2021 cable clutch
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 154
Likes: 41
From: Missouri
I'm still leaning towards the Tranny Fluid Transfer with the new (2017+) M8's and it's new tranny/clutch set up when they first came out, and the touring models with hydro clutches started the transfer but the soft tails with cables didn't. Remember that? A few years into the game, all they did was vent the primary case to stop the pressure differential between the primary and the tranny. Problem masked, but never fixed. What was the big difference between the soft tails and touring that caused the issue to manifest in one but not the other? If they go cable with all of the bikes, problem is nonexistent going forward. Why couldn't the MoCo engineers solve it completely and save the hydros? Who the hell knows........
Is there a difference in the clutch rods or something????
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,683
Likes: 3,977
From: Near Yosemite
Yes, clutch rod was a big part of it. Many many experiments to try something to fix it. ( a million threads in the M8 Section) I owned a 2017 RK right after they came out and gave the MoCo 5 attempts to fix the issue before I made them give me a whole new exact replacement bike. It did it as well along with some other issues. I traded it backwards into a 2014 SGS with 4k miles on it couldn't be happier.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 6,849
Likes: 1,389
From: Florida
I think a lot of you are forgetting that the hydraulic clutch was a possible cause for the oil transfer problem. Maybe a cable clutch was a way to fix this.
After all the softail models (cable clutch) didn't have the issue.
After all the softail models (cable clutch) didn't have the issue.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 6,086
Likes: 6,445
From: East TN
What does your answer have to do with what I posted? 
ALL I know is that the Hydraulic clutch has been around the Harley scene since at least 2006 on CVO Motorcycles. And MOST FOLKS that had them, Loved them.
Then, the MoCo makes them available on standard models years later and recalls, replacements, and then no longer on new models!
YB
ALL I know is that the Hydraulic clutch has been around the Harley scene since at least 2006 on CVO Motorcycles. And MOST FOLKS that had them, Loved them.
Then, the MoCo makes them available on standard models years later and recalls, replacements, and then no longer on new models!
YB
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,683
Likes: 3,977
From: Near Yosemite
I thought it was just a super small percentage of TC's with hydro, like Rushmore's, that had it and nowhere near the amount of fluid transferring that the M8's were having, but transferring nonetheless. Could of happened to cables too, I don't recall hearing that for sure though.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,158
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
Please forgive my bad memory...
Someone on this forum developed a fix that involved drilling/machining the drain hole behind the secondary actuator... or something like that... The thought was the space behind the secondary actuator was too small/had bad drainage, causing the fluid to build up and be pushed along the trans main shaft, along the clutch rod, to the primary... or something along those lines.
He was able to stop his bad transfer. He actually started offering kits where he had an OEM part machined that would fix the issue... Then the "magic" clutch rod was being offered and he stopped his "fix" production.... the clutch rod was almost as effective, cost much less, and was much less work to install..
Anyways... I bring that up to suggest that the band-aide primary vent, was probably in-lieu of a much more expensive design/manufacturing change to properly and permanently fix the fluid transfer issue.... possibly the vent didn't fix all of the transfer issues and many warranty claims were still being made...
Switching back to a clutch cable killed two birds with one stone: It permanently fixed the fluid transfer issue (or at least made it a cost acceptable warranty issue) and will stop all of the complaints about engagement point and lack of adjustment with the hydraulic clutch...
New M8 customers were oblivious to the fluid transfer issues and the possibility of having a sumping issue or they just didn't care... I'll bet the MoCo is betting on the same response to the loss of the hydraulic clutch...
Someone on this forum developed a fix that involved drilling/machining the drain hole behind the secondary actuator... or something like that... The thought was the space behind the secondary actuator was too small/had bad drainage, causing the fluid to build up and be pushed along the trans main shaft, along the clutch rod, to the primary... or something along those lines.
He was able to stop his bad transfer. He actually started offering kits where he had an OEM part machined that would fix the issue... Then the "magic" clutch rod was being offered and he stopped his "fix" production.... the clutch rod was almost as effective, cost much less, and was much less work to install..
Anyways... I bring that up to suggest that the band-aide primary vent, was probably in-lieu of a much more expensive design/manufacturing change to properly and permanently fix the fluid transfer issue.... possibly the vent didn't fix all of the transfer issues and many warranty claims were still being made...
Switching back to a clutch cable killed two birds with one stone: It permanently fixed the fluid transfer issue (or at least made it a cost acceptable warranty issue) and will stop all of the complaints about engagement point and lack of adjustment with the hydraulic clutch...
New M8 customers were oblivious to the fluid transfer issues and the possibility of having a sumping issue or they just didn't care... I'll bet the MoCo is betting on the same response to the loss of the hydraulic clutch...
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,683
Likes: 3,977
From: Near Yosemite
$tonecold was the guy with "The Fix" that involved machine work. I almost rode up to Reno to have him do it to mine but my bike(s) had MoCo inspecting mine too closely for me to feel comfortable with that. I can't remember the other dude with the modified clutch rod though........
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,895
Likes: 1,908
From: East Coast, USA
Someone on this forum developed a fix that involved drilling/machining the drain hole behind the secondary actuator... or something like that... The thought was the space behind the secondary actuator was too small/had bad drainage, causing the fluid to build up and be pushed along the trans main shaft, along the clutch rod, to the primary... or something along those lines.
He was able to stop his bad transfer. He actually started offering kits where he had an OEM part machined that would fix the issue... Then the "magic" clutch rod was being offered and he stopped his "fix" production.... the clutch rod was almost as effective, cost much less, and was much less work to install..
Anyways... I bring that up to suggest that the band-aide primary vent, was probably in-lieu of a much more expensive design/manufacturing change to properly and permanently fix the fluid transfer issue.... possibly the vent didn't fix all of the transfer issues and many warranty claims were still being made...
He was able to stop his bad transfer. He actually started offering kits where he had an OEM part machined that would fix the issue... Then the "magic" clutch rod was being offered and he stopped his "fix" production.... the clutch rod was almost as effective, cost much less, and was much less work to install..
Anyways... I bring that up to suggest that the band-aide primary vent, was probably in-lieu of a much more expensive design/manufacturing change to properly and permanently fix the fluid transfer issue.... possibly the vent didn't fix all of the transfer issues and many warranty claims were still being made...
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,820
Likes: 588
From: Michigan
My 
:
:I think the change back to cable is the eliminate more/future warranty costs.
There were several recalls due to potential/actual hydraulic clutch issues/failures. Those costs took a huge bite out of bottom line profits & needed to be mitigated in future product.
There were several recalls due to potential/actual hydraulic clutch issues/failures. Those costs took a huge bite out of bottom line profits & needed to be mitigated in future product.