Clutch Operation

[Stylo Seagull]

Hi All

New to Seagull ownership, so please be gentle on my first post.

I have a '72 forty plus and a '69 featherweight, but both are direct drive type models.

Can anyone explain to me how the clutch mechanism works in a clutched seagull? I have an inquisitive mind

I can see the lever on clutched models and a fork type effort down near the gearbox, but just wondered what went on inside.

Thanks - Loving this forum. I'm learning lots daily.

Jon

[charlesp]

When the clutch is engaged the forks push the drive shaft, complete with crown wheel, away from the pinion. This removes the drive.

[Stylo Seagull]

simple as that eh?

still, not sure why i'm so surprised when the seagull looks like simplicity itself.

so the gears are just wedged apart by the fork?..... excellent.

[Oyster 49]

I think the original 102 clutch is great piece of work.

The gear sits on the prop shaft and is free to rotate around the prop shaft, and both the prop shaft and gearwheel have dogs. The gear is held in position by the shim washer and end cap. The gearshaft when moved by the clutch lever enages or disengages the dogs. Brilliant Here's a picture

The gears are not wedged apart, but the dogs are. The gear just rotates, the shaft can go left or right..

So the options are
1. lever up, shaft to the right gear does not drive propshaft.
2. Lever down, shaft to the left, dogs engaged, shaft and gear rotate together.

It all runs in a mush of oil and water.

[charlesp]

Oyster's photo is a good one, and illuminates in detail my stupidity in omitting to remember the dogs.. Doh.