what is the best way to oil the centrifigal clutch on a 6 hp go-kart?
I hope this is a general enough guestion as to not need the engine/model #.

 

Centrifugal clutches have shoes that are thrown out when the clutch revolves. The shoes lock onto the side of the clutch housing. If you oil the clutch, the shoes will not grab. NEVER oil a centrifigal clutch. Simply disassemble and clean. You might clean with brake cleaner as it doesn't leave a residue when it drys.

Also, at one time we used to place our chains in a pot filled with oil and heat the oil on the stove or outside on the grill. Then we would hang the chain and let it drip. We found oil would get into the clutch and cause it to slip. Now we clean the chain with brake cleaner and allow to dry. Spray with chain wax and allow to dry. Chain wax can be bought at any motorcycle shop.

I raced go karts for years.

 

If you oil the clutch, the shoes will not grab

That is my concern, but there is a sticker that says to oil chain and clutch. That was kinda thowing me off.
I like the disassemble and cleanig approach better.
Tx for response

 

Some clutches have a grease fitting to allow you to grease the slip-ring, and some do not. A few drops of oil at the center of the clutch should get a little in there to lube it, but don't allow any to get in around the clutch part. Oiling or greasing the right way and the right area will not cause problems. Overdoing it is the main problem. Just a drop or two, where the engine shaft turns in the clutch, from the outside.

 

Sorry boman, Cheese is correct. There is a spindle bearing on the inside of the clutch that rides on the crank shaft. Very lightly oil the spindle bearing. Just dip the end of your finger in a can of motor oil and rub it around on the bearing. We use motor oil, not household 3-n-1 oil.

As I said in my previous post, periodically clean the clutch. This is important. The clutch gets hot. Too hot causes bearings to fail. A dirty clutch gets hotter than a clean clutch. Oil would reduce the heat, but then the clutch won't grab. So reduce the heat by keeping it clean. We spray out with compressed air. Then spray out with brake cleaner and allow to dry. Then spray out with compressed air again.

As for the idle, RPM, etc., you can do two things. Adjust the idle on the carb or increase the RPM's at which the clutch engages. You adjust the clutch engagement by putting on new, heavier, shoes.

If you want all the help you could ever want on go karts, go to http://www.4cycle.com

 

Or you could upgrade to a racing clutch that fulls up with oil and you rarely have to replace the shoes. The oil provides just enough slip so that the clutch doesn't engage while idling.