Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

As I am restoring my Leader engine from a non-running situation, I do not know if the clutch linings are OK.

Is there a known minimum thickness for the cork linings? If so, any idea what it is?

I have read on here of difficulties arising from replacement clutch linings which are not of cork or segmented as the originals. Is this what I would likely get from Drags if I go for exchange clutch plates?

Cheers. Advices appreciated, as usual.

Jerry

Jerry

I got the clutch plates from Drags and they don't work, the linings are for a dry clutch, not a wet clutch like the Leader/Arrow. I suggest you contact John Ellis the two stroke spares organiser, 01285861510 (evenings only)

regards
Dave Smewing

Thank you Dave. That's good to know about Drags plates.

I have been in contact with John Ellis but I was not encouraged by the response. That's not a complaint, just an observation. I sent him a brief enquiry email and after no response called him last evening. I was advised he does not start his computer very often and it may be a few days till he does and he's just a volunteer doing the spares for the Club. mmmmm

I have to send him a list of the spares I need, so I will do so and see what happens. Having done nothing to this bike for some 3 years I've now got my teeth into is so it becomes a little frustrating when I can't easily move things forward, but of course I cannot expect people to jump just for me. Such is the world on old machine restoration, which I'm sure many have found before me.

I think I will likely put my original plates back and see how it goes from there. By asking if anyone knows a minimum thickness, I'm trying to pre-empt doing the job twice.

Hi,

I've just measured a few worn clutch pltaes and the thinnest is .125'' and the others up to .140''. They look like the ones I took out of my bike when the clutch was just starting to slip.
I've tried a few types of linings and they all give problems ie slip or drag when hot but Villiers Services relinined some for me and although they are thicker ( approx .200'' ) and a full insert ,not like the originals -- by using an old plate and two new ones the clutch is OK . It does not slip or drag when hot, they have been in the bike for over two years now.

Brian H.

Thank you Brian, that is very useful. I will measure my plates though I think I need to prize them apart!!

Apology due to John Ellis. I sent him a list of my needs by email yesterday and he responded within a few hours. Excellent. Thank you John. Just waiting on his postal reply to see what I need to get elsewhere, if anything.

Hello again,

Re the clutch plates, I've measured an unused plate with original cork linings (its part of a sectioned gearbox ) and it meaures just under .150'' . It may be different from a N. O. S one but its in the right area . The plates( the metal part ) are .062 thick.
Some of the continuous lining plates are well over .200 thick, so if you use all three plates it will / may come out of the basket or touch on the primary chaincase when the clutch is operated.

Brian H.