Recorking fabric clutches and other shenanigans

[SEDoan]

I've got 3 useable fabric clutch plates each missing 2 inserts. What is the technique for removing and installing fabric inserts? Someone once said "really strong thumbs" I searched the forums (fora?) without finding an answer.

Also, is mixing fabric and cork friction plates a no-no? For instance two fabric and one cork. Or in the case where the clutch center is modified so a 4th friction plate can sit in the bottom of the basket - can plate in the bottom of the basket be fabric and other three cork? I've never used a cork clutch so don't know how to think about it. Will the cork plates just catch fire?

I also have 3 worn out, very thin cork plates so any recorking tips would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[Simon.Gardiner]

Shawn

My experience of the fabric inserts is that they get hard and brittle with age/use and you can't do much with them. (And also they stop working as friction plates anyway!)

The clutch is pretty robust - and fairly easy to work on. I've seen people get away with running with just half the cork inserts (and the springs wound right up) in an emergency so my advice is whatever you're thinking of doing (mixing and matching, or running with a couple of missing inserts), just try it! So far I've not seen an Ariel cork clutch catch fire, they just smoulder at worst (so smell and maybe smoke).

The standard (ie. ex-factory) cork plates are (to me anyway) surprisingly thin so yours may not be as worn out as you think. The usual advice for helping with re-corking is to boil the new inserts but for me that's never made much difference, it's a bit of a fiddle and some inserts don't want to play without 'adjustment'. However, for me it's a matter of starting with the obvious - feed the narrow end in first.

SG

[Dave.Barkshire]

I changed from fabric to cork a couple of years back (1938 VH1) and the transformation was remarkable. I bought new plates with inserts from the club and also springs.

The clutch is now as light as a moped and the cork is so much nicer in use than fabric IMHO. If you're doing racing or really hard riding then fabric might be better.

[JohnnyBeckett]

h,i i would get on to Geoff Brown the AOMCC gearbox and clutch club spares he does new cork inserts for clutch plates he is very good and helpful ,

[nevhunter]

Easy to design one for round section corks too. The lighter weight Plates make it all work better and cork grips better so you can use lighter springs. Nev

[SEDoan]

You guys have given me great ideas. Thank you!
Simon, I might try fitting corks in the missing slots rather than fabric "just for balance". Maybe there will be smoke - or flames! But a friend has also given me some "new" very old fabric inserts so - just to be silly - I might try boiling them and see if they soften a little.
The cork clutch plates I have are down to the steel on one side. So am planning to get inserts from Geoff who has been very helpful in the past. Dave, I am very much looking forward to trying cork. My only fear is that, with the 23 tooth engine sprocket, I will smoke it on some steep hill start and have to ride home in 2nd gear. I just need to try it.
Nev, back before I'd checked the advice columns I bought 3 new bonded plates but have been reluctant to use them and your comment made me realize that I could just drill holes in them in a uniform pattern and stuff in some of the wine corks my wife and I have been saving for this purpose. The plates will be lighter and stickier.

Thank you guys for the help. Will report back with the results.

[SEDoan]

Boiling the fabric inserts in water softens them. I just boiled a few in a coffee cup in the microwave oven, trimmed the outer edge with a sharp knife and forced them in.

I supported the edge of the insert on the vise and tapped on the steel plate to drive the insert in and tapped some more to align it. It was slightly thicker than the older inserts so a squeeze in the vise helped slim it down.