HarleyTechTalk

Today I got stuck riding in slow and go traffic on the Yosemite valley floor. On the way out my clutch started acting up. At one point I had a lot of play in the lever. I down shifted and the clutch engaged right off the grip jarring me.

When we got back to the cabin I checked the resivoir. It was full. The is still a bit looser than I think it should be.

Any suggestions?

How hot was it?  If it is cold now does it operate ok?

Where I am going with this is is it possible that the fluid was boiling?  The connection to the slave is down by the exhaust pipe isn't it?

Quote from: ThumperDeuce on June 22, 2018, 04:46:02 PM
How hot was it?  If it is cold now does it operate ok?

Where I am going with this is is it possible that the fluid was boiling?  The connection to the slave is down by the exhaust pipe isn't it?

Temps were in the low 90s.

What year is the bike? Does it need changing? > moisture

It feels okay now.

Maybe I should put some header wrap around that portion of the exhaust where the pipe runs along the clutch line. Hopefully it will help to keep the line from getting heated by the exhaust.

When's the last time you flushed your clutch hydraulic DOT4?

Quote from: csmhog on June 22, 2018, 06:54:05 PM
When's the last time you flushed your clutch hydraulic DOT4?

Bingo!....We have a winner

I've had several complaints of the same.

After testing the Fluid it was very high in moisture (>6% as high as the scale on my meter goes).

Flushed with the DOT4 Synthetic (Euro-Standard 5.1) and no returns.

So I guess that was the culprit.

I really wish they would have stuck with the cable.

Today, same conditions, no issues. I'm going to change out the fluid anyway when I get home.

Quote from: klammer76 on June 23, 2018, 07:33:50 AM
I really wish they would have stuck with the cable.

....what is new is not always better!

Quote from: koko3052 on June 23, 2018, 09:56:46 PM

Quote from: klammer76 on June 23, 2018, 07:33:50 AM
I really wish they would have stuck with the cable.

....what is new is not always better!

       glad I have a 2013

Quote from: klammer76 on June 23, 2018, 07:33:50 AM
I really wish they would have stuck with the cable.

Glad my 17 heritage uses a cable. I've test ridden several bikes with hydraulic clutches including the new yammy tourer and didn't care for any of them. Are any of them adjustable in any way? I like the clutch set up for me and not by some "engineer."

I ride a 2016 Limited. I love the hydraulic clutch. No adjustments, always releases at the same point. Just change fluid every couple years and it should work fine.

Quote from: PoorUB on June 24, 2018, 08:45:35 AM
I ride a 2016 Limited. I love the hydraulic clutch. No adjustments, always releases at the same point. Just change fluid every couple years and it should work fine.

   Just have to get used to it but, all things considered, it's the best setup IMO.


Edit to say that I don't think there is anything wrong with a cable clutch either. I do like that the hyd clutch never changes feel and requires no adjustment as the plates wear.

But what about the 'Friction Zone'? Hahahha

Quote from: turboprop on June 24, 2018, 09:36:48 AM
But what about the 'Friction Zone'? Hahahha

Who needs that, lol. 

Quote from: turboprop on June 24, 2018, 09:36:48 AM
But what about the 'Friction Zone'? Hahahha

I run it in the friction zone while making tight low speed turns. I will admit it took some time to get accustomed to it but I have zero issues with the hydraulic clutch.

It is like many things that change, some resist the change, some adapt to it and grow to like it. I recall discussions about breaker points versus electronic, carburetor versus EFI. The great majority finally accepted those changes too.

The cable was ok, when that was all we had. I hated adjusting the cable clutch. It did not take long, but it seemed to take 2-3 attempts to get it where I was used to running it.

"The cable was ok, when that was all we had. I hated adjusting the cable clutch. It did not take long, but it seemed to take 2-3 attempts to get it where I was used to running it."

Agree. 3 different bikes with hydraulic actuated clutch's, 130,000 miles combined, never a issue.

I like the hyd clutches too.  I did have an issue out west a few years ago at altitude but it turned out to be related to having never changed the fluid.  Went back the next year after doing the work and no problems.  Will take care of that from now on.   

No issues whatsoever in 135K with the hydraulic clutch 2004 SE Deuce and it still has the factory fill with zero maintenance...dot 5 in the 2004 has allowed me to neglect the maintenance.

I personally like a hydraulic clutch,  both on the Harley and my KTM 525 that's uses mineral oil.

Guess I have enough slipper clutch build into my right hand to where it's never an issue.  Dry clutch on the 916 Duc is a different animal.  Any hard launch results in a squawk as the clutch locks up from heat while still holding the lever in what was the friction zone...front then gets carried a little less than a foot off while the engine is grunting in slight bog.

I rode a 2015 stock Street Glide in Maui last year on the road to Hana and lost the clutch completely. The fluid boiled because it was hot and that road requires being in 1st and 2nd gear almost the whole ride due to the turns and tourist traffic. If you "ride" the clutch at all, it only enhances the problem. Once I stopped for an hour to let it cool down, it worked fine from there.

By the way, my friend I was riding with was on an Indian and had no clutch problems at all.

'Lost the Clutch 2x on the '09SERG,,, the first time was on The Going To The Sun Road in Glacier National Park, then 4 years later on The Cherohala Skyway in the Smokey Mountains.

The "formula" was basically the same;

Ambient temps from the high 80s into the 90s, stop and go / constricted travel, Elevation over (approx.) 2k ft.,,, the Clutch starts to lose disengagement, Clutch comes back if any of the 3 in the "formula" is removed...

Other folks have related the same experience with (basically) the same 'formula'...

fwiw I flush the hydraulics every couple years or so... 

I think if I had one, I would consider doing it every year. Sure couldn't hurt, and not expensive.