Slow harley golf cart

budda blue

I have a 1970 harley davidson gas 3 wheel golf cart. It seems very slow only goes about 10 miles per hour. Any ideas on how to make it faster and have more power?

BGW

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73eldo

I don't actually know how fast these go, I don't think 10 is too far off.

You need to figure out if you are dealing with just a lack of engine power issue or a clutch problem. Has this got stock size tires on it? Does it act the same both forward and reverse?

I would start by safely jacking the back wheels off the ground and running it with the body up so you can watch the belt. Don't go crazy and rev the heck out of it. At rest the belt should be sitting deep in the engine pulley and pretty much flush with the top of the axle pulley. As you gently accelerate the belt should climb till its pretty much flush with the top of the motor pulley.

If that is not what is happening you have a clutch issue and we need to investigate that. If the belt moves some but does not get flush you may just have a worn or incorrect belt.

If that all works then we have to move on and start troubleshooting an figure out why you are not making power.

budda blue

I will try that this weekend and let you know what I find out. I do know it goes faster in reverse than forward.

tew45

If all is in good condition, 20 MPH is about max! Power of a 8 hp engine is still not fantastic but good.

budda blue

Well everything was good with belt. Got up to about 3/16 away from flush both in reverse and forward. Any other ideas?

73eldo

Then maybe its a lack of power issue. Do you have a compression tester? That would be a good test. See what its reading both forward and reverse.

Since you said its stronger in reverse you could try tweaking the timing a bit to see if that peps it up a bit. You don't need any fancy tools you just make a mark where it is now then move it slightly and see what changes. If it gets worse you went the wrong way. I go for a good balance between F and R maybe slightly favoring F.

backyard

Here is a good read about clutches.
http://www.golfcarcatalog.com/golf-c...utches-part-2/