used woven cotton, similar to webbing.

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    nova_robotics (Jul 19, 2023)

  12. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by katy View Post
    Ford never used leather for band linings in the Model T, they used woven cotton, similar to webbing.
    Very interesting. I didn't know that.



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