THE CLUTCH

Unlike steam or electric powerplants, piston internal combustion engines cannot produce torque from zero rpm. That means they must first be started, and only then gradually connected—“clutched”—to the load. Although 98 percent of new U.S. autos have automatic transmissions, for motorcycles the ratio is the other way around: most bikes retain foot gearchange and a clutch operated by the left handlebar lever.

Modern motorcycle engines are of unit construction: powerplant, clutch, and gearbox are in