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Author Topic: hydraulic clutch lever...help  (Read 3065 times)

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Notaharley

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hydraulic clutch lever...help
« on: April 04, 2013, 02:28:58 PM »

I see others have had the need for different shaped clutch levers for whatever reason (small hands, medical issue, weak or lazy) Has anyone had success with finding levers for late model hydraulic clutch bikes? (FLHXSE 2011) I called JP Cycles....nothing. HD Dealer ... nothing. What about bending the OEM ones a little has anyone tried that? I have access to a metal shop but am reluctant to heat and bend without a replacement or heard of someone with success. I still want complete disengagement but feel that there is a little room for a straighter lever.
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BDMastiff

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Re: hydraulic clutch lever...help
« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2013, 04:26:03 PM »

I've been looking for levers too.  I haven't found anything.
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DJA

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Re: hydraulic clutch lever...help
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2013, 04:48:37 PM »

If there are no levers available, buy a replacement from the dealer and have a metal shop heat and bend as required
or see if they can use it as a template to make one like you design. Then have it chromed or polished. I would talk to
a welding shop or metal shop and see what they would say. Most shops like a side job and some will, well, let's say
won't be so nice. I have had parts made for my race car. Some of these shops have a CNC machine and can make it
out of block aluminum but that stuff gets expensive. Just some thoughts.
DJ
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Notaharley

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Re: hydraulic clutch lever...help
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2013, 05:07:50 PM »

Thanks DJ, I work in a metal fab shop so that isnt the trouble. I could heat and bend but I would want to have a spare in case in breaks. Having one made of billet aluminum would be very expensive. Maybe as this is a common problem I should make them and sell them to JP Cycles   ;D  I was going to talk to my dealer and see if I can pick up a used or damaged one to experiment on. Cant have my baby out of commission.
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JonMac

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Re: hydraulic clutch lever...help
« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2013, 05:10:46 PM »

I was actually thinking the same thing about an altered clutch lever.  If there was one available, I'd get it!
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longlast

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Re: hydraulic clutch lever...help
« Reply #5 on: April 04, 2013, 05:34:59 PM »

you can straighten it out "BUT" being aluminum it is tricky. You say ya got access to a metal shop, so if your going to give it a go,...then put the lever between two bits of flat bar in a vice, tighten the vice to secure the lever, then add a slit bit more pressure, using a oxy torch heat it up, this is the TRICKY part as it heats up add more pressure  "BUT" if you have NOT heated it enough OR you add to much pressure to quickly IT WILL BRAKE, also IF you over heat it IT WILL MELT, and do not get to close with the tip of the torch it will melt straight away. At the end of the day it can be done. Good luck
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LovemyCVOgirl

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Re: hydraulic clutch lever...help
« Reply #6 on: April 04, 2013, 06:11:34 PM »

JCZ is a forum member and I remember him posting about putting different levers on his wife's SG that brought the lever closer to the grip.   :nixweiss:  try contacting him.
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rayson56

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Re: hydraulic clutch lever...help
« Reply #7 on: April 04, 2013, 06:20:43 PM »

I seem to remember my friend getting some for his wife's bike. Try Kuryakyn.
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Re: hydraulic clutch lever...help
« Reply #8 on: April 04, 2013, 07:32:02 PM »


There are all kinds of different shape levers available for a standard Harley, including adjustable ones.  However, there are none available for CVO hydraulic clutch bikes, and that's for a very good reason.  A lever made to reduce the reach from the bar would cause the clutch to drag and not release completely.  There is no manual adjustment available to "cheat" like there is on a cable clutch.

If you check with the folks mentioned in this thread that changed levers, you will find those were standard bikes, not CVO's with hydraulic clutches.

Notaharley, why are you looking to change the lever, reduced reach/effort?  The lever isn't going to change the effort even if you bend it, only the reach.  If you want to reduce effort there are other ways to do that with aftermarket parts (pressure plate mods). 

Jerry
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Notaharley

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Re: hydraulic clutch lever...help
« Reply #9 on: April 04, 2013, 08:00:05 PM »

Thanks Jerry, good points all. I don't want to compromise on the clutch release. I do think I could get away with a little less reach. The pull is nice and easy no issue. These HD lever designs with the big "V" ( I think they are the same design for both cable and hydraulic) only allow me to get 2 fingers on the lever and the initial pull gets a little harder after a long day. Since I am so spoiled already, I just wanted to make it that much better with a different design. I seem to get full release about half way to the bar, I would like to get one more of my short fat fingers on the lever !!
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LovemyCVOgirl

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Re: hydraulic clutch lever...help
« Reply #10 on: April 04, 2013, 09:02:17 PM »

There are all kinds of different shape levers available for a standard Harley, including adjustable ones.  However, there are none available for CVO hydraulic clutch bikes, and that's for a very good reason.  A lever made to reduce the reach from the bar would cause the clutch to drag and not release completely.  There is no manual adjustment available to "cheat" like there is on a cable clutch.

If you check with the folks mentioned in this thread that changed levers, you will find those were standard bikes, not CVO's with hydraulic clutches.

Notaharley, why are you looking to change the lever, reduced reach/effort?  The lever isn't going to change the effort even if you bend it, only the reach.  If you want to reduce effort there are other ways to do that with aftermarket parts (pressure plate mods). 

Jerry


You are correct Jerry.., JC's wife Terrie didn't have a CVO, she had a standard SG.  I forgot about that detail.   :2vrolijk_21:
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