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Automatic clutch Automatic clutch
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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 17 Nov 2002
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Automatic clutch
For off-roaders fitting an auto-clutch as a replacement part for the OEM basket is a mod I SERIOUSLY ADVISE.

Several sources now offer replacement units and although expensive, these units a extremely worthwhile foor travelling off-road; it reduces fatique, gets rid of the clutch lever and makes is possible to fit the brake pedal to the handlebars, freeing your rhs leg for balancing.
Because of the auto-clutch the engine becomes unstallable. A GREAT advantage on even an e-start bike but a must on a kick-started bike.

A big motto for off-roading is keeping it simple; this is making things a lot simpler!
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  #2  
Old 18 Nov 2002
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Huh, do I get this right? An automatic clutch for a motorbike?
Never seen it, never heard about it, can't imagin how it works.
So please some extra info. Where do you find it? Pictures? How does it work?


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  #3  
Old 18 Nov 2002
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Like automatic washer or something? Great for big american cruiser not offroad bike. I can't image how use it in hard terrain?! But it sound's very, very interesting! Please contact!
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  #4  
Old 19 Nov 2002
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There are several solutions and I opted for the RevLoc. More info on this on www.revloc.com per exemple.
The subject itself is more than extensively covered on www.husaberg.org under keyword 'revloc'.
To sum it up:
it's always 'free' unless the rising revs force a row of balls to the outside on their ramp, pushing the plates together.
Smoother then I ever could and I once won a big-twin class sprint championship....
In tight stuff it is a great help and makes it possible to climb rocky hills that you would never think of tackling, but the biggest advantage by far is that it is A LOT safer in dangrous mountainous country.
I also opted for the handoperated brake and thus can use both legs for balancing.
The downside is that it's expensive, but it is more than worth the expense. I'd rather buy last years bike at a discount and add the auto-clutch than have the newest bike without it.
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  #5  
Old 22 Nov 2002
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I believe there are atleast 3 current model year bikes with semi-automatic gearboxes. KTM is one of them...I saw a TV show about them. There is even a 4stroke snowmachine available now too

Steve
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  #6  
Old 23 Nov 2002
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No Steve, at least not on 250 cc + bikes. Only Canondale offers it as an option. All others are aftermarket. KTM for sure is after market. The only automatics they do are kids-bikes.
ATV/Quads is another matter though, as are motorscooters. These come almost exclusively at least semi-automatic. That's why it is sóó strange. The technology is available and even in production within the same companies! The japanese four and Rotax van supply a 4-stroke bike engine with semi- or full automatic off the shelve!! Polaris even has engines with CV trannies that would fit into a bike like a glove without a glitch.
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Old 23 Nov 2002
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That's really strange that they aren't available because I didn't dream the television show. Perhaps they are upcoming bikes or they failed to say all of them were aftermarket...but I saw it about a year ago.

So, the clutches go for 1000$US with plates and fibres. That's a heck of a lot but it should get cheaper as they grow in production. I hope it becomes common so that more people start riding.

Steve
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  #8  
Old 25 Nov 2002
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Automatic end semi-automatics on bikes are VERY rare. Guzzi was a pioneer with a 2-speed and torque converter. Honda had a CB400A and there where a few more.
Off-road there are only two examples: the seventies Rokon and the eighties Husqvarna. That's all I'm afraid and it completely beats me why. Or rather I know why, it's a macho thing with the buyers, but I don't understand it. It's easily even worth the $1000 extra! I'd rather buy last years bike with a discount and add the clutch then get the latest model, what, rather a séveral years late model!!
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