Hydraulic clutch conversion on 2012 Ultra
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1,320
From: Good roads, cold beer
what mechanical benefit is there to having a hydro clutch?
what mechanical benefit is there to retrofitting one to an older model? (a 2012)
(yea, OP is gone but others reading this thread it seems too)
what mechanical benefit is there to retrofitting one to an older model? (a 2012)
(yea, OP is gone but others reading this thread it seems too)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,183
Likes: 12,762
From: South Carolina
The only real benefit is that the hydraulic system uses a hose, and the hose can be routed with much tighter turns than a cable (routing it through a fairing).
On a bike without a fairing there is no advantage to a hydraulic clutch system.
On a bike without a fairing there is no advantage to a hydraulic clutch system.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 837
From: KMHT KFMY
and a whole lot of reduced effort to pull AND HOLD it, especially if you have heavy springs in the clutch
Way back when, a German company named Magura made an affordable Hydraulic clutch set up for touring bikes, I have not seen them listed for a couple of years now, but I have on on my 2003 Bagger and people who try it love it. I want to say it was under $400 dollars
Way back when, a German company named Magura made an affordable Hydraulic clutch set up for touring bikes, I have not seen them listed for a couple of years now, but I have on on my 2003 Bagger and people who try it love it. I want to say it was under $400 dollars
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 38
Likes: 1
From: Canada
Hydraulic Clutch benefits
There are three main reasons, one easier clutch lever action, two, no need for adjustments and thirdly have you ever been out in the middle of no where and your clutch cable snaps, I have and it is no fun!!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,183
Likes: 12,762
From: South Carolina
A hydraulic system can fail too, and probably unlikely, just as a cable is unlikely to fail.
The only difference between the two for effort required is how much leverage each system has, hydraulic is no easier than a well routed cable in good working condition.
You may not have the friction of the cable on a hydraulic system, but you instead have a piston in the master cylinder, and a piston on the actuator cylinder.
There is no magic to hydraulics, you still only get out what you put in.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Jul 9, 2020 at 06:59 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1,320
From: Good roads, cold beer
Hydo clutch.....fluid needs changing similar to a brake system to keep it running smoothly. Most modern clutch cables to my knowledge don't even need lubrication. Considering HDs ABS and Dot4 issues, I am leery about putting even more Dot4 anywhere in my bike. Have also read some guys need to flush the system sooner then later due to assembly lube in the Dot4 from the factory and that the fluid can actually 'boil' if routed next to the exhaust. Having ridden thru CA and NV heat, this isn't something I'd want to worry about unless there was some home-run mechanical advantage to having a hydro clutch- which was my initial question.
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badbag
Primary/Transmission/Driveline/Clutch
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Sep 11, 2008 09:58 AM
