wet vs dry clutch whats the difference?

[PhiSig1071]

Oh, I also forgot, dry clutches shed heat more effectively (into air rather than into hot oil) which causes less plate expansion. As wet clutch plates expand they shed material due to friction which will get into the oil and can cause premature wear to bearings and other parts in the engine. Also, due to the oncreased number of plates necessary a wet clutch requires a harder "pull" in order to engage and disengage.

[Rider]

Originally Posted by PhiSig1071

Oh, I also forgot, dry clutches shed heat more effectively (into air rather than into hot oil) which causes less plate expansion. As wet clutch plates expand they shed material due to friction which will get into the oil and can cause premature wear to bearings and other parts in the engine. Also, due to the oncreased number of plates necessary a wet clutch requires a harder "pull" in order to engage and disengage.

I assume that with the extra plates and oil, wet clutches add more weight as well right?

[PhiSig1071]

Originally Posted by Rider

I assume that with the extra plates and oil, wet clutches add more weight as well right?

Originally Posted by PhiSig1071

"Wet" Clutches are more consistent in operation and have a longer service life due to a more consistent operating temperature, however they have more tendency to slip due to the fluid they are in, thus they require more friction plates. This causes a greater parasitic loss through the clutch due to the resistance of the fluid and the increased mass of more plates. Dry clutches are pretty much the opposite, they are not as consistent and they don't last as long, but they cause less parasitic loss because of fewer plates and less rotating resistence.

Yep, sure do. Although the oil difference is minimal, and the weight doesn't have as much of an effect on handling as it does the parasitic loss in the drivetrain. Total weight difference is no more than a few lbs, if that.

[BobTheBiker]

this is what I was wondering pretty much. thanks.

[PhiSig1071]

No Problem!

[fnfalman]

The problem with dry clutch is that they drag badly when they heat up. The advantage is that they engage positively.

So, for a race bike, dry clutch doesn't hurt, but for a street bike, dry clutch bites the big one.

[marko138]

Good insight, Phi.

[101lifts2]

Originally Posted by PhiSig1071

Oh, I also forgot, dry clutches shed heat more effectively (into air rather than into hot oil) which causes less plate expansion. As wet clutch plates expand they shed material due to friction which will get into the oil and can cause premature wear to bearings and other parts in the engine. Also, due to the oncreased number of plates necessary a wet clutch requires a harder "pull" in order to engage and disengage.

Clutches only create heat when they are slipping.

[PhiSig1071]

Originally Posted by 101lifts2

Clutches only create heat when they are slipping.

Um, no.

Friction creates heat. Whenever the clutch engages and disengages it creates friction between two surfaces being slowly (or occasionally rapidly, eh Ebbs?) moved together or apart. That generates heat. Not as much heat as if the plates are worn out and they slip, but it still generates heat.

[anthonyk]

Originally Posted by PhiSig1071

Also, due to the oncreased number of plates necessary a wet clutch requires a harder "pull" in order to engage and disengage.

Interesting... I'd expect the opposite. More plates = more friction (though maybe the oil negates that) and so less squeezing force is required by the springs to get the same amount of total friction out of the thing.