oldskool
13th July 2012, 14:13
Recently I purchased a Rekluse EXP from Sutto's Australia. I've used the Rekluse EXP in my bike for about 5 hours now. I am really happy with it. But I've noticed the bike has developed a loud knocking sound from the right hand side over that time.
I sent the bike into the local bike shop (Spectrum Kawasaki) with instructions to replace the piston and while doing that, to check the play on the big end, and also to adjust the valves. Greg, the mech, did all that and advised in his professional opinion the big end had no play, so on my instructions he didn't split the cases and do a full overhaul. But during the run-in cycles he was puzzled as to why there was a clackety clack knocking sound. He has no experience with Rekluse auto clutches so couldn't comment any further.
I didn't like the sound, it just doesn't sound a healthy sound, so later I opened the clutch cover and removed the pressure plate and plate stack. I gave the clutch basket a good wriggle and imo it is loose. I suspect the rubber dampers may have softened/flogged as although I am not a mechanic there seems to be a lot of play in there.
So to double check if it was the EXP, I replaced the EXP with the full set of OEM clutch plates and ran the bike. The noise was still there. But I am pretty sure the sound wasn't as loud and noisy as it is now before I first installed the EXP. The clutch basket has no signs of grooving between the fingers, or heat discoloration.
I am awaiting the arrival of a clutch basket removal tool before I can remove the basket to have a look behind it. I'll be surprised if the rivets are loose. I'm thinking it's the rubber cushions.
I have googled in search of after market rubber cushions for the RMZ. Barnett Clutches might supply the cushions as an accessory. I'm not sure if they would be a universal fit or whether I need to buy a Barnett Basket to match. Then there is the question whether the Rekluse is compatible with the Barnett Basket. I'm not sure whether Wiseco supply cushions with their baskets.
So yeah. The question is.. Are the unusual noises from the clutch/basket: cushion flogging, and was it prematurely caused by the Rekluse EXP?
I sent the bike into the local bike shop (Spectrum Kawasaki) with instructions to replace the piston and while doing that, to check the play on the big end, and also to adjust the valves. Greg, the mech, did all that and advised in his professional opinion the big end had no play, so on my instructions he didn't split the cases and do a full overhaul. But during the run-in cycles he was puzzled as to why there was a clackety clack knocking sound. He has no experience with Rekluse auto clutches so couldn't comment any further.
I didn't like the sound, it just doesn't sound a healthy sound, so later I opened the clutch cover and removed the pressure plate and plate stack. I gave the clutch basket a good wriggle and imo it is loose. I suspect the rubber dampers may have softened/flogged as although I am not a mechanic there seems to be a lot of play in there.
So to double check if it was the EXP, I replaced the EXP with the full set of OEM clutch plates and ran the bike. The noise was still there. But I am pretty sure the sound wasn't as loud and noisy as it is now before I first installed the EXP. The clutch basket has no signs of grooving between the fingers, or heat discoloration.
I am awaiting the arrival of a clutch basket removal tool before I can remove the basket to have a look behind it. I'll be surprised if the rivets are loose. I'm thinking it's the rubber cushions.
I have googled in search of after market rubber cushions for the RMZ. Barnett Clutches might supply the cushions as an accessory. I'm not sure if they would be a universal fit or whether I need to buy a Barnett Basket to match. Then there is the question whether the Rekluse is compatible with the Barnett Basket. I'm not sure whether Wiseco supply cushions with their baskets.
So yeah. The question is.. Are the unusual noises from the clutch/basket: cushion flogging, and was it prematurely caused by the Rekluse EXP?