Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

Author Topic: Cable to Hydraulic Clutch Conversion  (Read 1333 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

ltank

  • 1K CVO Member
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1214
    • LA

    • CVO1: 2000 FXR4 S&S V111, CustomS.S. 2-1 exhaust, Primo-Rivera OD 6 speed, 49mm Custom Front End Ohlins 30mm Fork cartridges , Hyperpro Shocks, Barnett Scorpian Clutch
    • CVO2: 1983 88" Shovelhead Won the World of Wheels 1985 Sept 85 Issue of Hot Bike Mag
    • CVO3: 1989 FXRS, 1990 Custom 100" Shovelhead/ EVO
Cable to Hydraulic Clutch Conversion
« on: July 13, 2020, 08:36:56 PM »

Has anyone converted from a cable to a Hydraulic Clutch? Some say there's little to no difference in Clutch lever pull. Others say it really made a difference and it's easy to pull. I have read so much on it, fried my brain and don't know what to believe.
Any input us appreciated. I just hope I didn't waste a lot of money again.
Thanks

I opted for the Baker lever and Harley Hydraulic Master Cylinder with 11/16" bore. Should I use a Master cylinder from a V-Rod or a Touring Harley?
Any help on the conversion
Logged

longlast

  • 2.5K CVO Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4063

Re: Cable to Hydraulic Clutch Conversion
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2020, 02:51:31 AM »

About the issue of it making no difference would be inaccurate.  With hydraulic you're exerting more pressure on the outward end then the pressure being placed on the inward end. Think of it like a hydraulic floor jack the effort it takes to lift a car,...now think of a jack with cables the arm of the jack would have to be 3/4 times longer to have the leverage to lift the car.
So the hydraulic will take less effort to compress the clutch springs and hold them compressed. As a cabe you are fiscally hold back the pressure of the clutch springs.
Logged

ltank

  • 1K CVO Member
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1214
    • LA

    • CVO1: 2000 FXR4 S&S V111, CustomS.S. 2-1 exhaust, Primo-Rivera OD 6 speed, 49mm Custom Front End Ohlins 30mm Fork cartridges , Hyperpro Shocks, Barnett Scorpian Clutch
    • CVO2: 1983 88" Shovelhead Won the World of Wheels 1985 Sept 85 Issue of Hot Bike Mag
    • CVO3: 1989 FXRS, 1990 Custom 100" Shovelhead/ EVO
Re: Cable to Hydraulic Clutch Conversion
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2020, 03:32:04 PM »

Ok thanks, I failed to look at it that way. So much
Online.  I guess most if the negative reports are about where the clutch doesn't release until the lever is almost all the way out, not a gradual release of cable clutches. The adjustable levers are expensive but if they actually work as advertised may not be too bad. Thanks again.
Logged

Ironhorse

  • Vendor
  • 2.5K CVO Member
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4338
    • CA


    • CVO1: 2006 SE Ultra
    • CVO2: 2018 GoldWing DCT Airbag
Re: Cable to Hydraulic Clutch Conversion
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2020, 03:39:57 PM »

I converted my '01 from cable to hydraulic clutch. It wasn't difficult, but I do miss the adjustment. I didn't know Baker made an adjustable lever.
Logged
"But men are men, the best sometimes forget" Shakespeare, Othello Act 2, Scene 3

ltank

  • 1K CVO Member
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1214
    • LA

    • CVO1: 2000 FXR4 S&S V111, CustomS.S. 2-1 exhaust, Primo-Rivera OD 6 speed, 49mm Custom Front End Ohlins 30mm Fork cartridges , Hyperpro Shocks, Barnett Scorpian Clutch
    • CVO2: 1983 88" Shovelhead Won the World of Wheels 1985 Sept 85 Issue of Hot Bike Mag
    • CVO3: 1989 FXRS, 1990 Custom 100" Shovelhead/ EVO
Re: Cable to Hydraulic Clutch Conversion
« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2020, 03:47:33 PM »

Baker makes the cover. Several other companies make adjustable levers. I will wait and see how I like it.
Logged

J.D.

  • Guest
Re: Cable to Hydraulic Clutch Conversion
« Reply #5 on: July 15, 2020, 04:22:20 PM »

On my '02 I upgraded the clutch release "ramps" to the later revision and it gave the clutch lever a much better feel.  You can also install a lighter diaphragm spring to make the pull easier yet, at the possible expense of clutch slippage under higher power.

I didn't do a cable to hydraulic conversion yet, though.
Logged

ltank

  • 1K CVO Member
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1214
    • LA

    • CVO1: 2000 FXR4 S&S V111, CustomS.S. 2-1 exhaust, Primo-Rivera OD 6 speed, 49mm Custom Front End Ohlins 30mm Fork cartridges , Hyperpro Shocks, Barnett Scorpian Clutch
    • CVO2: 1983 88" Shovelhead Won the World of Wheels 1985 Sept 85 Issue of Hot Bike Mag
    • CVO3: 1989 FXRS, 1990 Custom 100" Shovelhead/ EVO
Re: Cable to Hydraulic Clutch Conversion
« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2020, 07:42:31 PM »

Motor is S&S V124 with RB Racing LSR2-1, Big Bore Super G with Thunderjet Pro. The Baker 9 plate street clutch slipped at rpm above 4k rpm, rated 120 hp. Put the Racing Pressure Plate that supposed to be good for for 60% more torque but it's very hard on hand in traffic or mountain riding twice a year. I burned up one clutch, it was slipping above 4200 rpm.
Logged

ltank

  • 1K CVO Member
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1214
    • LA

    • CVO1: 2000 FXR4 S&S V111, CustomS.S. 2-1 exhaust, Primo-Rivera OD 6 speed, 49mm Custom Front End Ohlins 30mm Fork cartridges , Hyperpro Shocks, Barnett Scorpian Clutch
    • CVO2: 1983 88" Shovelhead Won the World of Wheels 1985 Sept 85 Issue of Hot Bike Mag
    • CVO3: 1989 FXRS, 1990 Custom 100" Shovelhead/ EVO
Re: Cable to Hydraulic Clutch Conversion
« Reply #7 on: July 15, 2020, 07:48:23 PM »

Baker 9 Plate Street Clutch is very Nicely Machined. Wonderful with the weaker Diaphragm Spring
Logged

aclass

  • Elite CVO Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 780

    • CVO1: FLTRSE3
Re: Cable to Hydraulic Clutch Conversion
« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2020, 08:01:28 PM »

When you guys did the cable to hydraulic conversion, did you buy a kit or just piece everything together?
I'm interested in converting my wifes 2012 Road King.
Logged

ltank

  • 1K CVO Member
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1214
    • LA

    • CVO1: 2000 FXR4 S&S V111, CustomS.S. 2-1 exhaust, Primo-Rivera OD 6 speed, 49mm Custom Front End Ohlins 30mm Fork cartridges , Hyperpro Shocks, Barnett Scorpian Clutch
    • CVO2: 1983 88" Shovelhead Won the World of Wheels 1985 Sept 85 Issue of Hot Bike Mag
    • CVO3: 1989 FXRS, 1990 Custom 100" Shovelhead/ EVO
Re: Cable to Hydraulic Clutch Conversion
« Reply #9 on: July 15, 2020, 08:18:53 PM »

I am in the process. I bought the Baker for the 6 speed O.D. and the Harley Clutch Master with 11/16"
Bore as Baker specifies. I had to do some research to
find part number for older style clutch cylinder that match my 98 King Front Brake Master cylinder.
Logged

Ironhorse

  • Vendor
  • 2.5K CVO Member
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4338
    • CA


    • CVO1: 2006 SE Ultra
    • CVO2: 2018 GoldWing DCT Airbag
Re: Cable to Hydraulic Clutch Conversion
« Reply #10 on: July 16, 2020, 10:22:43 AM »

When you guys did the cable to hydraulic conversion, did you buy a kit or just piece everything together?
I'm interested in converting my wifes 2012 Road King.

I pieced it together with parts on eBay. It was all HD stuff and bolted right up.
Logged
"But men are men, the best sometimes forget" Shakespeare, Othello Act 2, Scene 3

ltank

  • 1K CVO Member
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1214
    • LA

    • CVO1: 2000 FXR4 S&S V111, CustomS.S. 2-1 exhaust, Primo-Rivera OD 6 speed, 49mm Custom Front End Ohlins 30mm Fork cartridges , Hyperpro Shocks, Barnett Scorpian Clutch
    • CVO2: 1983 88" Shovelhead Won the World of Wheels 1985 Sept 85 Issue of Hot Bike Mag
    • CVO3: 1989 FXRS, 1990 Custom 100" Shovelhead/ EVO
Re: Cable to Hydraulic Clutch Conversion
« Reply #11 on: July 16, 2020, 01:27:27 PM »

Did it meet your expectations? Was it easier than before? In my case I am wanting an easier clutch pull. I hear they take some getting used too because the tend to start releasing at the end of the clutch lever travel.
Logged

Ironhorse

  • Vendor
  • 2.5K CVO Member
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4338
    • CA


    • CVO1: 2006 SE Ultra
    • CVO2: 2018 GoldWing DCT Airbag
Re: Cable to Hydraulic Clutch Conversion
« Reply #12 on: July 16, 2020, 01:39:02 PM »

Did it meet your expectations? Was it easier than before? In my case I am wanting an easier clutch pull. I hear they take some getting used too because the tend to start releasing at the end of the clutch lever travel.

If ease of pull is what you seek, there are other products out there to address that. What the hydraulic clutch does is give a linear feel that puts the friction zone in the same spot. Unfortunately it's near the end of the release. Unlike a cable which stretches and needs lubing, the hydraulic is mostly maintenance free. However the fluid must be changed per schedule. All in all I thought it was a good upgrade.
Logged
"But men are men, the best sometimes forget" Shakespeare, Othello Act 2, Scene 3
 

Page created in 0.138 seconds with 21 queries.