The Flying Tiger : Land Speed Motorcycle

The Flying Tiger : Land Speed Motorcycle - PART 7
Monday, September 10, 2012

The Flying Tiger

The "Flying Tiger"
A Special Construction / Partially Streamlined / Blown Fuel Land Speed Motorcycle.

PART 1 - The Crankshaft / Crank Bolts / Head Bolts

PART 2 - The Transmission OverDrive Gears & Ceramic Bearings

PART 3 - The Lower End of your motor and other important tidbits

PART 4 - The Chassis

PART 5 - The Pistons

PART 6 - Top End & Head

The Clutch

MTC Engineering has been developing, testing, refining and producing excellent quality high performance motorcycle components for almost 50 years. Whether it’s on the Drag Strip or Street, their products continue to be the performance product of choice for companies, teams, and individuals building the quickest and fastest motorcycles in the world. Their high performance Clutches have been a key ingredient to help many racers win championships.

MTC Engineering is widely recognized for Experience Driven Proprietary Solutions. They develop advanced product performance qualities by partnering with championship race teams; to run, test, and optimize their components with feedback from track proven results. In other words, they hear what went right and what needs improving and do it now and not later. When new products have passed all the extreme rigors of the race track, they are introduced to you, the end user, as a proven leading edge product. They utilize the latest analysis, manufacturing and inspection technologies available to assure the consistency and reliability of their manufacturing process and to expedite the delivery of the most robust component solutions to you, with confidence.

To earn your trust and long-term confidence, they are committed to continuous improvement of their comprehensive customer service systems. They understand that having the right product, at the right time and with full technical support is the key to establishing a mutually beneficial long-term relationship. By working closely with their customers, they bring together the necessary inventory investments and special support services to be an effective contributor for assisting in the attainment of your goals of going fast and quick.

Did you know?

Eric Hochstetler is almost 50 years old (a youngster) and is a degreed Mechanical Engineer. So... how does this make him a genius at MTC Engineering, the maker of some the greatest items in the motorcycle performance world? Great question. Did you know that Eric was a Director of Engineering for an injection molding company in Florida?

No? Then did you know that Eric was originally from Indiana (in the Middle) and moved to Florida after school, moved up thru the ranks of corporate america and finally decided to go out on his own and became the proud owner of MTC Engineering that was once run by Top Fuel Racer Tony Lang? For a man who had exactly zero experience in motorcycle performance products, not only did he get a fast track learning course in motorcycles, but he turned MTC into a powerhouse of speed, quickness and just damn good performance clutches. Tiger Racing has been using MTC clutches for over 12 years on most every project bike we have ever built. Eric worked hard on improving manufacturing processes and at the same time moved most every manufacturing process in house to save time and money. In these last few years of economic uncertainties, MTC Engineering has continued to grow and prosper because of the guidance and direction of Eric and his team of dedicated employees.

Eric has also made major investments in new equipment and better processes allowing for new products to be innovated and produced which allows them to stay on the cutting edge of motorcycle performance technologies.

Eric attends most every major race so that he is available for his customers and their special needs trackside.

Which brings me to the product we are highlighting on the "Flying Tiger".

The all new Gen II Multistage Clutch from MTC Engineering

This new clutch called the "Gen II Multistage Clutch" is designed and built with the same robustness that MTC has used for over 40 years in making the best products in the racing industry.

This clutch significantly reduces clutch lever efforts and improves clutch adjustability through its "multistage" technology.

The new design runs on engine RPM and demonstrates a quicker reaction time and more repeatability between passes. The new design also allows for easier dynamic spring replacement with its quick access cover plate over the springs. This allows for adjustments of the clutch right in the bike. Now what could be better than that?

MTC Engineering’s clutch products have a proven history of quality, reliability, setting records, and getting racers to the winner’s circle. For the last 8 years, of AMA/Dragbike, MTC paid more contingency claims in the series than any other aftermarket parts manufacturer.

In 2009, more than 70% of the AMA Dragbike champions used MTC Engineering clutch components.

The making of Gen II Multistage clutches start with automated CNC machining on state of the art 4 and 5 axis CNC milling machines. All programming is done by Eric and his staff using the latest CAD/CAM design programming.

You can see that MTC uses the finest materials available to create the parts and pieces that make up the MTC clutch.

As you can see from the tray of hat covers, MTC wastes little space or material when using the CNC to make their parts. Another part of the process is to keep everything in house when making clutches.

Ahhh, the new Gen II clutch arrives.

The moment the clutch arrived, I was like a kid under the tree at Christmas time and I just couldn't wait to unwrap my new toy. I carefully removed the packing and removed all the materials from the box (or so I thought). Once I Iaid everything onto the work table, I happened to notice that I didn't have a clutch O-ring gasket for the new MTC clutch cover plate. I searched high and low with no success. I called MTC and talked with Eric and the first thing out of his mouth was "can't find the clutch cover O-ring?" To which I said "yep, it's missing", Eric calmly said "you still have the box?" To which I replied "Yep, in the trash". Eric then calmly said, "go look at the bottom of the box, there is a piece of cardboard taped shut that has your O-ring." Sure enough, there it was in all it's glory. Now my ego had been bruised and I couldn't just leave it alone and take all the blame for my own ignorance so I said sheepishly, "it needs to be marked with BIG RED letters O-Ring Inside". I figured that would be a good answer for my lack of eye sight when I should have noticed the cardboard taped to the bottom of the box.

The MTC Gen II multistage for Drag Racing is designed to provide you with improved reaction times and better ET's. Although in LSR racing, you don't need a good reaction time but you do need the ability to get out of the hole quickly and this new Gen II clutch will do that for us. This new generation of multistage clutch runs on motor RPM instead of input shaft RPM. The unit operates wet and is totally enclosed in the stock clutch cavity with the addition of a specially designed cover plate.

All MTC Gen II multistage clutches and components are covered under U.S. Patents. That means don't try and duplicate this at your own CNC somewhere because Patent infringements can be costly.

We have installed the clutch basket just like a stock one except for the fact that we replaced the hardened steel spacer that goes between the face of the clutch basket and the inner hub with the four (4) piece needle bearing spacer supplied with the clutch. After that, you can check the clutch basket endplay after you install the lock nuts and washers like a standard clutch. I have set up my digital indicator to check the clutch basket movement and found that I have only 0.005" of endplay which is a good thing. You can't have more or less than 0.003"-0.006" of endplay clearance or the inner hub will not rotate when the nut on the input shaft is tight. If the basket has too much endplay, it could cause damage to the clutch or engine.

The Gen II design uses a bottom spacer on the bottom of the basket instead of using the lip on the back of the inner hub. This allows the clutch pack to be pressed down to the bottom of the basket instead of the inner hub. This design reduced the forces put on the basket springs and gives the basket a longer life cycle.

We have installed the bottom spacer into the basket, carefully making sure the dowel pins are in the holes drilled at the bottom of the basket. We then made sure the spacer was sitting flat on the bottom of the inside of the basket and proceeded to install the steels and fibers into the clutch.

I opened my new pack of clutch plates and realized I had forgotten to to tell you about them.

Trac King Clutch Set from APE

MTC Lockup uses standard clutch pack.

NEW - Trac King Clutch Packs. Exclusively from APE.

These clutch kits are designed for the most severe race track abuse. Whether you run a nitrous or turbo pro street drag bike, radical race car, or just a hot rod streetbike, this is one of the best clutches available.

Absolutely one of the best for hand clutch, single and multi stage lock ups, or sliders.

All of you racers that say that the OEM clutch works the best in your bike, you owe it to yourself to try a Trac King. You will never go back to OEM, or any other brand. The kits contain all frictions and steels, with pack height set.

6.99 New Nitrous Pro Street Record with Trac King

You don't have to have a 6 second Busa to use a Trac King Clutch, but if you do, they have you covered.

Racer Testimonies

"I picked up big time with my APE Trac King clutches!! 1.33s 60 ft times :) I will be using these from now on! Thanks APE!!"
- Crystal Dickerson Racing

"I started my season with the APE Trac King clutch, steels and fibers and immediatly my 60' time improved by .05

I was using the stock clutch pack for my 08 Hayabusa and the 60' times where 1.62/1.60. Now 60' time are down to 1.57/1.55, my et's are more consistant, and we also won our 1st race using Trac King clutches. When the time comes for a new clutch I will be using Trac King."
-Henry Charyk

"After several frustrating issues with the clutch on Ben Knight's Busa, we switched over to Trac King clutches. The immediate improvement carried me to a 3rd place finish in Street ET and 1/4 finals in Streetfighter at the Thunder Valley Dragbike Shootout. Super consistent 60' times never varied by more than .010!!! Thanks!"
-Darren Burnett

A nice oil bath for my Trac King Clutch before installation. Yes, that's one of my wife's favorite pans and now I remember why my oatmeal tastes funny.

Here I am measuring the air gap of my pressure plate to make sure I have stacked the fibers and steels correctly and it looks as though I am right on the money with a gap of 0.110" between the top of the basket and the pressure plate. This is where you get the gap between your arms and the buttons. Now I can place the hat on the clutch and remove the six (6) hew head screws which were holding the static springs in compression. You need to save these screws whenever you remove your hat from the clutch.

0.110" of air gap between buttons and arms

Now we can install the top hat on this work of art.

Here is where you change the springs for the pressure plate and the weights on the arms. You are given a complete spring and weight kit with your clutch so that you have hundreds of combinations to choose from and tune to. Although I have been told

"DO NOT TOUCH THE SCREWS THAT ARE PAINTED".

The painted screws are used to level the arms in their home position and should never be moved.

All springs on the Gen II are compression type and are enclosed inside of the unit, so that no damage can be caused by the springs.

Now don't mix them up!

I just had to take this moment to share with you a great little set of tools that we found on the web at SchnitzRacing.com

Clutch Removal Tools
They come as a pair

These are the ultimate clutch tools! Strong magnets in the ends of the handles to pull out the steel plates, hardened picks on the other end for the fibers.

Aluminum Construction
Knurled Grips
Strong Magnets in the ends
Hardend Picks
Sold in Pairs

You'll have to hide them when your friends come over!!

Only $29.95 from Schnitz Racing Motorsports.

Magnets are super strong for
grabbing the steel plates!

Oooooh how purdee.

All together and ready for the custom cover plate from MTC to make this installation complete.

This quick access cover allows you to make clutch adjustments without draining the oil out of the motor. The “split” on the cover is half way down the side so that the lock up is sticking out when you remove the top hat making it very easy to work on. These covers can be custom engraved with your logo. But for me, having a Tiger on the cover from MTC is just perfect.

So let's get this straight

The MTC Gen II Multistage Lockup clutch is going to supply the power generated from our Nitrous Turbo to the output shaft, then thru the Robinson Industries Gear sets, onward to the MRE offset sprockets and finally to our Sandy Kosman custom wheel which in turn lays rubber to the runway.

Whew!!! That was a mouthful.

It's our hope to be able to propel to a speed of 300 MPH in future racing of this beautiful motorcycle at Wilmington, OH., at the ECTA Land Speed Racing events.

I can' say enough about our sponsors who know what it takes to go fast and who also know that their products are what will help us go the distance.

I hope you have enjoyed our Clutch article and will visit MTCENG.com to read more about the great products at MTC Engineering. Give Eric and the gang a call and ask them how they can help you acheive better 60 foot times, more consistant launches and be in the winners circle.

MTC Engineering can be found at www.MTCENG.com, 800-827-9210 or at sales@mtceng.com

Tiger Racing just loves it when you put a Tiger on my new clutch. Did you know that Tiger Racing was named after famed Top Fuel Driver Tony Lang? I so loved the MTC Tiger Top Fuel bike that I named my company after it. The honest truth. Now you know the rest of the story.

Tiger Racing gives Kudos and Thanks for the following sponsors who are partnering with this project.

Chassis