The Puch Maxi is a moped that was manufactured by the Austrian manufacturing company Puch through the 1970s and 1980s that is well known for its reliability, ease of maintenance, and fuel economy (up to 120 mpg). These mopeds gained wide acceptance during the 1973 oil crisis and are still widely available for aftermarkets, and mint examples are still valued by collectors today. It is started using a pedal start mechanism where the user provides the force needed to start the 48cc two stroke engine, or can be ridden like a bicycle when the engine is disengaged. The later models feature a kick start mechanism .
8-455: The Puch Maxi comes in several models: The Puch Maxi uses a 2 stroke 48cc two stroke gasoline engine of 38mm bore 42mm stroke that comes in three horsepower ratings: 1.0, 1.5, and 2 HP that limits the speed to 20 mph (32kmh), 25 mph (40 kmh) and 30 mph (48 kmh) respectively. However, these can be modified by de-restricting the airbox, carburetor, exhaust manifold, pipe, and the use of aftermarket and performance parts. The engine
16-403: A motorcycle clutch. The weighted arms force these disks together and engage the clutch. When the engine reaches a certain speed, the clutch activates, working somewhat like a continuously variable transmission . As the load increases, the speed drops, disengaging the clutch, letting the speed rise again, and reengaging the clutch. If tuned properly, the clutch will tend to keep the speed at or near
24-491: Is a design for a toy 'automatic clutch' in Meccano Magazine of June 1934. Armstrong Siddeley cars featured automatic (centrifugal) clutches beginning in 1936. Thomas Fogarty , who is also credited with inventing the balloon catheter , is credited with inventing a centrifugal clutch for small motor applications in the 1940s. This works on the principle of centrifugal force, which means when engine speed reaches
32-572: Is coupled to either a single speed E50 or a two speed ZA50 transmission. The versions of the transmissions can be identified by the shape of the gearboxes: The E50 has a round gearbox whereas the two speed has a rectangular gearbox. Both transmissions use a centrifugal clutch , the E50 has one, while the ZA50 has two. (one for each gear) Centrifugal clutch A centrifugal clutch is an automatic clutch that uses centrifugal force to operate. The output shaft
40-414: Is disengaged at lower rotational speed and engages as the output increases to a certain speed. It is often used in mopeds , underbones , lawn mowers , go-karts , chainsaws , mini bikes , and some paramotors and boats to keep the engine from stalling when the output shaft is slowed or stopped abruptly, and to remove load when starting and idling. It has been superseded for automobile applications by
48-408: The fluid coupling , torque converter and automated manual transmissions . The input of the clutch is connected to the engine crankshaft while the output may drive a shaft, chain, or belt. As engine revolutions per minute increase, weighted arms in the clutch swing outward and force the clutch to engage. The most common types have friction pads or shoes radially mounted that engage the inside of
56-507: The rim of a housing. On the center shaft, there is an assorted number of extension springs, which connect to a clutch shoe. When the central shaft spins fast enough, the springs extend, causing the clutch shoes to engage the friction face. It can be compared to a drum brake in reverse. This type can be found on most home-built karts , lawn and garden equipment, fuel-powered model cars, and low power chainsaws . Another type used in racing karts has friction and clutch disks stacked together like
64-494: The torque peak of the engine. This results in a fair bit of waste heat , but over a broad range of speeds, it is much more useful than a direct drive in many applications. Centrifugal clutches were used in railway locomotives before 1858, and referred to (in relation to electric motors) in a patent of 1899. A patent was issued in the United States for an automotive centrifugal clutch (on an electric vehicle) in 1898. There
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