103 upgrade disappointing
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From: NE Ohio
My comparison is with the VPC on top of the SE spring, I'm running the SE spring on both my 06 Ultra and my Triglide. My self personally I wouldn't ditch the SE spring because the VPC needs the engine to spool up before it will clamp, the SE spring helps you get through the low RPM areas until the VPC can do its thing.
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From: san antonio
My comparison is with the VPC on top of the SE spring, I'm running the SE spring on both my 06 Ultra and my Triglide. My self personally I wouldn't ditch the SE spring because the VPC needs the engine to spool up before it will clamp, the SE spring helps you get through the low RPM areas until the VPC can do its thing.
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From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
I will leave the decision to maintain the SE spring to the OP. I have not experienced any problems on launch with the VPC. The 95" spins the tire in first and second and the 107" will poll the front wheel; not talking full blown wheelies, just saying that the 107" will lift the front wheel clear of the pavement without trying real hard. I understand the clamping pressure increases with RPMs but, like I said, no launch issue with either of my bikes.
98a spring in mine and I can't get it to slip under any conditions!
I did leave my SE spring in for a while and I didn't care for the feel in the lever.
Maybe a heavy trike uphill at low r's might have different requirements, but I would certainly try the softer spring first. (the newer stock spring will surely be too soft). Get the 98A. Stiffer than stock, softer than the SE. Win/win.
They ain't that hard to change. Worth experimenting for the best outcome.
Edit: You already know that I meant "with the vpc". Not spring only.
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From: NE Ohio
Make him yank the SE spring! LOL (he can always go back to it if he feels the need to).
98a spring in mine and I can't get it to slip under any conditions!
I did leave my SE spring in for a while and I didn't care for the feel in the lever.
Maybe a heavy trike uphill at low r's might have different requirements, but I would certainly try the softer spring first. (the newer stock spring will surely be too soft). Get the 98A. Stiffer than stock, softer than the SE. Win/win.
They ain't that hard to change. Worth experimenting for the best outcome.
Edit: You already know that I meant "with the vpc". Not spring only.
98a spring in mine and I can't get it to slip under any conditions!
I did leave my SE spring in for a while and I didn't care for the feel in the lever.
Maybe a heavy trike uphill at low r's might have different requirements, but I would certainly try the softer spring first. (the newer stock spring will surely be too soft). Get the 98A. Stiffer than stock, softer than the SE. Win/win.
They ain't that hard to change. Worth experimenting for the best outcome.
Edit: You already know that I meant "with the vpc". Not spring only.
Kind of a PIA pulling the outer primary cover to experiment, Some guys said they were able to change the spring through the derby cover, others said they did but had to use a hammer, I don't do hammers and chrome. When I put the spring on my 06 Ultra it wouldn't go through the derby so I had to pull the outer primary. The newer primary covers seem even smaller.
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From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
I have the SE spring and VPC in both my trike and my 2 wheel Ultra, wasn't thinking about the trike when I was recommending he leave well enough alone.
Kind of a PIA pulling the outer primary cover to experiment, Some guys said they were able to change the spring through the derby cover, others said they did but had to use a hammer, I don't do hammers and chrome. When I put the spring on my 06 Ultra it wouldn't go through the derby so I had to pull the outer primary. The newer primary covers seem even smaller.
Kind of a PIA pulling the outer primary cover to experiment, Some guys said they were able to change the spring through the derby cover, others said they did but had to use a hammer, I don't do hammers and chrome. When I put the spring on my 06 Ultra it wouldn't go through the derby so I had to pull the outer primary. The newer primary covers seem even smaller.
But really, pulling the primary cover is not that bad of a job, and extremely well worth the results of a better clutch pull!!!!!
One rainy afternoon in the garage swapping the spring, verses years of dealing with a less than optimal clutch pull.
Rainy afternoon in the garage, a few beers, a ball game on the TV or a radio, a few buds over for a visit for manly garage talk,.... think about that. Pulling the cover ain't a bad deal. You will have endless hours of pleasure afterward.
I think pulling my floorboard off for access to some primary bolts, sucked more than pulling the primary cover. Reused the same gasket at least 3 times.
Keep in mind the overall main objective,...... to have the perfect bike.
.
Last edited by Faast Ed; Feb 3, 2011 at 07:42 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: san antonio
Originally Posted by msocko3
Some guys said they were able to change the spring through the derby cover, others said they did but had to use a hammer, I don't do hammers and chrome. When I put the spring on my 06 Ultra it wouldn't go through the derby so I had to pull the outer primary. The newer primary covers seem even smaller.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 892
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From: Central Florida
I changed to the 98A spring on my 07 Fatty based on input from FaastED. I did it while I had the primary cover off to install the Wedge II primary chain tensioner. Both upgrades gave fantastic results. Only have a few thousand miles on it since then, but I like it more everytime I ride.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: orlando, fl
I was ready to try the VPC when Doc suggested another solution. He recommended putting in the SE clutch but use my stock spring. Doc said the SE clutch has a better series of plates than stock clutch and should prevent slipping even with the stock spring. It's a little less money than the VPC. With the stock spring, the lever pull should be also stock. Doc had some concerns with the VPC holding since some of my slippage appeared to come at lower rpm where the VPC isn't as effective. I'm sure I'll hear a lot of pros/cons re this solution but I've never gotten bad advice from Doc. Lots of ways to skin the cat, but I'm sure getting tired of reaching for that plastic card.
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From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
Doc had some concerns with the VPC holding since some of my slippage appeared to come at lower rpm where the VPC isn't as effective
The 06 and up spring is real weak, the 04 was a little heavier, the pre 03 (98a) a little heavier yet. But not as heavy as the SE.
No doubt this other method you mentioned will also work.