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SE clutch spring question

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Old Jul 19, 2010 | 08:26 AM
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WILLETTS's Avatar
WILLETTS
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Default SE clutch spring question

Cannot get rid of clutch slippage when hard on the throttle, not extreme but can feel it. Have tried adjusting several times. Want to try the SE spring to see if it helps,cheap upgrade. IS it called the diaphragm spring ?
 
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Old Jul 19, 2010 | 08:36 AM
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Sounds like you will be needing one of these evenually too.

Screamin' EagleŽ Big Twin Compensator

http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
 
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Old Jul 19, 2010 | 09:07 AM
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1931jamesw
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Yes, it is called a diaphragm spring. You may need new plates also. They make them that have more friction area and hold up to 125 lb./Ft. of torque. I think it's part number 37969-03A for the SE performance clutch kit.
 

Last edited by 1931jamesw; Jul 19, 2010 at 09:14 AM.
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Old Jul 19, 2010 | 09:07 AM
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Will this help my slippage problem? My bike has a stage 1
 
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Old Jul 19, 2010 | 09:20 AM
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stafford
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Willet it helped my slippage after my cams and big bore kit. It's a little harder to squeeze the clutch but nothing to worry about.Easily installed
 
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Old Jul 19, 2010 | 09:20 AM
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1931jamesw
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You shouldn't need either of the parts mentioned above with only a stage 1. How many miles are on the bike? If you are absolutely positive it's slipping, the clutch plates may be worn out.
 
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Old Jul 19, 2010 | 09:27 AM
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Its only got 15000 miles. Like I said it only slips in the higher gears when I put a load on it . I have adjusted several times. I'll try and adjust again. Cant believe the plates are worn already. Granted I did buy the bike second hand so not sure how it was ridden. But I do know most of the miles have been highway miles. Long highway miles, from NY to fla and NY to canada a few times.
 
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Old Jul 19, 2010 | 09:55 AM
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I have the same problem and it may be the feel of the longer friction Band. The spring on these 96s are soft enough that they have a longer, or feels like a longer friction band. When I let out enough clutch to what feels like the clutch being fully engaged, I add some throttle and get some unexpected clutch slip just before I let the last bit of clutch out. At first I thought it was my tire spinning on sand or something. But as I played with it, I found I wasn’t letting all the clutch out. The clutch almost feels like it has two steps of engagement to me and has taken me a while to get use to this clutch compared to my 2002 RKC. I like the easier pressure of this clutch, but I want a shorter friction band like I had on my 02.

Beary
 
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Old Jul 19, 2010 | 11:05 AM
  #9  
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mongomark
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A good compromise spring is the earlier big twin spring that was stock on 04 and earlier big twin bikes. Spring pressure is right in the middle between the stock easy pull on the 07's and the SE spring. My clutch was slipping at full throttle and I went with the VPC clutch and since this setup is centrifugal and the added pressure really doesn't start to come on until after 2500-3000 rpm, clutch application was a little soft off the line. I went with a stock 03 big twin spring with new clutch discs and problem solved. Clutch application off the line is great, and the clutch pull at the handle isn't bad at all. In my case with the VPC adding additional pressure above 2500 rpms, I have no problems at higher speeds either.
 
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Old Jul 19, 2010 | 12:34 PM
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What year-model is your bike, as stock clutch specs vary. The SE spring may be overkill in that it will increase lever tension considerably compared to a TC96 spring and you may not need to go this far.

Mine is an '07 with the weakest stock spring in recent HD history and I have no slippage problems even with SE255 cams installed. Thus, I have not been inclined to change the spring. If you are having problems with a stock engine I would suggest double-checking adjustment, at the cable and also at the clutch, and don't use synthetic oil in the primary. Try switching to ATF Type F along with a good adjustment on both ends and your slippage may go away.

Here's a list of some springs with some tension specs. Some who've done the Stage II upgrade (103 with cams) have used the 37871-98A spring and found that it works well.

37882-06 (117 KgF) 2006-88”, 2007 thru 2010-96”
37871-04 (135 KgF) 2004-05 88” and 2010 Limited
37871-98A (145 KgF) 1998-2003
37871-98 is reportedly the same as above except cheaper, but although is no longer available may still be in dealer inventories.
37807-03 (165 KgF) 2007 thru 2010-103 ”Police"
37951-98 (175 KgF) Current SE
 

Last edited by iclick; Jul 19, 2010 at 12:49 PM.
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