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[FullBagger]

Update:

Fluid level was good.
I found a local HD service department that agreed with me. It is not working as it should.
Both the service manager and a senior tech tested the bike.

The Motor Company agreed to allow work to be done to fix the problem.
First step will be a rebuild of the master cylinder.

I will keep this post updated as work is done for reference if someone else has the same problem.

Thanks for everyone's input!

[RonandJanet]

Allright!  Making progress!

[FullBagger]

Well,
Rebuilt the master cylinder.
No improvement.
Just going to step through the system piece by piece.
I will keep this updated.

[Eqcons]

Does anyone else have a clutch that does not engage until the clutch lever is nearly 90% released.
The different "engage" position is not necessarily a problem. The problem is that I have to feather the clutch because that last little bit is very touchy. Once it begins to engage, if I release it even a hair more, it grabs and yanks the bike forward. Not horrible if I'm on top of it but a lot more than it would if the engage point was dead center the arch.
I know, I know, they are all different. But ...... it's not my first bike. This is also my second H-D with a hydraulic clutch. Last one was a 2014 Ultra Limited.

Example: Slow right hand turn. Release the clutch a hair more and then it yanks me into oncoming traffic or ....... even better, pull in the clutch lever to stay in my lane and lay her over.
Before anyone says it .... use the rear brake ...... right? 
Straight ahead take offs  ..... who cares? Just a little jerky.

I've been told that there are no adjustments to this clutch. If that is the case, how could it be so different than any other HD with a hydraulic clutch I've ridden? (6 now not including testing new ones on the showroom floors at dealerships. All hydraulic.). I even rented twice on vacation. One 14 and one 15. I am even more careful when testing the clutch position on other bikes I ride because mine is so far out of center. Never had to give it much thought before.

Ok, that's my story. I'm reaching out to see if I have a one of a kind or what.

No, you're not one of a kind.  Mine (2014 FLHTKSE) is just the same, and I was thinking it was me!  U-turns are particularly difficult, because the clutch only engages when the lever is nearly all the way out, and it's binary - fully engaged or fully disengaged. A suicide clutch! This is my fourth hydraulic clutch Glide, and the only one that's been like this.  It's a nightmare, and is driving me crazy.

[FullBagger]

Eqcons,

Very, very, very, (did I say VERY) sorry to hear you have the same problem. I thought it was just me too. Kept saying, "I'll get used to it". 7500 miles later, still not used to it and I dread U turns. I don't believe I just posted that!
It is a nightmare! It is impossible to explain to someone unless they ride it for a day or so.
Hey, here is the good news. Not great news but good.
I found a dealership that agreed with me that it was not right.
So far, they have rebuilt the master cylinder - No help.
Checked the movement of the slave cylinder - all good.
Verified there is nothing wrong with the clutch pack - all good.
They are now replacing the master cylinder to see if that fixes the problem.
This is my second hydraulic glide, not to mention the rentals and test rides, and this one is DANGEROUS!
Dumped it once. Should have hit the rear break when the clutch grabbed but I pulled it in a hair. Just enough loose all drive and over I went! Now I am just wearing out the rear break. I ride the heck out of it in tight, slow turns.
I knew it was going to happen though so I moved my highway pegs up a little because I noticed that if it went over, the pegs could twist and dig into my lower fairings causing expensive damage. Good thing I did!
If your pegs are low on the engine guard, you may want to move them up some .... or a lot.

I will keep this updated with the results.

[Eqcons]

Eqcons,

Very, very, very, (did I say VERY) sorry to hear you have the same problem. I thought it was just me too. Kept saying, "I'll get used to it". 7500 miles later, still not used to it and I dread U turns. I don't believe I just posted that!
It is a nightmare! It is impossible to explain to someone unless they ride it for a day or so.
Hey, here is the good news. Not great news but good.
I found a dealership that agreed with me that it was not right.
So far, they have rebuilt the master cylinder - No help.
Checked the movement of the slave cylinder - all good.
Verified there is nothing wrong with the clutch pack - all good.
They are now replacing the master cylinder to see if that fixes the problem.
This is my second hydraulic glide, not to mention the rentals and test rides, and this one is DANGEROUS!
Dumped it once. Should have hit the rear break when the clutch grabbed but I pulled it in a hair. Just enough loose all drive and over I went! Now I am just wearing out the rear break. I ride the heck out of it in tight, slow turns.
I knew it was going to happen though so I moved my highway pegs up a little because I noticed that if it went over, the pegs could twist and dig into my lower fairings causing expensive damage. Good thing I did!
If your pegs are low on the engine guard, you may want to move them up some .... or a lot.

I will keep this updated with the results.

Yes, I'm 8000 miles in and I thought I'd get used to it too.  As well as U-turns, pulling out from a junction to turn either left or right is awful, and I'm having to do the same as you with the rear brake.  You either pull away like a scalded cat, or fall over. I also dumped mine in exactly the way you describe - it's impossible to slip the clutch properly. 

On the highway peg thing - yes, been there done that.  To save the edge of the legshield getting road rash, I buy the rubber batwing edging from the pre-Rushed More bikes, cut it in half (it's exactly the right length) and use contact adhesive to run it along the edge of your legshield. It looks neat too - you can see it in the pic I'm uploading.

Hope you find a solution - I'm all ears!

[15CVOSG]

Until MoCo re-designs the Hydraulic clutch... there will be no solutions ... it is what it is ....

[FullBagger]

Until MoCo re-designs the Hydraulic clutch... there will be no solutions ... it is what it is ....

I do not say this lightly or out of spite.
If that is the case. Then I am done with HD. Mine will be for sale.
I don't give a rats a$$ what I ride. No offense to the die hard HD folks but as long as it is comfortable riding 2 up, safe and reliable, I'm happy.
This is my 4th new HD and because of previous experiences like this, I was a hair away from pulling the trigger on an Indian before buying this one. My wife made the final decision. The primary reason was the HD dealer network. Otherwise, I may have jumped ship.

With all that being said, I have to admit that the current dealer I am working with is doing all they can to fix the problem and I cannot ask more than that from anyone or any company.

[Eqcons]

I do not say this lightly or out of spite.
If that is the case. Then I am done with HD. Mine will be for sale.
I don't give a rats a$$ what I ride. No offense to the die hard HD folks but as long as it is comfortable riding 2 up, safe and reliable, I'm happy.
This is my 4th new HD and because of previous experiences like this, I was a hair away from pulling the trigger on an Indian before buying this one. My wife made the final decision. The primary reason was the HD dealer network. Otherwise, I may have jumped ship.

With all that being said, I have to admit that the current dealer I am working with is doing all they can to fix the problem and I cannot ask more than that from anyone or any company.

Still no progress then?  Have they replaced the master cylinder yet?

[FullBagger]

The new one has arrived at the dealership. Scheduling the replacement for sometime this week .... I hope!

[Eqcons]

The new one has arrived at the dealership. Scheduling the replacement for sometime this week .... I hope!

Let me know if that fixes it!

[FullBagger]

Eqcons,

My bike is scheduled in on Saturday!
I will post as soon as possible after the installation.
I hope this is the cure!

[MGCVO]

I have the same problem with my 2014 FLHTKSE and my HD dealer says its within spec (just enough free play).
The funny thing is the clutch was good right after the dealer did the recall last year, I put about 5K on it since then and now it is junk! The mechanic also told me every hydraulic clutch grabs in a different spot and he has no clue why!
I was also speaking to the sales manager and he told me he sold 8 brand new touring bikes in the past two weeks but they can’t let them leave the building until they fix the clutch issue that HD won’t give them the recall part.. he then said two of those 8 customers walked away from the deal. I think HD has a problem that they are hiding.

[Keats]

Wow, to expect an HD tech to understand a hydraulic clutch system and tell me why the ones on the showroom engage in a different place than mine? Not just a little different either, a freeking he11 of a lot.

How can you tell the engagement points on a hydraulic clutch bike that is not running.

[Eqcons]

How can you tell the engagement points on a hydraulic clutch bike that is not running.

Sit on the bike, put it in first, walk it forward, letting the clutch out until it grabs.