Hyd clutch back to cable. Why?
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 383
From: Arkansastan
Hyd clutch back to cable. Why?
Just was curious as to why HD went back to the cable clutch? I have a 2020 with the hydro clutch and find it no issue to use. I even like it somewhat better than the cable. So why did the MoCo go back to a cable clutch? We’re there issues? Consumer preference? Just a pondering question.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 383
From: Arkansastan
I get the on-off feel, but for me, I kind of prefer that. I just didnt know if it was some kind of issue that I was getting to look forward to or something like that.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 11,290
From: Colorado Rockies
I own bikes with both cable and hydraulic clutches. My preference is the cable clutch. There is a lot of let out on the hydraulic and a smaller friction zone that takes some getting used to. Again, personal preference.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,696
Likes: 3,477
From: Wake Forest, NC
Same here. I prefer the cable, at least compared to the one hydraulic HD that I have. I have two cars with hydraulic clutch and they are fine. Personal preference. I may try the Softbrake lever, or maybe a different slave cylinder. I heard that the slave cylinders were getting hot from exhaust and failing, that's why HD switched back to cable. Not sure how true that is.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 11,757
From: Omaha,NE
Cable clutches on modern bikes are ridiculous. It's obsolete technology. Triumph still uses it on some of their bikes (my 2020 Bobber, for instance). I think it's a cost issue, nothing more. My '21 Rocket 3 is hydraulic. I like them because you never have to adjust them, and other than 2-year fluid changes, maintenance-free.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,210
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From: St.Louis Mo.
[QUOTE=Rob Harper;20571241 I heard that the slave cylinders were getting hot from exhaust and failing, that's why HD switched back to cable. Not sure how true that is.[/QUOTE] I do believe this to be the case on twin cam models. Look where they put the cat. Right underneath the trans cover. They put the rear brake light switch right there too. And then they wonder why they fail. STUPID !
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,028
From: Carlsbad, CA
I don’t usually bash HD, but this time I will. Harley screwed up the implementation, and rather than figuring out how to implement the hydraulic clutch properly they trashed it and went back to cable. Their implementation, had too high of a release point, nearly on/off operation with minimal friction zone, and the hand force required was more than the cable implementation. With my prior left hand injuries, it was a literal pain. I had the AIM slave installed which reduced the force required…but it still has the near on/off actuation. I’ve gotten used to it. Such that when doing low speed maneuvers, I drag the rear brake more now to control speed.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 1,219
From: Dubuque, IA
Cable clutches on modern bikes are ridiculous. It's obsolete technology. Triumph still uses it on some of their bikes (my 2020 Bobber, for instance). I think it's a cost issue, nothing more. My '21 Rocket 3 is hydraulic. I like them because you never have to adjust them, and other than 2-year fluid changes, maintenance-free.
Way more ridiculous things to get your undies in a bunch over but ok...
I like my cable just fine.