"The z-Start Pro is awesome!!! Easy to install and works great. I had a blast, didn't arm pump, and most importantly I didn't cramp up on the clutch hand like I have been suffering from the last year or so." - David Gronlund
Featured Rekluse rider for August is Pierre Koether of Boise, ID! Check him out training for the 2008 EnduroCross season, on his way to 7th place at Round One!
FAQ: Rekluse ProStart Clutch for Harley-Davidson
Q. What is a ProStart Clutch? A. The ProStart Clutch is an automatic clutch designed to work with Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The ProStart Clutch allows the rider to control the bike by simply using the throttle and eliminates the need to use the clutch lever for starting and stopping. The ProStart provides smooth stops and starts every time and eliminates stalling.
Q. Does the ProStart automatically shift the gears? A. No, the ProStart uses centrifugal force to automatically engage or disengage the clutch, allowing the rider to still shift gears. It is still necessary to ride in the appropriate gear.
Q. Can I eliminate the clutch lever if I get a ProStart? A. You can eliminate the clutch lever completely. However, Rekluse strongly recommends that the rider retain the clutch lever in conjunction with the ProStart to allow for smoother shifting. The gearing in the Harley-Davidson may make it difficult for some riders to smoothly up shift without the clutch lever to completely disengage the clutch.
Q. How does a ProStart work? A. Great! You should buy one.
The ProStart Clutch uses a system of balls and ramps that use centrifugal force to engage the pressure plate in the clutch. At engine idle, the balls are down in the slots on the pressure plate. As RPM increases, the balls climb the ramps by centrifugal force and start to push against the ProStart top plate. At approximately 1100 RPM the balls force the pressure plate into the clutch basket and begin to engage the clutch. At approximately 2250 RPM, the ProStart Clutch is fully engaged and provides equivalent clamping pressure to the stock clutch. When RPM drops below 1050, the balls fall back down the ramps and an internal spring pushes the pressure plate out, disengaging the clutch.
Q. Do I need to adjust the ProStart? A. No, the ProStart is designed to engage at approximately 1100 RPM on all Harley-Davidsons and disengage at approximately 1050 RPM so no adjustment is necessary.
Q. How long will the ProStart last? A. The ProStart wears the friction plates in the same way that the stock clutch does. As long as the ProStart installed gap is maintained, the clutch pack will last as long as or longer than normal. The actual ProStart clutch assembly is made out of hard-anodized billet aluminum and heat-treated steel and should not have significant wear.
Q. What kind of maintenance does the ProStart Clutch require? A. The ProStart operates based on the installed gap which is the distance the balls have to move to fully engage the ProStart pressure plate. The installed gap needs to be set at installation. It should then be checked after the first 1000 miles of ProStart operation and every 5000 miles thereafter.
Q. How do I install a ProStart Clutch? A. The ProStart Clutch is designed to replace the stock pressure plate on the motorcycle. The main parts of the installation include mounting the ProStart to the center clutch and adjusting the clutch cable for proper operation.
Q. Do I have to modify my bike to use a ProStart? A. The ProStart is designed to simply replace the stock pressure plate on the motorcycle. In order to make enough room for the ProStart on '98 and newer Big Twin models, it is necessary to machine down the center clutch using a special tool that is provided by Rekluse. Note: spacers are available so you can always put the stock pressure plate assembly back in the motorcycle. Other ProStart models (older Big Twins and Sportsters) require no modification to the bike.
Q. How long does it take to install a ProStart Clutch? A. Installation time varies based on the accessories on the bike. Actual installation of the clutch itself will take between one and two hours.
Q. Does installing the ProStart Clutch affect my Harley-Davidson warranty? A. The ProStart only wears the clutch pack of the motorcycle. Harley-Davidson does not warranty the clutch pack. Rekluse warranties all Rekluse parts for any defects for a period of one year from the date of original purchase.
Q. What bike models are supported by the ProStart Clutch? A. Rekluse currently has ProStart models that support the following models:
'90-'97 Big Twin models
'98 and newer Big Twin models
'94-'03 Sportsters (Note '91-'93 Sportsters can be supported if an aftermarket side cover and derby cover are purchased)
'04-'07 Sportsters
Hydraulic Clutch models - call for more information
Q. Does the ProStart support a Buell? A. The ProStart Clutch for '94-'03 Sportsters will support non XB models of '94-'02 Buells. Buell XB models are not supported.
Q. Does the ProStart support the V-ROD? A. The ProStart does not support the V-ROD. At this time there is no plan to provide support for the V-ROD.
Q. My Big Twin has a hydraulic clutch lever will the ProStart work? A. The ProStart will work fine with aftermarket hydraulic clutch kits such as the Magura kit. However, a special model of the ProStart is needed for '98 and newer Big Twins that have a Harley-Davidson hydraulic clutch (factory or dealer installed). Please call for more information on Harley-Davidson hydraulic models.
Q. My bike has EFI, will the ProStart work? A. The ProStart is tuned at the factory to engage and disengage at approximately 1000 RPM. An EFI model idles roughly 50 to 100 RPM faster than a non-EFI bike. However, this is still in the engagement range for the ProStart clutch so it works fine with EFI models.
Q. Does the ProStart work with open primaries like BDL or Primo? A. No, the ProStart only works with a wet Harley-Davidson primary.
Q. My bike doesn’t have a Harley motor but it has a Harley primary, will the ProStart work? A. Yes, any motor is fine as long as it is using a Harley-Davidson primary.
Q. How much horsepower will a ProStart handle? A. The ProStart performance is dependent on torque rather than horsepower. Torque is roughly equal to horsepower. The ProStart is available in two models. A ProStart model is available for '98-'07 Big Twins with stock or slightly higher torque (up to 90 ft-lbs of torque). For customers with modified engines or trike applications, the ProStart-HP model is available (up to 130 ft-lbs of torque).
Q. How many ProStart clutches has Rekluse sold? A. Rekluse has already sold over 380 ProStart clutches. The ProStart Clutch is based on the same design used by Rekluse’s industry-leading z-Start Clutch for off-road motorcycles and ATVs. Since starting business in 2002, Rekluse has sold over 12,000 z-Start clutches to motorcycle enthusiasts all over the world.
