EVO All Evo Model Discussion

Evo Clutch.....

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 15, 2018 | 08:24 PM
  #1  
98hotrodfatboy's Avatar
98hotrodfatboy
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,028
Likes: 7,549
From: Poolville
Default Evo Clutch.....

I posted this in the Trans/primary drive section with no response and was wondering what you guys might think of this attempt to more clutch disengagement...

On my 98 Evo clutch I never could get more than .068" travel as measured at the release plate in the clutch basket with a dial indicator. I believe the FSM calls for .080".

The total movement allowable at the ramp is .122" which is limited by the amount the clutch lever action. So with that in mind I am trying to figure a way to get more ramp expansion with the limited amount of clutch lever travel that cannot be changed. I tried a 21* ramp as compared to the stock 18* ramp and there was no significant change. So I disassembled the ramp and took a look at the design and to me the ball bearings look small for the size of the notches in the ramps.

So I'm thinking if I increase the diameter of the ball bearing this would aide in increasing the amount of ramping with the same about of clutch lever travel.... The stock ball bearing measure .375". A larger bearing of 10mm or .394" would have a larger circumference which should make the ramp move the same distance with less pull...

I ordered them yesterday and hopefully I'll be able to get it all together on Sunday and make the same measurement with my dial indicator... Me goal is reaching .080" travel at the clutch release plate... What do you guys think....? thanx all......
 
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2018 | 08:37 PM
  #2  
Dr.Hess's Avatar
Dr.Hess
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,195
Likes: 3,085
From: NW AR
Default

I think it's worth a try. You have the slack out of the system? The hinge pin in the lever is in good shape and not adding slack? Pulling the lever results in the clutch action starting without undo slack anywhere? No one has put one of those EZ clutch things in, right?
 
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2018 | 10:47 PM
  #3  
texashillcountry's Avatar
texashillcountry
Dirt don't hurt
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 4,547
From: Haslet Texas
Default

How much are you backing out your adjustment screw when you lock it down?
 
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2018 | 11:00 PM
  #4  
NORTY FLATZ's Avatar
NORTY FLATZ
Seasoned HDF Member
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Liked
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15,947
Likes: 7,042
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Default

Might make the clutch pull harder. .068" separation should be enough, as long as there's nothing warped within the basket.
What is your "target" measurement? .080"? That's only 12 thousandths more. About 5 human hairs. (6 if she's a real redhead.)
Are you experiencing clutch drag now?
Got full lockup?
No slippage at WFO?

Just trying to see what your priorities are with this.
 
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2018 | 05:42 AM
  #5  
98hotrodfatboy's Avatar
98hotrodfatboy
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,028
Likes: 7,549
From: Poolville
Default

Originally Posted by Dr.Hess
I think it's worth a try. You have the slack out of the system? The hinge pin in the lever is in good shape and not adding slack? Pulling the lever results in the clutch action starting without undo slack anywhere? No one has put one of those EZ clutch things in, right?
The hinge pin has no play and I installed new a new pin for the cable and no, no one installed an EZ setup..
 
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2018 | 05:48 AM
  #6  
98hotrodfatboy's Avatar
98hotrodfatboy
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,028
Likes: 7,549
From: Poolville
Default

Originally Posted by texashillcountry
How much are you backing out your adjustment screw when you lock it down?
If it's an 1/8 turn, it's a lot. Can't back it off too far cause then not enough to disengage...

Originally Posted by NORTY FLATZ
Might make the clutch pull harder. .068" separation should be enough, as long as there's nothing warped within the basket.
What is your "target" measurement? .080"? That's only 12 thousandths more. About 5 human hairs. (6 if she's a real redhead.)
Are you experiencing clutch drag now?
Got full lockup?
No slippage at WFO?

Just trying to see what your priorities are with this.
Yes...
yes...
No.....
012" is a lot. It would be all the difference in smoother shifts without drag....
 
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2018 | 06:37 AM
  #7  
texashillcountry's Avatar
texashillcountry
Dirt don't hurt
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 4,547
From: Haslet Texas
Default

Originally Posted by 98hotrodfatboy
If it's an 1/8 turn, it's a lot. Can't back it off too far cause then not enough to disengage...
I'm guessing you replaced the OEM clutch parts to match up with your bigger motor.

How old is your clutch cable?
Could it have stretched a bit?

Not entirely sure bigger ball bearings will help as they still need to be small enough for the snap ring to be installed over the ramp plates.

FWIW I just bought a scorpion low profile lock up clutch set up for my 111" motor.
 
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2018 | 09:05 AM
  #8  
98hotrodfatboy's Avatar
98hotrodfatboy
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,028
Likes: 7,549
From: Poolville
Default

Originally Posted by texashillcountry
I'm guessing you replaced the OEM clutch parts to match up with your bigger motor.

How old is your clutch cable?
Could it have stretched a bit?

Not entirely sure bigger ball bearings will help as they still need to be small enough for the snap ring to be installed over the ramp plates.

FWIW I just bought a scorpion low profile lock up clutch set up for my 111" motor.
I have a completely new primary drive from Baker.

The cable is only a few years old and any stretching would have been adjusted out if any...

Correct on the bigger ball bearings. That's why I measured everything. They will only be .022" larger in circumference which will actually fit the ramps better. The OEM seem very small as compared to the ramps.

Theoretically because of the larger circumference it will change the position of the ball in the ramp and should have more movement in the ramps with the same amount of clutch lever movement. So with that creating a little more lever travel I'm thinking I might be able to maximize the ramp separation to it designed potential... I'll know this weekend...
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 16, 2018 | 09:06 AM
  #9  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Red face

Having an older Evo which has always had marginal clutch-plate clearance I shall watch with interest. I adjust mine at the clutch by the book, but take out most of the cable slack. Makes me feel better, as if I've achieved a little improvement!
 
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2018 | 09:38 AM
  #10  
98hotrodfatboy's Avatar
98hotrodfatboy
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,028
Likes: 7,549
From: Poolville
Default

Originally Posted by grbrown
Having an older Evo which has always had marginal clutch-plate clearance I shall watch with interest. I adjust mine at the clutch by the book, but take out most of the cable slack. Makes me feel better, as if I've achieved a little improvement!
Same here....
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:26 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE