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QUESTION: One thing I've never really understood is why most bikes have wet
clutches and how they work. It does not seem to be logical to soak a
clutch in lubricant since it depends on high friction to work. So what
am I missing?
How does a wet clutch work? And what is the point of making it "wet"
in the first place? Why not do the same thing as in cars and have dry
clutches?
ANSWER: Keep cool and doesn't need to be sealed from transmisson. Good quesition to
write in to Kevin Cameron for one of his super columns.
Engine/transmission oil makes it wet in most bikes. Primary oil makes it wet
in some. Plate material makes it sticky enough to work in all despite being
wet. Torque is so much greater in cars that problem different so clutch must
be dry. Also bike clutches are multiplate so more plates make up for smaller
diameter found in bikes v cars (same effective area).
Clutches work the same. Plates pull apart to disengage. I think you can
easily find a diagram online if you look. BMW, Duc (etc) use dry plates,
BTW. The 'trick' is in the material. If you get a dry clutch 'wet' with oil,
it will slip, but a wet plate clutch will work when oily due to the material
the engineers choose which will still have much friction when wet due to
it's surface characteristics. If you have a friendly bike shop nearby, ask
to handle a wet plate clutch material and you will see what I mean. It will
all become clear especially if you can also handle a dry plate clutch
material (like from a Duc) too
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