Anyone fitted an auto clutch to a trike/bike?

[Claymore]

Hi,
Friend of mine wants to know if its possible to fit an auto clutch to a big twin suzuki? he's disabled and only entitled to ride auto trikes (he wants a big twin trike)
Cheers
Brian

[dracken1]

blackjack is probably the one to answer this one.

i have no idea what would be involved

[Blackjack]

Any plate type clutch can be modified to work as a centrifugal, "twist and go" type. Though this wil require a lot of machining and a lot of trial and error.

A conventional auto box works in a totally different fashion from a manual box, so converting it isn't possible and you'd probably have to redesign the crankcases and certainly the oil system to go that route.

Probably an easier solution is operating the cluch with a stepper motor controlled by it's own black box. This could be "twist and go" and use a Kliktronic changer controlled by the black box or by buttons on the bars. certainly for a one off and it would be a lot easier to adapt to other bikes than a mechanically based solution.

Without knowing the extent of your friend's disability I can't really be more specific than that.

I seem to recall hearing about a Harley with a torque convertor and a Chevy 2 speed Powerglide box. And if what he feel's he has to have is a car type auto that might be a possibilty. But not with a Japanese Vee twin as they all have integral gearboxes I believe. However this would be a LOT of money, and the electronic solution is going to be cheaper, easier to alter, and far more capable as well as having some limited commercial potential once developed.

Might help to point out that engineering/electronics students are often looking for good project material though.........

[Claymore]

Any plate type clutch can be modified to work as a centrifugal, "twist and go" type. Though this wil require a lot of machining and a lot of trial and error.

A conventional auto box works in a totally different fashion from a manual box, so converting it isn't possible and you'd probably have to redesign the crankcases and certainly the oil system to go that route.

Probably an easier solution is operating the cluch with a stepper motor controlled by it's own black box. This could be "twist and go" and use a Kliktronic changer controlled by the black box or by buttons on the bars. certainly for a one off and it would be a lot easier to adapt to other bikes than a mechanically based solution.

Without knowing the extent of your friend's disability I can't really be more specific than that.

I seem to recall hearing about a Harley with a torque convertor and a Chevy 2 speed Powerglide box. And if what he feel's he has to have is a car type auto that might be a possibilty. But not with a Japanese Vee twin as they all have integral gearboxes I believe. However this would be a LOT of money, and the electronic solution is going to be cheaper, easier to alter, and far more capable as well as having some limited commercial potential once developed.

Might help to point out that engineering/electronics students are often looking for good project material though.........
Thanks a lot i will pass this info on to him :)