No more hydro clutches for 2021?

[chaos901]

I got hyd clutches on a 2008 and 2010 Ultras and I like them, once I figured out I needed to change the fluid on the regular basis I never had any issues.

[brokenwing]

I got hyd clutches on a 2008 and 2010 Ultras and I like them, once I figured out I needed to change the fluid on the regular basis I never had any issues.

Not the same clutch as the newer Harleys

[hogpipes1]

I looked at new 21 yesterday , Nice easy pull on the bagger cable  clutch. Best thing H-D  did with all the issues they had with the wet one. Never thought the wet one was any improvement, didn't like the engagement point or the lever moving in on it's own as RPM went up threw the gears.   Now get rid of the TBWire and i might be pulling the $$$ out.  Other than the cable and paint 21'S are same as 2020 so says the sales guy.

[drinner-okc]

At my age & mindset I'll most likely never own an M8 or anything newer than my 2012 Road King. But wasn't one issue with Transmission Oil Migration more common with the Hydraulic Clutch bikes?

My passion is in Vintage Harleys,  I tell people the RK is just transportation...

[kd]

I believe it was only the hyd. clutch bikes. 

[FLSTFIDave]

Transmission oil migration was M8 hydraulic clutch bikes.

Do not recall it happening with TC hydraulic clutch bikes. 

[fleetmechanic]

My dealer tech says the cables are two piece and self adjusting.  So when one frays up by the handle the upper half can be replaced in about ten minutes.

[Buglet]

  I think they started with does on the 18 and later ST's and are self adjusters.

[FSG]

  I think they started with does on the 18 and later ST's and are self adjusters.

2018   

[Tollbooth]

 How does the self adjuster work on a cable? Sorry for asking, just can't figure that out.

[kd]

I don't see it as a true "automatic adjust" function.  It's more of a no wrenches needed to adjust the cable free play at the handle mechanism. 

[fleetmechanic]

I later heard that they are not self adjusting.  That didn't sound right.  I'm told now there is an easy access sleeve somewhere in the cable.

[Buglet]

 One thing you can not do a fine adjustment like the old cables.

[kd]

My link "no wrenches needed" above will explain how it works.

[JW113]

If a feller were changing the bars on his bike every other week, yes the two piece cable might prove useful. As far as the easy adjust feature, my personal opinion is that it's solving a non-problem. I mean, how hard is it to adjust the "old school" clutch cable, really? As Buglet said, it appears to be difficult to adjust the lever release point to one's preference. I personally am really picky about where the release point is.

-JW

[ndmp40]

I prefer the cables.  Love the infinite adjustability.

[topcat3815]

Wander how long before Harley comes out with a retro kit to replace hydraulic unit?

[kd]

It'll just be a matter of ordering the late model parts that have the new part numbers and swap them out to the cable system.

[jmorton10]

I don't see it as a true "automatic adjust" function.  It's more of a no wrenches needed to adjust the cable free play at the handle mechanism.

That's kinda cool actually.

I wonder if it is backwards compatible??

~John

[Deye76]

Harley riders want technology, until they don't.  Fobs and auto locking bags OK though, LOL.
Probably every other motorcycle company has successfully used hydraulic actuated clutches for years now. Might as well put kick start only on 'em .

[Coyote]

Harley riders want technology, until they don't.  Fobs and auto locking bags OK though, LOL.
Probably every other motorcycle company has successfully used hydraulic actuated clutches for years now. Might as well put kick start only on 'em .

  Nothing wrong with a hydraulic clutch on a Harley. I replace every clutch on my bikes with hydraulic. Never had an issue doing slow speed turns, even on steep mountain hair pins. No maintenance and no adjusting. Always the same, every day, all the time. 

HD has made a step backwards IMO and most likely did so to cover up the previous defect rather than fix it.

[Billy]

Harley riders want technology, until they don't.  Fobs and auto locking bags OK though, LOL.
Probably every other motorcycle company has successfully used hydraulic actuated clutches for years now. Might as well put kick start only on 'em .

  Nothing wrong with a hydraulic clutch on a Harley. I replace every clutch on my bikes with hydraulic. Never had an issue doing slow speed turns, even on steep mountain hair pins. No Minimal maintenance and no adjusting. Always the same, every day, all the time. 

HD has made a step backwards IMO and most likely did so to cover up the previous defect rather than fix it.

It's been my experience that the fluid gets nasty sooner than it should and I would recommend changing it every 2 years, like you would do for the brakes. I've had to overhaul numerous master cylinders because this was neglected.

[hattitude]

Harley riders want technology, until they don't.  Fobs and auto locking bags OK though, LOL.
Probably every other motorcycle company has successfully used hydraulic actuated clutches for years now. Might as well put kick start only on 'em .

  Nothing wrong with a hydraulic clutch on a Harley. I replace every clutch on my bikes with hydraulic. Never had an issue doing slow speed turns, even on steep mountain hair pins. No Minimal maintenance and no adjusting. Always the same, every day, all the time. 

HD has made a step backwards IMO and most likely did so to cover up the previous defect rather than fix it.

It's been my experience that the fluid gets nasty sooner than it should and I would recommend changing it every 2 years, like you would do for the brakes. I've had to overhaul numerous master cylinders because this was neglected.

I bought a used 2016 Ultra Classic, that was just a couple months over 2 yrs old. The dealer had just flushed the ABS brake system, per paperwork that came with the bike.

This was my first hydraulic clutch, so I inspected the clutch fluid... It was really nasty looking...!

I flushed it, adding Motul DOT 5.1 fluid because it has a higher wet/dry boiling point that DOT 4. I figured since its line runs reight next to the exhaust, the higher boiling point can't hurt...

I now change it on the same schedule as my brake flush....

[Buglet]

  I have one here with a reverse kit on it. That beings the clutch release assembly out and also the line closer to the exhaust. Now after riding it for a while you lose the clutch. It got so hot It even started to melted the line. Cools down go to go. I think that it might of being a problem on some of them. It was back to the dealer a couple of times for that problem they just kept on redoing the master cylinder. I guess they didn't see the line getting melted from the heat.   

[FLSTFIDave]

Harley riders want technology, until they don't.  Fobs and auto locking bags OK though, LOL.
Probably every other motorcycle company has successfully used hydraulic actuated clutches for years now. Might as well put kick start only on 'em .

  Nothing wrong with a hydraulic clutch on a Harley. I replace every clutch on my bikes with hydraulic. Never had an issue doing slow speed turns, even on steep mountain hair pins. No maintenance and no adjusting. Always the same, every day, all the time. 

HD has made a step backwards IMO and most likely did so to cover up the previous defect rather than fix it.

My last 7 Harleys have had Hydraulic clutch.  No issues.  My 13 CVO Hydraulic clutch has worked fine all these years since new.  I agree, step backwards rather than fix the issue that came about with the M8.