how to balance drive clutch flyweights

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Balancing the flyweights is simple. Similar instructions can be foundin Olav Aaen's Clutch Tuning Handbook:

1. Remove the flyweights and wash in hot, soapy water.

2. Using a black permanent marker, label each weight 1, 2 and3.

3. On a piece of paper, write the corresponding numbers - 1, 2and 3.

4. Weigh each flyweight and record the reading on the sheet ofpaper under the corresponding number. Once each flyweight is weighed andrecorded, the heavier flyweights will need to be ground down to meet themass of the lightest weight.

5. Using a belt sander or grinding wheel (preferably the grindingwheel) evenly grind the flat surface - not the tail or heel. As a side note,grind the side that does not have the weight's identification numbers stampedon it. And, as a word of caution, don't get carried away: removing one-tenthof a gram does not take long and it is far easier to grind away metal thanto glue it back on. Grind the weights separately, re-weighing them frequently,until all three have the same mass.

6. Once the flyweights are ground and balanced, wash them in hot,soapy water.

7. Before re-installing the flyweights, check the drive clutchfor worn parts or all of your work will be for nothing.

Aaen writes, "Before balancing the clutch flyweights, it is importantto check the drive clutch system for faults. There is little point in balancingthe flyweights if there is a point in the drive clutch that creates highfriction. The critical areas are the roller bearings and the weight pivot.Sloppy pivot points due to worn bearings or a pivot shaft can cause erraticweight movement and rapid roller bearing wear. Thus, extra and undue sidethrust will be placed on both the roller and weight thrust washers."

Grinding and balancing the flyweights may seem trivial to most, or unnecessaryfor your type of riding. But if your $6,500 investment brings nothing butfury and frustration, use the process of elimination and fix the small,tunable things. A seemingly small fix like grinding the flyweights can makethe difference in bringing out a sled's potential.
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