Eliminate Your TG Clutch?

[Trent]

A couple of weeks ago, the shop guys at my dealership asked me if I was interested in trying out a new product. Of course I always take them up on those offers. A local company here in Boise makes heavy duty clutch parts for dirt and motocross applications. They have developed a new assembly that eliminates you having to use the clutch, just like I had on my Honda Trail 90 when I was 9 years old. Just roll off the throttle and shift,,, up or down. They were looking for guys to try them out on big Harley touring bikes, and really wanted to try one on a TG.

The shop guys thought of me first. So,, my favorite tech has one on his RoadGlide, and he and the factory guy installed one in my TG yesterday. I only rode from the shop to home,,less than a mile, but it worked great for that distance. Sat at 2 lights idling in 1st gear with the foot brake on, and not applying the clutch. Worked great!! I am going to give it a good workout this weekend, and so is my tech guy. Factory guy told me to abuse it. My tech said it works better the more you warm it up.

I went thru their manf plant the other day, and they have a big older Ultra on a dyno running it and shifting it non stop...Has gone 20,000 miles with no problems. If I like it, I can keep it,, just keep them updated on performance,,,or they will take it out and put my old assembly back in if I don't like it. I am not advertising for them at all,, just thought this new product might appeal to someone with physical issues that make a clutch a pain. I have no problem using my clutch,, even without a ClutchWiz!!...But this eliminates using the clutch all together. Last weekend while slinging Tubby thru some 65 mile an hour curves, I started thinking how nice it would be to not have to compromise my left grip to downshift. Of course, you can still use the clutch if you want to. You just don't need to.

I will report back on here the results from this weekends pounding if any of you are interested. Here is their website www.rekluse.com Zook..!! If this is not allowed, just tell me and I will remove it..no problem at all!!!

 

[rap47]

Sounds interesting, keep us posted.

 

[mikestrike]

Thanks for posting. I would definitely be interested in this product. Not for my trike or me but for a bike for my wife who wants to learn how to ride. I let her drive my trike in a parking lot (with me in the rear seat) and had a very difficult time with the clutch pull even with the clutchwiz. To make a long story short, she is not very cordinated with her hand and feet combination.
That being said, it would definitely benefit her learning how to ride.

 

[Brentwood Bob]

Sounds like a great idea. I think a lot of folks will be interested in something like this. Thanks for sharing.

 

[msocko3]

Don't know the name but a guy who works for the same company I do has a Harley bagger with a clutch like this. He can't pull a clutch in with his left hand so when he got his new bagger a couple years ago they found one like the OP is talking about.

 

[sprinkman]

EFM auto clutch has had them out for some time now http://www.efmautoclutch.com/faq.shtml. They are located in rootstown, Ohio visit there site they have demo's to watch.

 

[Geezzer Glide]

Well I don't need it yet but the arthritis in my hands is only slowly getting worse. I may have to consider it one day.
Dan

 

[John Luciano]

Only good on a Harley or is it possible to be installed on any bike? Mor info. What does it take to install or remove....

 

[Trent]

Only good on a Harley or is it possible to be installed on any bike? Mor info. What does it take to install or remove....

Hey John...They are only developing one for a Harley right now...They want to get into that market. I was not there when they installed it so I don't know what is involved..,, but it took him about 45 minutes. I have my old parts in a box, and there are not very many..?? But I am certainly not a mechanic..! I think on their website they have several videos demonstrating some installations of their other assemblies. I am headed out right now to see if I can beat it up..

 

[Dennis Murawski]

I lost the fingers on my left hand last year. I had the EFM auto clutch installed in my Champion trike kit in July. It works but requires some trial an error adjustments to get it to perform at it's best. As installed, it had 12 springs that pushed the disks apart. The level of RPMs needed to overcome the spring pressure made for some difficulty getting started without the clutch slipping a lot. After talking to Gary, the owner of EFM, I took 4 of the 12 springs out. It lowered the point were the clutch started to grab. I just got back from a Dallas to Daytona Beach trip where I pulled a camping trailer the whole time.

At one point I was stopped on a steep incline and from a dead stop I couldn't get the rig going because the clutch was slipping. I had to back down the incline and get a running start to get to the top. I called Gary. He said that the unit has 7/16 steel balls in it, that when spinning, provide the clamping force on the clutch disks. By replacing some of these steel balls with tungsten carbide balls, which are heavier, you can get more clutch friction. I ordered 9 tungsten balls but have not played with their installation. I'll post a followup when this is complete. The long and short of it is, I'm still in the wind riding with my buds.

 

[JJTRIKER]

Cool I tried one of garys in my rune but couldn't get it work but I am interested in one for the harley if you get it to work.

 

[Trent]

Mornin' !! Well,, I put 400 miles on the TG this weekend trying out the new no- clutch assembly. I like it a lot. It was a little challenging to find the sweet spot in the rpm's to upshift, but the down shifting is a breeze, very easy, very smooth and works great. Then you sit at a stop in first gear, no pulling in the clutch, with just your foot on the brake. Sometimes, I didn’t even need to hold the brake,,It would just sit there and idle with no problem. A few times, there was a bit of a lag when starting out from a complete stop,,but then it would grab hold and pin ya back in the seat. I don’t know if there is an adjustment that needs to made to resolve that or not. I have not talked to the mnf yet.

I found that in upshifting, it worked perfectly smooth if I just barely pulled in the clutch,,,And I mean very minutely..Then it was way smoother than my old clutch was when fully engaged, and with barely any effort. My HD tech has one on his bike, and he sez he has the sweet spots figured out for upshifting, and thought it works great. He is a way more proficient rider than me of course, so it didn’t take him long. A few times , I was able to upshift very smoothly with no problem. The down shifting in the middle of high speed curves and twisties was great, and it was nice to not have to compromise my left grip to work the clutch.

Here is one downside though… Like a lotta guys here, I removed my useless parking brake a coupla weeks after I got the TG. Well, it would come in handy now..Ha ha!!! When it is in first gear and not running, you can push the TG around like it is in neutral! No more leaving it in first gear with no worries,,, So,,,I had to utilize the very effective velcro strip on the front brake lever, which works fine of course, And I would rather do that than put that crappy brake back on and deal with it's crappy crap. lol..!

The manf guy told me to abuse it, and I did…A few times while experimenting with it, I banged and jerked things around pretty good,,,making myself wince!... I hate hearing those noises!!. But then it continued to work fine. I don’t know how many miles they want me to try it before they crack it open and take a look at it. I told them at the start they would prob be smarter to get a more efficient operator than me, but they just laughed and said that if I was not very efficient, then that will help their testing if I beat the crap out of it. Ok crazy men,,, your choice! Ha ha..

We are slated for bad weather the next few days, and I have to earn some money to buy more Chrome stuff too, so I will be off the seat till the weekend, and will then bang it around some more.

 

[Dennis Murawski]

The free-wheeling when the engine isn't spinning above the engagement RPM is a real concern. I had the optional Champion parking break installed just because of this (and they ain't cheap). The Velcro strap only applies the brake to the front wheel. With a trailer behind you on a steep gravel incline, the front tire alone could slide. Someone told me that they make a rear brake line ball check valve. You step on the brake pedal to pressurize the line and then close the valve. Even though it was the more costly solution, I went with the parking brake for safety concerns (a check valve failure/mistake can just as easily obstruct the rear brake line). Since I can't use the clutch lever at all, I had to work out my shifting technique by slipping into and out of gears. A slight amount of pressure on the shift lever and a slight throttle roll back will usually do it.

 

[SEAlaskan]

I'm also intersected. I wonder how good it works with stop and start on step up hill grades?
Butch

 

[HarleyPap57]

Thanks for posting. I would definitely be interested in this product. Not for my trike or me but for a bike for my wife who wants to learn how to ride. I let her drive my trike in a parking lot (with me in the rear seat) and had a very difficult time with the clutch pull even with the clutchwiz. To make a long story short, she is not very cordinated with her hand and feet combination.
That being said, it would definitely benefit her learning how to ride.

My wife is the same, would love to have this and get her a trike of her own.

 

[Oldmsocko]

Certainly is a GREAT idea.

 

[HarleyPap57]

The free-wheeling when the engine isn't spinning above the engagement RPM is a real concern. I had the optional Champion parking break installed just because of this (and they ain't cheap). The Velcro strap only applies the brake to the front wheel. With a trailer behind you on a steep gravel incline, the front tire alone could slide. Someone told me that they make a rear brake line ball check valve. You step on the brake pedal to pressurize the line and then close the valve. Even though it was the more costly solution, I went with the parking brake for safety concerns (a check valve failure/mistake can just as easily obstruct the rear brake line). Since I can't use the clutch lever at all, I had to work out my shifting technique by slipping into and out of gears. A slight amount of pressure on the shift lever and a slight throttle roll back will usually do it.

A Line Lock like they use on dragsters to lock the front brakes when they do their burnouts should work just right for the rear brakes. Just apply the brake and set the switch. If they can hold a 3,000 Street Stock Drag Car doing a burnout with those skinny front tires they sure will hold a trike

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/6300...9&cadevice=c&gclid=CK3Lx-vl9cMCFVQ8gQoduawATQ

 

[Trent]

If anyone is still interested in this product, they are now selling a couple of different models. Just click on the website link on the original post. They have a couple of good vids there also... I have no affiliation or anything to do with them,, I just helped as a test subject for a while as a favor to my Tech at my dealership and I am not promoting them at all. I needed a more beefed up clutch put in when I did the stage 4, just for my own peace of mind. But this product could really be helpful to some riders that have an issue using a clutch effectively.

Zook,,, as before, you can take this down if you need to, no problem!

 

[Texan]

Saw something like this demo'd in Sturgis (Rapid City Harley) this last year. Was very impressed with it. Picked up a couple brochures but don't know where I put 'em. Seems the name of the company started with a "R". If I remember they were selling for around $750.00 installed at the show. Basically it was a new clutch basket configuration. Guess there's several companies jumping on this band wagon.

8~\o

 

[HarleyPap57]

Found this about four years ago from Grandeur Cycle in Jonesville, NC. (Just South of Elkin) called a Grandeur Super Auto Clutch.

http://www.grandeurcycle.com/site.htm

I forgot about it until I read this post. Since it's about an hour from me I may have to give them a visit. :Coffee:

 

[Pegasus1300]

So Trent are you then no longer using the Auto clutch? Did you like it while you had it and would you go back if you were not at a stage 4 tune on your trike?

 

[Trent]

Saw something like this demo'd in Sturgis (Rapid City Harley) this last year. Was very impressed with it. Picked up a couple brochures but don't know where I put 'em. Seems the name of the company started with a "R". If I remember they were selling for around $750.00 installed at the show. Basically it was a new clutch basket configuration. Guess there's several companies jumping on this band wagon.

8~\o

It is Rekluse and this is them.. They had a booth at Sturgis this last year. One of their videos shows them doing demos...

 

[Trent]

So Trent are you then no longer using the Auto clutch? Did you like it while you had it and would you go back if you were not at a stage 4 tune on your trike?

I do not have it in my TG now. I tested both models for them and I really did like them a lot. As I stated earlier, I did not like that I could not park my TG in first gear without it rolling easily while in gear. Designers had not thought of that with a trike because a two wheeler in gear with the kick stand down is not rolling anywhere. But, the design engineer said he had a way to fix that issue, and was in the process of doing so for me to try out, but I had already switched back to my heavy duty clutch to handle the stage 4.

And Yes... I would put the heavy duty auto back in there again. It did shift so smooth, it was like butter! They really had me beat it up to try and make it fail, because they would fix and replace everything on their dime of course. I did beat the crap outta that thing trying to break it, and didn't over a coupla thousand miles.... It would be a great product for left hand physical problem issues. Or just the fact that it shifts so smoooooooth.....And you can park at stoplights or wherever, in gear, with just the foot brake on and use your left hand to scratch your butt or wave to people or something...


Cannot say anything bad about the product at all.. along with a no affiliation disclaimer again...!! I was just a guinea pig!!!

 

[Texan]

"...............I did not like that I could not park my TG in first gear without it rolling easily while in gear. Designers had not thought of that with a trike because a two wheeler in gear with the kick stand down is not rolling anywhere. But, the design engineer said he had a way to fix that issue, and was in the process.........!!

Yep, that's them. I posed the same TG issue to them at Sturgis. Left with them scratching their heads. Maybe they've thought of something.

8~\o

 

[Trent]

Yep, that's them. I posed the same TG issue to them at Sturgis. Left with them scratching their heads. Maybe they've thought of something.

8~\o

So,, when you asked them about the Trike rolling while in gear, they did not have an answer huh? Maybe they gave up on figuring out a way to fix that MINOR little problem. I reckon if you still have the parking brake on your TG and wanna deal with that piece of crap, you can always use it to keep from rolling while in gear. My parking brake is in a box on the shelf where it seems to function the best, but that is a whole 'nother discussion with many threads on here to support that.

I should mention that they were all the nicest guys you would ever wanna meet. Very knowledgeable about mechanics of stuff and very down to earth regular guys that all ride some form of bike or another. Just good people to deal with.

 

[Texan]

..........I reckon if you still have the parking brake on your TG and wanna deal with that piece of crap, you can always use it to keep from rolling while in gear. My parking brake is in a box on the shelf where it seems to function the best.....

They made the same remark to me, something about using the parking brake. I ask "what parking brake ?" Mine's also on the shelf in the garage. I do however us a Velcro strap on my front brake lever when parked, BUT didn't share such information with them.

8~\o

 

[Trent]

Well, they must not have figured out the cure for that issue then. Too bad, as that is the only negative concern that I could come up with. I still think it is a good product. I have not had any interaction with them since I did the #4 a year ago, so dunno what they are doing now.

 

[Casper]

I mat have to look into this, with "author" getting worse in my left hand this could be the answer. The 14 TG has to me a stiffer clutch pull...

thanks all