Opinions on internal clutch kit... read on

[ILoveThumpers]

So I've got this extra lever on my left grip; it's the compression release valve. (Why they couldn't have integrated it into the kick lever I'll never know...) Anyway, I want to clean up my bars as much as possible and I've nearly got myself talked into an internal throttle.

Then I noticed there are also left-side "internal clutch" kits and while I'm not keen on changing my clutch to a twist action, it might be an awesome opportunity to hide the compression release?

So my question is this: does anyone have experience with these internal kits at all? Are they smooth? Do they last? The price seems too good to be true, but the reviews are mostly positive.

-Deek

 

[mlinder]

Is this for a two stroke?
Hi I <3 Thumpers.

 

[ILoveThumpers]

No, my GN400.

I'm in for a 2-stroke adventure one day, though. I love the MB5...

-Deek

 

[mlinder]

I had no idea the GN400 has a compression release.

Never worked on one, though, which is prolly why.

A little surprised it needs one. Not that big, not that high of compression.

In any case, I wouldn't want a hand twist operated one. In a turn, going fast, lean over a bit more, hit that compression release by accident and fall over. No thanks.

 

[ILoveThumpers]

I had no idea the GN400 has a compression release.

Never worked on one, though, which is prolly why.

A little surprised it needs one. Not that big, not that high of compression.

In any case, I wouldn't want a hand twist operated one. In a turn, going fast, lean over a bit more, hit that compression release by accident and fall over. No thanks.

Its total displacement is't all that high, but it's all in one cylinder. Compression is 9.5 stock. (I don't know if that's high for a single or not!)

Most kickstart only bikes have them built into the kick lever as I understand it. Kicking it slowly to tdc then letting it back up releases compression and the next kick turns it over.

In any case, you pointed out the one reservation I had, which was that I would accidentally activate it! Maybe I could modify the grip wit a spring-loaded paw that I push out of the way when I want to use it but locks the grip in place after it returns?

But then I like to complicate the shit out of things for no reason. :

Maybe I'll just find a convenient spot on the frame (pointing in, so its hidden) and be done with it.

-Dek

 

[mlinder]

I'd prolly go with that.

Anyway, a 9.5 CR on a 400 kick-only bike is kinda weird for a compression release thingy, I think.

Typically the compression release for larger singles and twins is to save the battery and starter while starting.

Again, I mean, it's cool and all, and yeah, most are automatic release that have em nowadays.

I just find it odd that Suzi would put one on a kickstart low compression 400.

 

[ILoveThumpers]

I'm guessing it's there because the GN400 motor was put in dirt bikes for years, where compression releases are much more common.

The GN400 Yahoo group has the Cycle World review of the 1980 GN400 and did not have nice things to say, in general. Most of their criticism centered around the fact that Suzuki called it a "beginners" bike or an "entry level" bike but failed to put any features on it that would make it good for a beginner! (Like the compression release, the choke on the carb, the painful seat, lack of a starter, etc.) Though they were happy about carburation and were quick to point out that it was easy starting for a kick-only bike.

-Deek

 

[xb33bsa]

a manual release allows the rider to easilly sneak the motor just past tdc on the compresh stroke
which is the only right way to kick a thumper
the auto ones were thought up by the japanese so a dummy had a chance kick starting a thumper

 

[mydlyfkryzis]

a manual release allows the rider to easilly sneak the motor just past tdc on the compresh stroke
which is the only right way to kick a thumper
the auto ones were thought up by the japanese so a dummy had a chance kick starting a thumper

So did the auto compression release work for for you? ;D