Rekluse clutch

[Thrasherg]

Well I just got a second hand Rekluse clutch of eBay for my YZ426 and fitted it this weekend.. I have never ridden an automatic bike before so it will be intersting to see how I get along with it (after 25 years of using a clutch). I like the way I have it setup in automatic mode, but I have the remote perch adjuster and find that the clutch lever is incredibly light and lacking in feel, is there anything that can be done to give the clutch lever a bit more feel or is this just the nature of the overide on an automatic clutch.. I am already impressed at how much easier it is to manuver the bike over tight slow obstacles (when I am standing up) when you don't have to use the clutch lever! This seems like it's going to be fun.. Finding Neutral is a bit more awkward unless I pull the clutch lever in.. I guess I will adapt, but I can't help thinking that this automatic clutch lark is cheating!! ?

[r1rider871]

Well I just got a second hand Rekluse clutch of eBay for my YZ426 and fitted it this weekend.. I have never ridden an automatic bike before so it will be intersting to see how I get along with it (after 25 years of using a clutch). I like the way I have it setup in automatic mode, but I have the remote perch adjuster and find that the clutch lever is incredibly light and lacking in feel, is there anything that can be done to give the clutch lever a bit more feel or is this just the nature of the overide on an automatic clutch.. I am already impressed at how much easier it is to manuver the bike over tight slow obstacles (when I am standing up) when you don't have to use the clutch lever! This seems like it's going to be fun.. Finding Neutral is a bit more awkward unless I pull the clutch lever in.. I guess I will adapt, but I can't help thinking that this automatic clutch lark is cheating!!

THe pro version offers a bit more feel like stock, but it will never be the same. I like that it only requires a 1 finger pull. I rarely use my override though. I am running the left hand rear brake setup on my 06 YZ450. I like it so much I did the same to my KTM:thumbsup:

My buddy hates me though. Says I am a cheater all the time:prof: He wants one so bad now!

[ftheie]

I thought the point of installing the Rekluse was that you didn't have to mess with the clutch anymore. I put one on my KTM 520 (now 540) and dig the thing!! I S&%$canned my clutch lever. When riding in technical terrain it is like cheating!! For open trails, desert, fire roads, i don't feel there is as much of a benefit.

[Thrasherg]

I agree that I shouldn't need the clutch, but it's a bit of a security blanket (after 25 years of using a clutch) I like to have it there. I agree that on open area's it doesn't seem to be an advantage, but sneaking around trees and rocks, I found it really nice..

[ncmountainman]

the override comes in handy when you have the stall speed set very near to idle(which i feel is the best way) and you can actually lug out of power in certain situations.

[DMC707]

override would be a necessity for a mx start as well

[Thrasherg]

The more I ride this YZ426, the more I like the bike and the Rekluse clutch, I still keep grabbing the clutch lever every now and then, but I am slowly learning to leave it alone.. We went out with the kids today and then Daddy got 30 minutes to play on the MX track and whilst I was only getting 4 to 6 feet of air, it felt good, I can't believe it's been 3 years since I last rode on dirt.. The YZ has a lovely power delivery, it may not be up with a CRF, but for this 44 year old father, it's the bees knees.. Can't wait to go out again next weekend!! What a bike..

[eazrider]

Keep that clutch lever in case the throttle sticks....most folks never think of what happens when the throttle sticks with an auto clutch.....it's not pretty....

[Thrasherg]

I have not seen any articles on the auto clutch sticking.. Is this a known issue, or are you just pointing out that it could happen?

[grayracer513]

The auto clutch is engaged by centrifugal force whenever the engine speed is over the set stall speed. If the clutch is engaged when the throttle decides to stick, it will not disengage unless you do so manually. As unlikely as it is that a two cable throttle would stick, the poster's point was that if it does, and you don't have a manual override, you'll be, well, stuck. Except for the kill button.

[ncmountainman]

if thats a issue i'd reccomend the pro version because after about 4-5k rpm's the old style rekluse is near impossible to override at the hand lever:thumbsup:

[Thrasherg]

I must admitt I have not tried dissengaging the clutch at 5000RPM.. I rev'd the bike to around 4000RPM with the clutch lever pulled in and the bike made no attempt to move forwards.. I will try higher revs this weekend.. I also noticed that one of my throttle cables has started to freigh, so I will replace both cables before I get a stuck throttle!! and have to use the overide in a panic situation!!

[Thrasherg]

Well I tried reving the engine like crazy this weekend and I could easily dissengage the clutch and engage the clutch with the engine screaming, so mine at least does NOT have a problem with engaging/disengaging when the engine is doing more than 5K RPM... Maybe the one you tried was not setup correctly? I spent the entire Saturday trail riding and playing on the MX track at Cross Creek and had a great time.. I really like the Rekluse clutch..

[mw10403]

Well I just got a second hand Rekluse clutch of eBay for my YZ426 and fitted it this weekend.. I have never ridden an automatic bike before so it will be intersting to see how I get along with it (after 25 years of using a clutch). I like the way I have it setup in automatic mode, but I have the remote perch adjuster and find that the clutch lever is incredibly light and lacking in feel, is there anything that can be done to give the clutch lever a bit more feel or is this just the nature of the overide on an automatic clutch.. I am already impressed at how much easier it is to manuver the bike over tight slow obstacles (when I am standing up) when you don't have to use the clutch lever! This seems like it's going to be fun.. Finding Neutral is a bit more awkward unless I pull the clutch lever in.. I guess I will adapt, but I can't help thinking that this automatic clutch lark is cheating!!

What clutch did you use, I can’t find one on their website that fits the 426

[Thrasherg]

It was an early recluse, version 1 or 2, it had about 20 large ball bearings that you had to balance on the clutch and then an outer cover went on top to hold them in place. I doubt recluse make it any more. Their more recent designs (which I have on my crf450x’s) are much easier to install and setup, but recluse probably doesn’t cover the 426 as it quite an old design. 

Gary

[tmeyer37]

2 hours ago, Thrasherg said:

It was an early recluse, version 1 or 2, it had about 20 large ball bearings that you had to balance on the clutch and then an outer cover went on top to hold them in place. I doubt recluse make it any more. Their more recent designs (which I have on my crf450x’s) are much easier to install and setup, but recluse probably doesn’t cover the 426 as it quite an old design. 

Gary

The version the OP has is the z start pro. They may have discontinued it for the 426 though. The clutch for the 426 is very similar to the 450 though. I seem to remember a thread recently with a guy using a 450 clutch set up to get a rekluse. 

[tmeyer37]

2 minutes ago, tmeyer37 said:

The version the OP has is the z start pro. They may have discontinued it for the 426 though. The clutch for the 426 is very similar to the 450 though. I seem to remember a thread recently with a guy using a 450 clutch set up to get a rekluse. 

 

[Wrfrk]

I've run a Rekluse clutch in a handful of bikes now and at this point I just don't think I'd ever go back to not having one. I currently have one in my '16 YZ450 and it's just awesome, at no point do I feel it's a disadvantage even on MX starts. I can still use the clutch as normal if I want to so from a start line it's not different. Someone earlier mentioned something about a Rekluse sticking, that's not something I've ever heard of or read about, would like more details on that nugget, personally I really doubt it's something to worry about.

Just in case anyone is wondering, I'm running the RadiusX version, only downside is that the clutch pull is stiffer but only for a moment on initial pull in low revs. If you're on the gas going into a corner or something then the pull is much lighter than stock pull. Anyhow, it's a great option and under $600 so less pain on the pocket.