Variable Pressure Clutch
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 1,834
From: In a house
In reading all this thread, i see a few mentions that to much pressure can break things? Can some one elaborate? What gets broken? Sounds like I am going to need a vpc soon s mine is slipping, and all I have done is the air cleaner, slip ons and a light flash. But have cams in hand and planning on port and polish with larger valves, in the future. If it's slipping now it most certainly will slip with more power added, so I was thinking more pressure = better.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,637
Likes: 1,246
From: Lake, Ms
My experience with a Barnett Heavy Duty Clutch Spring: 1. Broken clutch cable in about 3 months 2. Entire clutch level assembly severely worn, and some pieces broken in about three months; had to replace all of it None of it was terribly expensive, but it was a terribly PITA. A heavy duty clutch spring is a solution to clutch slip, but it's not the best solution, not without a VPC to go with it in any case. And I don't think that for most builds both are needed. Some maybe, but not for most.
Tourer
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 293
Likes: 15
From: Vacaville
My experience with a Barnett Heavy Duty Clutch Spring:
1. Broken clutch cable in about 3 months
2. Entire clutch lever assembly severely worn, and some pieces broken in about three months; had to replace all of it
None of it was terribly expensive, but it was a terrible PITA. A heavy duty clutch spring is a solution to clutch slip, but it's not the best solution, not without a VPC to go with it, in any case. And I don't think that for most builds both are needed. Some maybe, but not for most.
1. Broken clutch cable in about 3 months
2. Entire clutch lever assembly severely worn, and some pieces broken in about three months; had to replace all of it
None of it was terribly expensive, but it was a terrible PITA. A heavy duty clutch spring is a solution to clutch slip, but it's not the best solution, not without a VPC to go with it, in any case. And I don't think that for most builds both are needed. Some maybe, but not for most.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,637
Likes: 1,246
From: Lake, Ms
Thanks for the reply. So should I stick with the stock Harley 103 spring and add the lower pressure VPC's that are offered? Just looking for answers before I commit. I am not going to be drag racing anytime soon. Thought I do plane in adding some more upgrades in power in the future.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 86
From: Centeral Coast, California
Diverrick: Bates and I both did the same thing, and he's spot on. Short of doing something like a 117" build, the VP-95LC used in tandem with your stock spring will hold up to close but not quite 150 ftp. of torque. I think I read that it would hold like 148 ftp or some darn thing. You'd have to do one hell of a build to have a motor making that kind of power, and your concerns would include far more than just a VPC.
Last edited by gipper; Feb 18, 2016 at 12:40 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 86
From: Centeral Coast, California
Diverrick: Roadie13 is correct though....you shouldn't be experiencing slip based on your current set-up. Are you sure it's adjusted appropriately? Are you doing all of your own work?
Tourer
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 293
Likes: 15
From: Vacaville
No harley did it. I Had to bring it back a second time, as they made my original problem worse. Orignally it was not releasing fully and the bike kept wanting to roll forward while clutch was fully pulled in. I think they might have over shot. I checked the cable and it was quite tight, no free play at all, so I loosened it up a touch to see if that helps. I agree I should not be having this kinda issue at only 19k miles since new.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Il
I love the idea of the vpc but I need a new clutch I think will tear apart hopefully soon when the weather breaks and I can pull bike out of storage what clutch and plates should I run stock or Barnett ???? any one running the plus one plate kit with a vpc ??
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Joined: Dec 2007
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I currently have a SE spring on my 2010 Streetglide. Was thinking about adding a VPC to get better grip. Does the Variable Pressure make the hand lever pull any easier or will it actually get harder? Is the AIM any better/worse than the others? I believe from what I have read the Harley model is actually mfg'd by AIM.
Easy pull with OE spring.
Scott
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 397
Likes: 117
From: Arizona
Purchased my 2012 FLHTK used approx. a year ago. Prevoius owner said he added an extra clutch plate. Clutch works great but has a very stiff lever pull. Don't know if he added a different spring or not. Would love to purchase a vpc if I'm able to?
Thanks
Scott
Thanks
Scott