How do you know when you're not using the clutch?

[Bodhi]

I have to admit I don't understand the mechanics, but I have this psychological thing that makes me feel I should pull in the clutch a little when upshifting for some reason - certainly not as much as when I first started riding - but I do have a mental aversion to clutchless shifts. I learned early on that the gear changes were much smoother and quicker with just a litttle clutch work (as opposed to fully disengaging). I still sometimes have to remind myself to ease the clutch back out to avoid jerky shifts. Especially in hairy commuting traffic.

[SWriverstone]

Thanks for the description Kootenanny. There's another excellent description here, the Patman's Rekluse Clutch review on KLRWorld.com:
http://www.klrworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=116&Itemid=156

(Scroll about halfway down the article for a section on how clutches work.)

The Rekluse clutch is pretty amazing; the way it works is via steel ball bearings that sit in grooves that are deep toward the center of the disk and shallower toward the edge.

As the plates spin up, the ball bearings roll out/up (into the shallower part of the grooves) from centripetal force, forcing the plates together. Pretty ingenious!   I'm still thinking of getting one of these. As the Patman says, the Rekluse controls the clutch better than any human ever could.  

Scott

[thatguy]

 

Oh well I guess people that can't ride gotta have fun too.

[chornbe]

Wait... you're supposed to use the clutch once you're moving...?

 

[RedCBRRider]

 

[stasch]

You can check real quick if you're actually disengaging the clutch or not.

While cruising at a steady speed, pull your clutch lever the same small amount that you have been for your normal shifting.  

Whether or not the engine increases rpm suddenly, will give you the answer.