One-Way clutch info wanted please

[woody]

I'd love to understand why Honda puts one way clutches in these but not on dirt bikes with automatic clutches? Can anyone tell me what the one way does and when? Maybe why? Thanks in advance, Woody

[woody]

Surely some of you have a clue, you do ride these things don't you? Easy to get numberous responces to basically nothing stuff, but when a real question is posted, no one steps up. Lets make it a challange, is there anyone on this list that understands what the one-way is for? What it does, and why? Sure seems like a mystery to most even tho this is supposed to be the "knowledge base" on 3 wheelers. I would really appreciate some help here guys/girls. Thanks, Woody

[AutoXer]

the xr 50 doesn't have a one way clutch???

[woody]

Just centrifical added to the standard plate/disc pack, and the shift linkage with balls/cams that releases it when you press or pull on it. No one way. They have been out since 1968, same engine basically, same clutch. I was a Honda mechanic in the late 60s/early 70s. I just wish someone here had a clue about why a one way is needed on a trike??? What is it for, what does it do, when and why? Should be simple to someone who plays with them. I just got an ATC 185s engine and put it on a xl185 frame, trying to figure out what Honda was doing with the one way. I changed over the wiring, lights, etc. to 12 volt and it seems like a super neat trail bike with the automatic clutch, just don't understand what is going on with the one way cams. Why are they needed? What makes a trike different from Hondas' bikes with automatic clutches?

[Dirtcrasher]

To me, they grab during kicking or using ES and slip in the other way.............. I'm not sure whats simpler than that unless gears use things that force them over during starting and then retract after the starting load is off...

[woody]

My 185 is pull start, going directly to the crankshaft. Honda did use one way rollers on many of their electric start street bikes I know, they were rollers on cams, when starting they came down the ramp by spring assist, and locked to the shaft, then when the engine started the rotation was in the direction that released them, they couldn't pull because they ramped away from the shaft. And they stayed in this postion with the springs trying to put them back down on the shaft as long as the engine was running. The one way in my atc185 is not like that at all, but part of the drive. Yet when it is not working, like whirring after shutdown, the thing continues to be driveable.......... mystery of what/why.....