Rekluse z-Start Pro Auto Clutch

[MalMember]

I purchased a Rekluse z-Start Pro Clutch for my Husky WR300 from Mal at Suttos. I was finding that I stalled the engine a lot down hills (probably an idle/jetting issue) and having to hold the clutch in, brake and steer the bike in rough single track was taxing on the mind and body, so after talking to a few guys that have the Rekluse, and riding a couple of bikes with them, I decided to make the purchase.

For those that don’t know what a Rekluse is or how it works. It’s basically a centrifugal (auto) clutch. No manual clutch is needed, although it still works if you find the need to manually slip the clutch. It works by steel (and tungsten) balls moving outward from the center on ramps to apply pressure to the pressure plate at a controlled preset rate. This rate can be adjusted from hard to soft depending on the amount of tungsten balls. No tungsten balls are the soft rate and 3 or more tungsten balls for the hard rate. The engagement RPM is also adjustable depending on the type of bike and terrain you ride. This is set by using 1 of 3 springs that sit between the pressure plate and the Rekluse center clutch.

This clutch does not turn your gearbox into a ‘Constant Variable Transmission’. Although you can select third gear and twist the throttle and the clutch will do it best to engage, you can also do the same with a manual clutch. If you select the gear you would normally use for the terrain you’re on then clutch slip should be kept to a minimum. One guy I talked to had some reservations about the amount of heat that could be generated with the clutch slipping. If you use it for its intended purpose then the heat generated shouldn’t be any more than using the clutch manually.

Fitting was easy with very detailed instructions with photos and diagrams. Basically you remove your standard clutch leaving the outside clutch basket, separate the friction discs and then install the various parts of the Rekluse. You use your friction discs and install new clutch plates.

I set mine up to the recommended setting of a medium engagement RPM and a hard engagement rate. There is a running in procedure that allows the balls and new clutch plates to settle in which is accelerating slowly to about half throttle 20 times. Then drain the gearbox oil and check the pressure measurement. After the run in I had a little squirt around the yard and thought the clutch was engaging a little late as it was fully engaged just before the power band come on. This made the bike a lot snappier than I wanted. I tested it on a single track that I have been doing a bit lately and it was a bit scary, taking up late and slipping a lot at low revs. So back at the car I changed the engagement RPM spring from medium to low and had a quick run around the parking area before the other riders turned up. It felt a lot better.

We set off to do about 20kms of single track with a few hills thrown in. I was very impressed with the clutch. I have a lot more confidence on the bike now and felt like I was riding faster. You still have compression braking when you back off, just not when you jump on the back brake (brake sliding). You have to give the engine a little rev and the clutch locks up and you have engine braking. This is not much of concern on a two stroke but the four stroke boys will notice it big time.

I will post more thoughts as I put more kms on the clutch in different terrain.

[MalMember]

Suttos are the importors for the rekluse clutch, so give Mal a call a have chat if you feel this type of clutch is for you.

http://www.rekluse.com/

Some photos of the installation.

Standard clutch.

Rekluse center and standard outer basket.

Parts to install.

Clutch plates and friction discs in.

Center clutch.

Spring guide on top of clutch trough out rod

Enngagement RPM spring. The blue one. The other one is there for moral support I think.

Pressure with balls ready to go.

Pressure sitting in ready to line up.

Top pressure plate installed and ready to go.

[alanMember]

they have had these in posties for years mal rode the husaberg 390 at the christmas party it had one i just rode it the way i normaly do and could not tell the difference very nice bike but .have often thought would they be easyer on your gear box as i don t always use the clutch especialy when tyred or just hanging on :ohmy: or the occasional flat shift :laugh:

[Anonymous]

Excellent step by step Mal. I rode the Burg at Louee that was fitted with a Rekluse and reckon that having one fitted would be excellent.

Keep the reviews coming Mal.

[MalMember]

white rocket wrote:

Quote:

they have had these in posties for years mal rode the husaberg 390 at the christmas party it had one i just rode it the way i normaly do and could not tell the difference very nice bike but .have often thought would they be easyer on your gear box as i don t always use the clutch especialy when tyred or just hanging on :ohmy: or the occasional flat shift :laugh:

Yes I was waiting for the postie thing Rocket. Thanks mate. But you’re right it’s all the same principle. I think the clutch would be a bit easier on the gearbox.

I rode the Berg at Louee as well. I also rode a 550 and 650 Berg with the Rekluse and read a few posts of guys with them in two strokes. It’s a personal thing really, I now don’t have to go grabbing for the clutch into corners or down hills and can concetrate on riding as I lose concentration very easily these days.

[GregMember]

Great Report Mal, funny I just had a coffee with Sutto’s Mal here in Wollongong and he loved the write up and will show Sutto tomorrow

TB

[Dwayne OMember]

Excellent report/review there mate
Pics are awsome & explain a lot about the Rekluse,,, I saw you guys riding the Berg at Louee & am kicking myself now that I didn`t have a go But I knew I would want one ASAP & that wasn`t gonna happen :laugh:

Keep us informed on the long term performance etc, there have been some reportd that they can be a bit tricky on setup & adjustment etc (Ollie I think had some probs)

Cheers anyway

[TrentMember]

I’m keen to watch this – I had issues with my bike on the murph ride on stalling a lot on downhills and that’s what I’ll be blaming my pipe ding on :p

I’ve upped my idle already and I’ll be trying to learn how to handle the bike without stalling but as a last resort I think this would be a good solution. Gives the opportunity for a left hand rear brake too if you want it. I’d love a LHRB but that’s cos I haven’t learnt how to slide the rear using my foot brake yet and I don’t want to engineer out my shortfalls yet

[MalMember]

Thanks Eagle. The set up is not that hard, you just have to understand how the clutch works and what you want it to do for you.

AB – I think the stalling down hill is a jetting/idle issue for me anyway. But most of the two stroke guys I’ve riding with ‘blip’ the throttle down hils. I was doing this while holding the clutch in, on the front brake and trying to steer as well. Now it seems easier as I still ‘blip’ when the engine sounds like it’s dieing off, but this ensures the rekluse is engaged as well. I have seen guys on other forums using the left hand rear brake. Not that keen on it myself as I like the option of still using the manual clutch. I’ll be up for a Murphsberg ride in early Feb so hopehully you can come along and have a squirt on it.

I rode the same tracks on Sunday as Saturday and the rekluse feels better again. Now I can ‘feel’ when it engages and can use the throttle to slip it when needed, like on a technical hill I can make small throttle adjustments to control traction and when I’m comfortable I can just open the throttle and hang on. :woohoo:

[Dwayne OMember]

mal5.1 wrote:

Quote:

I rode the same tracks on Sunday as Saturday and the rekluse feels better again. Now I can ‘feel’ when it engages and can use the throttle to slip it when needed, like on a technical hill I can make small throttle adjustments to control traction and when I’m comfortable I can just open the throttle and hang on. :woohoo:

Thats what I like about the concept Mal, would make climbs easier I reckon, having more control
Cheers

[glennMember]

mal5.1 wrote:

Quote:

Thanks Eagle. The set up is not that hard, you just have to understand how the clutch works and what you want it to do for you.

AB – I think the stalling down hill is a jetting/idle issue for me anyway. But most of the two stroke guys I’ve riding with ‘blip’ the throttle down hils. I was doing this while holding the clutch in, on the front brake and trying to steer as well. Now it seems easier as I still ‘blip’ when the engine sounds like it’s dieing off, but this ensures the rekluse is engaged as well. I have seen guys on other forums using the left hand rear brake. Not that keen on it myself as I like the option of still using the manual clutch. I’ll be up for a Murphsberg ride in early Feb so hopehully you can come along and have a squirt on it.

I rode the same tracks on Sunday as Saturday and the rekluse feels better again. Now I can ‘feel’ when it engages and can use the throttle to slip it when needed, like on a technical hill I can make small throttle adjustments to control traction and when I’m comfortable I can just open the throttle and hang on. :woohoo:

your a cheat Mal :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[MalMember]

Works for me Boony.

[Dwayne OMember]

Boony wrote:

Quote:

mal5.1 wrote:

Quote:

Thanks Eagle. The set up is not that hard, you just have to understand how the clutch works and what you want it to do for you.

AB – I think the stalling down hill is a jetting/idle issue for me anyway. But most of the two stroke guys I’ve riding with ‘blip’ the throttle down hils. I was doing this while holding the clutch in, on the front brake and trying to steer as well. Now it seems easier as I still ‘blip’ when the engine sounds like it’s dieing off, but this ensures the rekluse is engaged as well. I have seen guys on other forums using the left hand rear brake. Not that keen on it myself as I like the option of still using the manual clutch. I’ll be up for a Murphsberg ride in early Feb so hopehully you can come along and have a squirt on it.

I rode the same tracks on Sunday as Saturday and the rekluse feels better again. Now I can ‘feel’ when it engages and can use the throttle to slip it when needed, like on a technical hill I can make small throttle adjustments to control traction and when I’m comfortable I can just open the throttle and hang on. :woohoo:

your a cheat Mal :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

No Cheat,, just smart I reckon :woohoo:

[glennMember]

mal5.1 wrote:

Quote:

Works for me Boony.

fair call 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
good onya with doing it yaself and all.

I seen them things at louee and they blew my mind. :huh:

[scott bockingMember]

So with this setup I could run my rear brake on the bars? That would siut me fine. Would it still allow me to loft the front wheel over logs as if I had a manual clutch and if the answer to that is yes, how much?

STM

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