Perch Adjuster, z-Wonderful!

Following the installation of a Rekluse z-Start Clutch (auto clutch), there's a certain amount of testing and adjusting necessary. Without the optional Perch Adjuster, the adjustments have to be done with wrenches in a most inconvenient location (down under the carburetor) on a hot (possibly running) engine. This means the rider has to get off the bike, take up the wrenches, make an adjustment, get back on the bike, and test the results of each adjustment. Making these fine-tuning adjustments could easily be considered so difficult, so time consuming, and so uncomfortable by some mechanics, that fewer adjustments would be made, resulting in less accuracy and less satisfaction with the performance of the auto clutch. And that would be a real shame.

With the optional Perch Adjuster, however, the adjustments can be made by the rider sitting on the motorcycle, with no tools, and immediate testing can be accomplished within seconds. In fact, I think the final-step fine tuning adjustments would take around 20 times as long without the Perch Adjuster, and that the adjustments would likely be less accurate. Furthermore, with the Perch Adjuster in place, the rider is far more likely to make adjustments on the trail during breaks or rest stops, than he would if he had to get off the bike, dig out his wrenches, and lean into the hot engine area to make such adjustments. This means improved results from the auto clutch, with greater overall satisfaction to the rider.

There are basically two adjustments that can be made to the auto clutch. First is the engine RPM at which the clutch begins to engage, and secondly is how quickly that engagement occurs... gradually or suddenly. Both adjustments can be made without the Perch Adjuster, but the Perch Adjuster makes these adjustments so much quicker and easier.

But wait... there's more! The Perch Adjuster also allows the rider to disengage the clutch at any time, something he cannot do without this option. There are times when this could be considered a safety advantage as well as one of great convenience.

Finally, in the case of the Honda CRF250X with which this review was accomplished, the stock Honda clutch lever assembly includes a starter circuit switch that requires the lever to be squeezed before the electric starter will engage. Without the Perch Adjuster, the installing mechanic will have to invent a way to eliminate this switch if he intends to remove the stock clutch lever, perch, and cable. Otherwise, if left in place, the stock clutch lever becomes nothing more than the secondary starter switch lever.

Conclusion: It is this reviewer's opinion that the optional Perch Adjuster is a "must have" addition to the Rekluse z-Start Auto Clutch. It practically guarantees safer and more satisfactory results from the auto clutch itself. I realize that this adds $99 more to an already expensive auto clutch, but I sincerely believe it will be money well spent! (Sadly, since the Perch Adjuster works on the clutch cable, it is not available for bikes with hydraulic clutches.)

Installation Tip: Step 1 of the Perch Adjuster instructions calls for disconnecting the clutch cable from the clutch lever and perch. Then you're told to manually slide the cable in and out of the cable casing, to ensure that it moves freely. This often results in the clutch cable becoming disconnected from the actuator arm on the engine (under the carburetor). Although this allows extra slack in the cable, actually making it easier to install the Perch Adjuster components, make certain that the clutch cable is connected to the actuator arm before you begin Step 14, and before you begin making clutch cable slack adjustments.

Review by: Gordon L. Banks, October 2004
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