“To clutch or not to clutch that is the question?”

Electric motors will disengage (and free spin) allowing a clutchless gear changes (since the weight of the electric motor is easily overcome by the synchomesh in the transmission). I have seen different companies advocate going clutchless and some keeping the clutch. Clutchless is simple and therefore cheaper. However I listen to the builders that advocate using a clutch and here are the reasons that resonate with me:

#Clutch gives you an emergency disconnect in case of shunt or full on condition.

#Clutchless does place higher strain on the motor and transmission,

#To make the driving experience similar to original petrol engine.

##Clutchless does require adapting driving style to correctly shift without causing serious damage to the motor.

!!!Journal entries

2009 09 16 – New clutch kit ordered

2009 10 05 – Bench testing with clutch mounted