Mousetrap on Shovelhead?
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 10
From: Cape Cod, MA
Mousetrap on Shovelhead?
Just acquired a nice 76 Shovel to keep me busy over the winter. The bike included a new Rivera Primo clutch kit that the previous owner had bought, but not installed. I had a vintage bike shop install it for me, since I've never worked on old Harleys before, and I think they did a good job.
I thought the Rivera would make the clutch lever easier, but I still find it to be a hard pull. I've had some surgery on my left hand and may be having some more. My grip is not that weak, but I get tired if I have to pull this clutch a lot on a longer ride.
So I've been googling some forums and it seems like you can fit a mousetrap on a Shovel FLH by replacing the stock clutch arm with a '65-'69 clutch arm. I found a nice used one on eBay that I ordered and I'm going to see if that actually fits before I order the mousetrap. I have one lined up a Dennis Kirk here and they have a good return policy if I can't get it to work. So that's my plan.
Just thought I'd float this on the forum here to see if anyone might have experience and any advice. One post suggested Harley may have had more than one generation of mousetrap??
Thanks!
I thought the Rivera would make the clutch lever easier, but I still find it to be a hard pull. I've had some surgery on my left hand and may be having some more. My grip is not that weak, but I get tired if I have to pull this clutch a lot on a longer ride.
So I've been googling some forums and it seems like you can fit a mousetrap on a Shovel FLH by replacing the stock clutch arm with a '65-'69 clutch arm. I found a nice used one on eBay that I ordered and I'm going to see if that actually fits before I order the mousetrap. I have one lined up a Dennis Kirk here and they have a good return policy if I can't get it to work. So that's my plan.
Just thought I'd float this on the forum here to see if anyone might have experience and any advice. One post suggested Harley may have had more than one generation of mousetrap??
Thanks!
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 988
From: Ohio
First I would determine what clutch spring you have. Below are the spring options that a Rivera clutch has. I suspect you don't need a high performance clutch, so the lightest spring should work for you.
Black spring - stock performance
Silver spring - performance usage
Gold spring - competition performance
Rivera Diaphragm Clutch Springs
Black spring - stock performance
Silver spring - performance usage
Gold spring - competition performance
Rivera Diaphragm Clutch Springs
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 2,564
From: CT/FL
Also, make sure the clutch cable is in good shape. They do wear out and become harder to operate. I was amazed the difference made when I installed a Barnett cable on my FXR. A cheap cable only made it worse before I wised up.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 408
Likes: 288
From: Wiesbaden /Germany
Hi rodfun,
I haven't really dealt with the "server coupling", also known as the "mousetrap".
Perhaps this attached guide in German will be helpful.
Source: http://shovelschuppen.de/index.html
(The website is a bit "old-fashioned", but full of information for Shovelhead owners...)
Translating this small file shouldn't be a problem, but if it is, I'd be happy to help...
Mike
PS We Germans are detail freaks, even without knowing anything about it, but it's also fun to explain something simple in the most complicated way possible...
I haven't really dealt with the "server coupling", also known as the "mousetrap".
Perhaps this attached guide in German will be helpful.
Source: http://shovelschuppen.de/index.html
(The website is a bit "old-fashioned", but full of information for Shovelhead owners...)
Translating this small file shouldn't be a problem, but if it is, I'd be happy to help...
Mike
PS We Germans are detail freaks, even without knowing anything about it, but it's also fun to explain something simple in the most complicated way possible...
Last edited by Mike1956G; Nov 19, 2025 at 03:04 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 574
My 67 FLH came with a mousetrap on it. I installed mousetraps on both 68 and 69 FLHs. They work well and definitely ease the pull on a stock clutch. I dont know about the Rivera. Adjusting can be a challenge the first time around but its worth it. IMHO.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
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From: la la land jerzey
Spring balance is the key for the trap big lever spring just a bit tighter then the clutch hat - in place then turn the spring in the mouse till the lever falls forward is the softest look in the factory book it shows all the locations of everything to get it right
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,122
Likes: 51,433
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
That clutch kit and mousetraps do not play well together, Panz4ever and I fought that battle for a week on a sweet pan hardtail he did for his niece, we never could get it to operate correctly. The mousetrap over travels the throw out arm and the spring plate bows out to far popping over the wrong way, it was infuriating. Stock clutch setup works sweet, no MT it works sweet, together? Ain't happening.
Contact Panz and ask he'll fill you in, I have that clutch pack sitting on my bench still .
Contact Panz and ask he'll fill you in, I have that clutch pack sitting on my bench still .
