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[kmh364]

Anybody out there having an issue with the release point/friction zone on their SE Ultra's hydraulic clutch?

For the first 400-500 miles, the clutch behaved normally. That is to say, the clutch release point (i.e, beginning of the friction zone) was around the middle of the lever travel, and the friction zone was sufficiently wide enough to allow for normal clutch control. Since then, the clutch began releasing with the lever nearly ALL the way out, and the friction zone reduced itself to a hair's width.

Needless to say, it's made "Riding Like A Pro" (took the course in New Port Richey, Fla with "Motorman" Palladino, who praised my riding) extremely difficult on a 1000# behemoth with the the bars turned all the way! It's also made smooth launches and shifting very difficult. I find myself either slipping the H*ll out of the clutch or stalling the thing on starts (especially when it's running on cylinder deactivation...the initial RBW throttle "burp" combined with the hair-trigger clutch usually being the culprit), and lurching the bike during up-shifts.

Been to the dealer thrice, service case number from H-D Customer Care, and the problem still persists. All they've done is bleed the clutch and supposedly inspected the clutch parts behind the Derby Cover. H-D and the Dealer says "it's normal...they all do that". Since the Dealer claims the non-adjustable clutch (neither lever position/travel or clutch diaphragm spring pushrod length) is "within published H-D specifications". that there's nothing they can do. H-D Customer Care echo's that as long as the dealer doesn't find an obvious defect (i.e., out-of-spec part), then my case is closed. I am free to "'get a second opinion" from another authorized H-D Dealer, but as long as it's "within specs", there's nothing they can do.

Personally, I don't find this to be an acceptable answer on a $40k-plus motorcycle! I feel it's an unsafe condition and unacceptable on any bike, nevermind one that costs more than my car!

Can anyone help and/or offer any advice?

As an aside, I am a highly-experienced and thoroughly-accomplished motorcyclist: I've been riding for nearly 30-years, have been a professional MSF Rider-Coach for the past 9 seasons (specializing in the ERC and the new ARC-Sportbike Course) have ridden 100k's of miles (mostly on Harley's), this is my Third H-D "Touring" model, and I also own two hydraulic clutch-equipped Ducati's (Hypermotard HM1100S and Multistrada MTS1200ST), amongst many other bikes: Euro, American and Asian.

[05Train]

Change the primary fluid to Formula + and make sure the level's correct.

Mine was behaving like yours, and no amount of bleeding the line made a difference.  Get the Syn3 crap out of there, put in the right amount of F+, and I bet your problem's solved.

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

Your 13 bike has the slipper clutch as does the 14 year also. I will sell you a few of them we have in boxes..  Normal riding ( HD = not really ride it at all)  they are made to slip that is the whole idea of the set up. Its not that its a hyd clutch it is that the stack is out of spec . Looking at a plate vs checking it are not the same. I have a brand new one here that was slipping with maybe 2300 miles on it.. Dealer told him the same thing. BTW clutch  plates not a  warranty item ,.. that is in print as well.

Swap it out for a stock clutch kit or install  a scorpion and be done.

[kmh364]

Dealer claims the clutch is within "specs". They even went so far as to give me some BS tolerance limit they supposedly measured that means absolutely nothing to me. I have no idea what the H*ll they ck'd, or even if they bothered to ck anything at all.

I asked H-D if crashing, dropping or dying on my bike, or resorting to selling it, would get them to fix it. I was adamant that regardless of whether the thing was "within specs" or not, that the bike most certainly is not normal nor was it acceptable or even safe to ride, for that matter. She just kept repeating the "as long as A H-D Dealer says it's within specs, then it's normal and there's nothing we can do" mantra.

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

Many times they will check for amount of travel however that is not the stack up of the clutch ANd that is a new item for them it is not a proven part by any means it is only in the CVO bikes. Thus far most think it feels odd it tends to lurch. I posted up a slip graph of it back some time ago I think it locked up at 4500 RPM or so ..

[grc]

Many times they will check for amount of travel however that is not the stack up of the clutch ANd that is a new item for them it is not a proven part by any means it is only in the CVO bikes. Thus far most think it feels odd it tends to lurch. I posted up a slip graph of it back some time ago I think it locked up at 4500 RPM or so ..

The strange thing is that the clutch is only supposed to slip when the rear wheel is driving the clutch, and not on acceleration.  On acceleration the ramps are supposed to add clamping force to the clutch pack.  It appears that once more Harley has taken a proven technology from elsewhere and screwed it up.  IMHO it's pretty sad when they can't even borrow technology from others and make it work.  Lord only knows what would happen if they tried to invent something from scratch.  Personally, I have theorized that they went too far in trying to reduce lever effort by using a too light clutch spring.  I don't have the ability to test my hypothesis however, since I've refused to buy another POS from Harley for the past seven years.  I can't help but wonder if a higher rate spring would improve this situation.

kmh364, you need to find a way to speak to someone several levels up the food chain from that ditz you've been talking to at Customer Disservice.  The people they have answering the phones are similar to the ones you find in most call centers these days; zero knowledge and only able to punch in the key words from your complaint to a computer program which then tells them what to tell you.  I don't know how seriously you plan to pursue this, but based on past history I'd guess you may either have to consult an attorney or just fix the problem yourself.  Harley has depended on it's customers taking that last approach for a long time now, and unfortunately most of us have obliged them in the name of expediency and out of frustration.  Only when the vast majority refuse to keep accepting this will things change.  I don't expect to see anything change anytime soon btw.

Jerry

[DISTURBEDCUSTOM]

I WOULD LIKE TO TRY THE  Formula +WHO MAKES IT

[brosen101]

Have had my '13 SEU8 since May and have not had this issue, luckily.  The clutch is certainly "softer" but nothing like what you're describing.  Hopefully you have a different dealer close by that can actually help you fix it.  Sure doesn't sound like a hydraulic issue, and what exactly would they have "inspected?"   Maybe try getting the Syn 3 out first to see if that works. If not, probably worth a few hundred bucks to have a different dealer take out the clutch plate and replace it.  Not ideal to be spending money on something that should work correctly to begin with, but might be a good investment for safety and peace of mind.



  

[SBB]

I WOULD LIKE TO TRY THE  Formula +WHO MAKES IT

Buy it at your local Harley shop, good stuff!

SBB

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

here is a dyno graph showing slippage I have made a few notes Now I could feel this on the drum it was jerking .. best I can say . But you can see where the clutch did lock up up HA HA

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

Its not a fluid thing , waste of time to play that game. Think back to the older clutch pre 07  you could run what ever you wanted int he primary never a issue, same pack in the new style until this new better than the old version deal. It is a issue I just got a call from the dealer they are bringing one buy to tune I asked how the clutch was ( its a 2014) they told me its weird feels like it grabs and then slips but Tech told them it was ok and that was normal . SAFE for the drive train 

[LC110]

I WOULD LIKE TO TRY THE  Formula +WHO MAKES IT

It is made by CITGO and is a straight 50 weight oil. It is bottled for Harley as Harley Davidson Formula +

[aveagle2]

There is a recall on 2014 hydraulic clutches - issues with master cylinder.  Maybe the same issue on some of the later 2013 models?

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

No the recall is on the new style master it is not the same deal.. That recall is pretty cool. Pull the clutch in and hold it at a light and the bike start to move , harder and harder you hold on and you can stall it or shut it down or let it hit the car in front of you. The master will bleed down internal and it is a slow steady release

[Midnight Rider]

The strange thing is that the clutch is only supposed to slip when the rear wheel is driving the clutch, and not on acceleration. 
Jerry

Nail on the head, as usual, Jerry.  Slipper clutches have been around for a while now, and if I'm not mistaken, was even on my '06 SEVROD.  The actual purpose is to avoid the sudden "jerk" or rear wheel momentary lockup when downshifting aggressively.  They are not supposed to slip when accelerating.  Sounds like HD has let the customer be the beta tester for yet another "improvement".