Hi Everyone,
EZM & EZM authorized dealers have tested the Q-Matic on a variety of 4-stroke motors including the Harbor Freight 79 CC power plant. Over the last 2 years we took the time to design & test the Q-Matic to fit not only the hi revving Honda GHX50 & HS 142 motors, but also the bigger displacement lower revving motors. In order to make the drive fit more motors it was necessary to engineer several features in the Q-Matic that other companies failed to consider.
The Q-Matic uses the “live axle” system to buffer the vibration of the automatic clutch, and remove the excessive weight from the crankshaft. Everyone knows [maybe not] that the centrifugal clutch, by fact of design of moving weights & springs can vibrate. When the clutch is mounted on the motor crankshaft it adds additional “flywheel” effect. The Q-Matic has the clutch suspended between 2 LARGE bearings on a 5/8” shaft to reduce vibration, slim the drive to approx. 2” from the motor, and buffer the vibrations and “flywheel” effect via a V-belt. Another important consideration was motor performance, and our goal was to avoid reducing the already limited available HP. When extra weight is added to the crankshaft the motor revs slower, and when weight is taken from the crankshaft the motor revs quicker.
The Q-Matic totally disengages the rear chain when idling, and only the clutch bell rotates [on a oil impregnated bushing]. When the motor is above idle the system offers “motor braking” to aid the stopping process and saves wear & tear on the brakes over time. Just remember only the small bell turns with the wheel, not the entire set of pulleys, belt, shaft, bearings, etc, allowing, “free wheeling” at idle.
Because the Max Torque clutch requires occasional lubrication [a few drops of oil], we made easy access to the lubrication point.
Another design advantage of the Q-Matic is located in the idler system. Everyone knows [maybe not everyone] that belt stretch requires idler adjustments to compensate. The Q-Matic uses a spring tension system that automatically adjusts for belt stretch. The idler assembly is also mounted on 2 high-speed bearings to reduce belt wear and drag.
Because of the variety of 4 stroke motors, we designed the Q-Matic to be ratio adjustable at 4 locations instead of only the chain sprockets. The Q-Matic can be ratio tuned to work with motors that idle at 800 RPMs, as well as motors that idle at 2200RPMs.
The first ratio can be altered at the motor with optional EZM pulleys and can change the clutch stall speed and the ratio of the primary drive [from 3.5 X 1 to 2.3 X 1]. The primary changes [easy to do, and normally cost under $20] are easily executed, clean, and quick, whereas rear chain sprockets often require the major task of rear wheel removal. Of course changing the rear chain ratios adds even more possibilities to the Q-Matic drive.
During the original testing we discovered the need to enclose the drive system for safety reasons [it was possible to stop the motorbike when inserting the left pant leg into the drive system]. The “pant leg” test lead to a cover that was light weight, oil & gas resistant, and more importantly entirely covered the moving primary parts. The durable cover will soon be mass-produced and may improve in appearance during the process [rumor has it will contain our logo].
Although a lot of time, money, and thousands of hours of testing were invested in the Q-Matic, one important issue still needs “honorable mention”, weight. After serious consideration concerning cost, we elected to use “high tech” aluminum alloys in the construction process to reduce weight.
Enjoy the pictures of the Q-Matic..
Have fun,
