Clutches – What’s the Difference?

MTC Engineering gives you a quick overview about their record-breaking Clutches. MTC’s clutch products have a proven history of quality, reliability, setting records, and getting racers to the winner’s circle. When you are ready to win, go with the best.

2-stage lockup is designed to increase clutch clamping force as quickly as possible. You will see additional clamping force from every lock up arm about 10-15 ft from the starting line. This allows maximum lockup very quickly. Making it a good choice for a bike that is 68” wheelbase or longer w/o using a bar or a bike with slick and bar where a wheelie isn’t a concern.

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The Patented MTC Engineering Multi-Stage lockup units are designed to apply additional clutch clamping force in a more progressive manner than the 2-stage. In the case of the Hayabusa, 3 arms will start to apply about 15-20 ft from the starting line, further down track the remaining 3 arms apply additional clamping force to prevent clutch slippage on the top end. This makes the Multi-Stage lock up an excellent choice for turbocharged applications. Short wheelbase bikes will also benefit from the progressive application of force in that, the rider can tune the lock-up to apply later in the run to alleviate a wheelie or tire spin condition, while still maintaining full lockup on the top end of the track.

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MTC Engineering’s Patented Slider clutches are for the track only dragbike. These units completely eliminate the clutch lever. Engagement and disengagement are controlled totally by engine RPM, making them unsuitable for street use. Using centrifugal force to engage the clutch and eliminating the need for the rider to release the clutch lever results in lower more consistent 60’ times, lower ET’s than lever clutch equipped bikes, and a smoother launch. The MTC slider is suitable for use in any length bike, with or without wheelie bars.

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The new Generation II Multistage Lockup units and now you are wondering is it a lockup or is it a slider clutch? The Gen II is most definitely a lockup clutch. It maintains the use of the clutch lever allowing the rider to ride the bike back from a run and relies on the rider to release the lever for the clutch to engage.

Let’s start with what’s the same between the two types of multistage lockups.

Both units employ the same arm and counter spring mechanism. Changing the counter springs under the arms will change the timing of the arm application just like the original. Both utilize the same shimming procedure to adjust static spring pressure.

The differences between the original multistage lockup and the Gen II are quite large. The Gen II takes a different approach to clutch application. The old standard of clamping the clutch pack between the pressure plate and inner hub is gone.

Since all the force applied inside the basket is to that spacer plate and to the outer basket, it should result in less stress on the rivets in the outer basket. We believe that doing it this way should allow the basket to require less service. The arms are driven by engine RPM instead of input shaft speed, so clutch slippage doesn’t slow down application of the arms resulting in more repeatable runs.

You will be able to change the counter springs in the Gen II while it is still installed thanks to a quick access plate on the top of the unit. Altering the static spring pressure will still require the removal of the lockup unit from the clutch basket.

This unit is not a slider clutch, nor does it work like a slider clutch, they only use the same clutch basket. It does bring the arms in sooner than the original multistage because the lockup is now driven by the clutch basket and not the input shaft. The Gen II requires the use of a clutch lever to disengage the clutch. It still employs static clutch springs and if you release the clutch lever, with the brake on, it will stall the engine.

Click here to learn more about MTC’s Gen II Multistage Lockup

Have more questions, give them a call at 800-827-9210

MTC Engineering LLC
428 Shearer Blvd, Cocoa, FL 32922 USA
Sales: (800) 827-9210 • Sales@mtceng.com
International & Tech Support: (321) 636-9480