Hydraulic Clutch Lever Hiss - 2014 Road King CVO
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Joined: Jun 2023
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From: Las Cruces, NM
Hydraulic Clutch Lever Hiss - 2014 Road King CVO
Good afternoon, and happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there.
I just recently purchased a 2014 Road King CVO. I’ve owned other Twin Cam and M8 motorcycles but I don’t believe I’ve owned one with a hydraulic clutch.
This morning, went riding with my Father In Law for Father’s Day and after over 45 minutes of riding my clutch went limp. I freaked out as I thought perhaps my clutch broke or lost fluid. Made it home and inspected. Still had fluid. After 30 minutes it built pressure. So figured fluid must have been old and boiled loosing all pressure.
Bought some DOT 4 Brake Fluid. Got bike up right on stand and started bleeding with a pneumatic bleeding tool. Fluid was dark. Almost like mud water. Needless to say I don’t believe the Harley dealership inspected or serviced the bike before selling (they also left the oil filter loose on my father in laws Breakout and this Road King)
Lever feels fine. It’s got good pressure. Engages fine and am able to shift gears. The only thing is I’m hearing a hiss when I slightly press the lever. Not sure if it’s always been this way or if the diaphragm has a leak?
Any one else experience something similar?
I just recently purchased a 2014 Road King CVO. I’ve owned other Twin Cam and M8 motorcycles but I don’t believe I’ve owned one with a hydraulic clutch.
This morning, went riding with my Father In Law for Father’s Day and after over 45 minutes of riding my clutch went limp. I freaked out as I thought perhaps my clutch broke or lost fluid. Made it home and inspected. Still had fluid. After 30 minutes it built pressure. So figured fluid must have been old and boiled loosing all pressure.
Bought some DOT 4 Brake Fluid. Got bike up right on stand and started bleeding with a pneumatic bleeding tool. Fluid was dark. Almost like mud water. Needless to say I don’t believe the Harley dealership inspected or serviced the bike before selling (they also left the oil filter loose on my father in laws Breakout and this Road King)
Lever feels fine. It’s got good pressure. Engages fine and am able to shift gears. The only thing is I’m hearing a hiss when I slightly press the lever. Not sure if it’s always been this way or if the diaphragm has a leak?
Any one else experience something similar?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2020
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From: West Coast
Were you in an excessively hot area? The hydraulic clutches have been know to go soft after the fluid overheats. They would recover once cooled down. That's all I got... Can't speak to antique fluid.
Last edited by Taxgod4u; Today at 06:43 PM.
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From: Las Cruces, NM
Only concern I have is the hiss when I slightly press the clutch
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From: Las Cruces, NM
Yes, it appears the reservoir or lever is creating the hissing sound. Been trying to cover the reservoir and banjo connection to see if it muffles the noise but can’t seem to find the area other than the lever.
I will upload a video if it allows me to along with an image of the fluid
I will upload a video if it allows me to along with an image of the fluid
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Pennsylvania
Just a FYI:
If the clutch fluid was dark, I would also bleed the front and back brake system. If it has ABS, I would get the ABS cycled by a dealer or independent to get the old fluid out of the ABS actuator
If the clutch fluid was dark, I would also bleed the front and back brake system. If it has ABS, I would get the ABS cycled by a dealer or independent to get the old fluid out of the ABS actuator
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,958
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From: NJ
Sounds to me like the seal on the cap isn’t fully seated or you didn’t torque the two screws down appropriately. it is very light torque, but you need to make sure they both get torqued equally. Before going crazy, I would at least try a new cap gasket, cause they are cheap
Also Harley caps are known to warp if they are over tightened.
I would probably get a spray bottle with some soapy water and spray all around the mating surface of the cap to the reservoir and see if you can create bubbles by pulling the clutch lever.
Also Harley caps are known to warp if they are over tightened.
I would probably get a spray bottle with some soapy water and spray all around the mating surface of the cap to the reservoir and see if you can create bubbles by pulling the clutch lever.
Last edited by Jersey Drew; Today at 08:08 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2023
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From: Las Cruces, NM
Sounds to me like the seal on the cap isn’t fully seated or you didn’t torque the two screws down appropriately. it is very light torque, but you need to make sure they both get torqued equally. Before going crazy, I would at least try a new cap gasket, cause they are cheap
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Joined: Jun 2023
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From: Las Cruces, NM
Yes, it’s got ABS. I was planning to bleed the brakes my self but didn’t know about the ABS module as on my 24 SG it had to be serviced by a dealer to get wrench icon removed