Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

2021 cable clutch

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 6, 2021 | 08:39 AM
  #31  
biglew55's Avatar
biglew55
Road Captain
Veteran: Air Force
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 707
Likes: 470
From: IA
Default

Originally Posted by VAFish
So the big question is, how is the MoCo going to spin this as an upgrade?
Better feel, more adjustability.
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2021 | 08:42 AM
  #32  
Essthreetee's Avatar
Essthreetee
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 471
Likes: 103
From: Central California
Default

I guess I do not understand how anyone not involved with the decision can make statements about it.
Maybe it was made to save some money...in a time where the company has been struggling, why is a decision to save money not celebrated? Maybe it was because they felt a cable offered more flexibility and ease of alteration by owners...if this is the case wouldn’t that be a reason to celebrate? Maybe they wanted to use more parts made in USA...reason to celebrate?

I have no idea why the decision was made...and because of that, I am not going to criticize anyone for it.
I personally am glad that HD is still around and still producing beautiful machines.
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2021 | 08:54 AM
  #33  
09 YELLOWBIRD's Avatar
09 YELLOWBIRD
Grand HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,932
Likes: 882
From: SOON TO BE A SAFE AMERICA
Default

Originally Posted by VAFish
So the big question is, how is the MoCo going to spin this as an upgrade?

The MoCo will up sale you on a Screamin' Eagle Clutch cable that cost more comes with a special logo and "better than" a normal clutch cable. But truth be told, it's just for the folks who drank the Harley Davidson "kool-Aid"!


Go Motor Company...


YB
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2021 | 09:01 AM
  #34  
MotoJockey's Avatar
MotoJockey
Grand HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,683
Likes: 3,976
From: Near Yosemite
Default

I remember back when the M8's first came out and many, including myself, were experiencing the dreaded "Transmission Fluid Transfer", and that there was a lot talk that it was ONLY those bikes with hydro clutches, none with cables. In fact, $tonecold even put together a parts listed need to swap back to cable from hydro. All we can see at this point is the cable on the outside, without being able to see if there were any significant changes to the inside on the clutch actuating system as well to possibly attempt to FIX the transfer issue, instead of putting a BANDAID on it with their brilliant Primary Case Vent. I like the hydro on my 14 SG, but I hated the Tranny Fluid Transfer enough to dump my M8 and go back to a TC. Like to see if the clutch system has changed as well........
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2021 | 11:01 AM
  #35  
Campy Roadie's Avatar
Campy Roadie
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Marine Corps
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
Default

I'd like to personally thank all the M8 beta testers for sorting out this hydraulic actuated clutch issue. Harley Davidson, yesterday's technology at tomorrow's prices.

The only way to get quality out of a company is to starve them until get the message. With these new big inch motors they're putting out, that clutch pull is gonna be a treat, especially in a traffic jam.
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2021 | 11:07 AM
  #36  
biglew55's Avatar
biglew55
Road Captain
Veteran: Air Force
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 707
Likes: 470
From: IA
Default

Originally Posted by Nomadmax
I'd like to personally thank all the M8 beta testers for sorting out this hydraulic actuated clutch issue. Harley Davidson, yesterday's technology at tomorrow's prices.

The only way to get quality out of a company is to starve them until get the message. With these new big inch motors they're putting out, that clutch pull is gonna be a treat, especially in a traffic jam.
That's where the cable clutch will shine. The on/off friction zone of the hydraulic clutch is a pain in traffic.
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2021 | 11:16 AM
  #37  
Campy Roadie's Avatar
Campy Roadie
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Marine Corps
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by biglew55
That's where the cable clutch will shine. The on/off friction zone of the hydraulic clutch is a pain in traffic.
There is nothing to assist with the required heavier clutch spring for bigger motors. It is true that a cable clutch has better actuation but you're gonna pay for it with increased lever effort.

My real point is, everyone else who makes motorcycles have mastered the black art of hydro clutches, HD tried a bandaid and then just gave up.
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2021 | 11:46 AM
  #38  
Dan89FLSTC's Avatar
Dan89FLSTC
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
Active Streak: 30 Days
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,174
Likes: 12,745
From: South Carolina
Default

Originally Posted by Nomadmax
There is nothing to assist with the required heavier clutch spring for bigger motors. It is true that a cable clutch has better actuation but you're gonna pay for it with increased lever effort.
It doesn`t matter if you are actuating the clutch with a cable system or a hydraulic system, it will require the same amount of pressure to disengage the clutch, and the same amount of effort at the lever.

The only advantage to the hydraulic system is that it is easy to route a hose through tight spots, but the cable needs nice big radius turns.
 

Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Jan 6, 2021 at 11:49 AM.
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 6, 2021 | 01:18 PM
  #39  
hattitude's Avatar
hattitude
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,158
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
Default

Originally Posted by stixvrad

Bike and car makers have been using hydraulic clutches for decades with no problems.
I'm guessing the people at HD couldn't refine theirs well enough to be on par with just about everyone else?

Which doesnt say much about their engineers.

Originally Posted by Nomadmax

My real point is, everyone else who makes motorcycles have mastered the black art of hydro clutches,

HD tried a bandaid and then just gave up

.


Some or even most of their engineers are probably squared away people... I'm gonna bet it's the bean counters, backed by the Board of Directors, that are mucking up the show....

Not surprising in these hard times, as the MoCo tries to streamline to cut costs... that's what the Board of Directors cares about... profits..



I'm also not surprised they "just gave up" on the hydraulic clutch... look how long it took them to fix: cam tensioners, the compensator, the ABS system, M8 sumping, et al..... and some can convincingly argue those aren't all "fixed" to a proper standard...

The current decision makers didn't have the desire, or any motivation, to spend the time or money to fix it.... after all, it's just about the bottom line....


Just a guess on my part... I'm usually wrong..
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2021 | 04:49 PM
  #40  
danny54's Avatar
danny54
Tourer
10 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 495
Likes: 69
From: naples fl.
Default

I have always liked the cable clutch better, My 2011 ultra was cable fantastic feel ,and super light,


pull My 2016 sgs has hydraulic and the pull and feel are very hard.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:58 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE