Longer clutch pushrod?
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 517
Likes: 6
From: Ottawa, ON
Longer clutch pushrod?
I'm trying to install a NOS kicker from Chrome Specialties on my '94 softail.
Apparently (and it says so in the intruction sheet), it needs 2" longer pushrod.
My current one is 11".
I went to the local custom shop, they looked through the catalogues, but didn't find anything.
Chrome specialties does not exist anymere, so their p/n is useless
Does anyone know where else I can ask for an 13" rod? Or maybe the one from some other bike would fit?
Apparently (and it says so in the intruction sheet), it needs 2" longer pushrod.
My current one is 11".
I went to the local custom shop, they looked through the catalogues, but didn't find anything.
Chrome specialties does not exist anymere, so their p/n is useless
Does anyone know where else I can ask for an 13" rod? Or maybe the one from some other bike would fit?
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 64
From: SoCal
RE: Longer clutch pushrod?
I am not familiar with what the clutch pushrod looks like for a '94 Softail but in the past I've made stuff like that as necessary. On four speed trannys the push rod is 3/8" steel round stock. If yours is the same sort of rod, buy some round stock at a metal yard or even Home Depot if that's all you can find. If the throw-out bearing end has a special shape to it, have a machine shop match the end to your old pushrod. If you have access to and know how to use a lathe, of course, you can do it yourself. Harden the pressure plate end and your all set. Nothing much to it if you're handy or a machine shop should be able to whip one out quick for ya for not too much dough.
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 517
Likes: 6
From: Ottawa, ON
RE: Longer clutch pushrod?
Thanx a lot, Megawatt!
that's what I was thinking of, however I wasn't sure if home depot has a suitable grade.
If it's good enough, is there a trick to heat treat the ends, or just simply make them red and deep into oil?
that's what I was thinking of, however I wasn't sure if home depot has a suitable grade.
If it's good enough, is there a trick to heat treat the ends, or just simply make them red and deep into oil?
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 307
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From:
RE: Longer clutch pushrod?
old trick was to cut the old one in half then use a pair of ball bearing and sandwich a pice of bar the right length between them you then keep the ends that factory used and the ball bearings stop any bindingbetwene thejoins.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 64
From: SoCal
RE: Longer clutch pushrod?
I prefer cold rolled steel as opposed to hot rolled steel. It is tougher stuff. I'd go to a metal yard if there is one close enough to you to be worth the trip (call first to ask if they have what you want). Now that I think about it, I am not too sure what you'll find at Home Depot. The last time I was in there the flat stock I was looking at said it was hot rolled.
Heat the end you want to harden until just turning red, take the heat away and watch for the color of the metal to turn blue as it cools. Submerge it in water to "catch" it with that blue color and it should be hard enough for this application. Don't forget to clean off the slag with a wire wheel or whatever (emery cloth) that will probably form where you heated it.
Good luck.
Heat the end you want to harden until just turning red, take the heat away and watch for the color of the metal to turn blue as it cools. Submerge it in water to "catch" it with that blue color and it should be hard enough for this application. Don't forget to clean off the slag with a wire wheel or whatever (emery cloth) that will probably form where you heated it.
Good luck.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 64
From: SoCal
RE: Longer clutch pushrod?
Oh yeah, have a file handy when you heat the rod (smooth bastard file). When you take the heat away, run the file over the end of the rod to clean away the slag that will probably develop to see the metal color. You're just taking off the slag, very little, if any, metal will be removed.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 64
From: SoCal
RE: Longer clutch pushrod?
jokenroll, what do the ends of the pushrod look like? I was looking at a Jireh catalog exploded view of softail 5 speed trannys to see the clutch push rod. It shows a three piece affair. Is that what you have? If so, are you just gonna make the center piece? If thats all you are making then I don't see a need to harden either end. It won't hurt to harden the ends if you really want to do it. Are the ends of the rod rounded? If so, then you will probably want to drag the file across the side of the rod rather than the end so you can see it better if you harden it.
Again, good luck.
Again, good luck.
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 517
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From: Ottawa, ON
RE: Longer clutch pushrod?
ORIGINAL: megawatt
jokenroll, what do the ends of the pushrod look like? I was looking at a Jireh catalog exploded view of softail 5 speed trannys to see the clutch push rod. It shows a three piece affair. Is that what you have? If so, are you just gonna make the center piece? If thats all you are making then I don't see a need to harden either end. It won't hurt to harden the ends if you really want to do it. Are the ends of the rod rounded? If so, then you will probably want to drag the file across the side of the rod rather than the end so you can see it better if you harden it.
Again, good luck.
jokenroll, what do the ends of the pushrod look like? I was looking at a Jireh catalog exploded view of softail 5 speed trannys to see the clutch push rod. It shows a three piece affair. Is that what you have? If so, are you just gonna make the center piece? If thats all you are making then I don't see a need to harden either end. It won't hurt to harden the ends if you really want to do it. Are the ends of the rod rounded? If so, then you will probably want to drag the file across the side of the rod rather than the end so you can see it better if you harden it.
Again, good luck.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 64
From: SoCal
RE: Longer clutch pushrod?
I can't say it's the best, but the most commonly available method is an oxy-acetylene torch. If you have a propane torch, that will do the job. With propane it will take longer than oxy-acetylene, but it will get it red hot, just give it time.