clutch
Slipper Clutches Slip During Engaging (incremental engage)
I am using Mobile 1 V-Twin 20w-50 synthetic oil with the Harley-Davidson Synthetic filter (only filter I know of that filters down to 10 microns). That works for me. I hear that if some types of synthetics may make the clutch slip too much but haven't seen that... I do think it is a myth.
My clutch is adjusted so that is most of the clutch lever movement is feathering and the clutch fully engaged when the lever is let all the way out. I didn't set it up but I like it. Slipper clutches feel like they slip because there are a number of friction discs that each grab the next in sequence. Sure you don't have a properly functioning clutch and just think it is slipping?
Hard to get a wheel chirp on a down-shift out of a VRod because of the slipper but also because of the belt drive -- which takes up some of the shock load.
I would suppose there is a way to test the clutch to see if it is correct but I would accelerate maximum through all the gears from 1st on up and try to "feel" for slip. Also in 1st... rolling along at a smooth idle and then throttling hard your front end should literally lift off... I could just feel differently than what you are used to. My brother rides a Honda Shadow and when he rode my VRod a couple things he noticed right off was: 1) When it shifts -- you feel it -- there is no doubt about it; 2) Shifts are smooth.. no wheel chirp... almost like the clutch is slipping -- but it isn't.
My clutch is adjusted so that is most of the clutch lever movement is feathering and the clutch fully engaged when the lever is let all the way out. I didn't set it up but I like it. Slipper clutches feel like they slip because there are a number of friction discs that each grab the next in sequence. Sure you don't have a properly functioning clutch and just think it is slipping?
Hard to get a wheel chirp on a down-shift out of a VRod because of the slipper but also because of the belt drive -- which takes up some of the shock load.
I would suppose there is a way to test the clutch to see if it is correct but I would accelerate maximum through all the gears from 1st on up and try to "feel" for slip. Also in 1st... rolling along at a smooth idle and then throttling hard your front end should literally lift off... I could just feel differently than what you are used to. My brother rides a Honda Shadow and when he rode my VRod a couple things he noticed right off was: 1) When it shifts -- you feel it -- there is no doubt about it; 2) Shifts are smooth.. no wheel chirp... almost like the clutch is slipping -- but it isn't.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 183
Likes: 7
From: Western NY
Something put together wrong!! I have installed stock and AIM and slipper with my turbo and only had clutch slip with the stock and AIM with stock springs slip at around 185 rear wheel HP. Since installing the Slipper no slippage problems.
Got something installed wrong is my guess. Did you disassemble the clutch assembly before installing? Why did you rebuild the master and slave something may be wrong there?
I have had mine not disengage if i dont purge the DOT 5 fluid. Let it ago for 2 years and had to purge it. This year going to go to DOT 4 suppose to last longer without absorbing moisture like DOT 5.
Dennis
Got something installed wrong is my guess. Did you disassemble the clutch assembly before installing? Why did you rebuild the master and slave something may be wrong there?
I have had mine not disengage if i dont purge the DOT 5 fluid. Let it ago for 2 years and had to purge it. This year going to go to DOT 4 suppose to last longer without absorbing moisture like DOT 5.
Dennis
Last edited by usturbine; Oct 18, 2013 at 09:53 PM.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: sull county ny
Something put together wrong!! I have installed stock and AIM and slipper with my turbo and only had clutch slip with the stock and AIM with stock springs slip at around 185 rear wheel HP. Since installing the Slipper no slippage problems.
Got something installed wrong is my guess. Did you disassemble the clutch assembly before installing? Why did you rebuild the master and slave something may be wrong there?
I have had mine not disengage if i dont purge the DOT 5 fluid. Let it ago for 2 years and had to purge it. This year going to go to DOT 4 suppose to last longer without absorbing moisture like DOT 5.
Dennis
Got something installed wrong is my guess. Did you disassemble the clutch assembly before installing? Why did you rebuild the master and slave something may be wrong there?
I have had mine not disengage if i dont purge the DOT 5 fluid. Let it ago for 2 years and had to purge it. This year going to go to DOT 4 suppose to last longer without absorbing moisture like DOT 5.
Dennis
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 39
From: LOST WAGES
Some aftermarket levers caused clutches to slip due to not allowing the master cylinder to fully release.
Hi Dennis, I think you have your brake fluid backwards. DOT 5 (not 5.1) is silicon based and does not absorb moisture. DOT 4 which is the same as DOT 3 (both are glycol ether based)but has a higher boiling point, and absorbs moisture.
Hi Dennis, I think you have your brake fluid backwards. DOT 5 (not 5.1) is silicon based and does not absorb moisture. DOT 4 which is the same as DOT 3 (both are glycol ether based)but has a higher boiling point, and absorbs moisture.
Last edited by Hal64hd; Oct 21, 2013 at 05:24 AM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 183
Likes: 7
From: Western NY
Wrench
did you get your clutch issue resolved? Curious what you found?
Hal
Yes probably have my facts wrong. After a couple years if I don't purge the DOT 5 my clutch will not fully disengage and gets real grabby. It usually happens after sitting thru the winter when I don't ride it. I have a home made pressure setup that purges all the old DOT 5 and everything is fine.
I was reading articles about it and they said just purge the DOT 5 with DOT 4 and the problem with DOT 5 goes away. Steve said that was the way to go. Haven't tried it yet but will probably do it in the spring. Thanks for correcting me if my statement was wrong. I don't want to give out incorrect info to anyone.
Hope your doing ok and will hopefully see you in March when the new Granddaughter arrives!!!
Dennis
did you get your clutch issue resolved? Curious what you found?
Hal
Yes probably have my facts wrong. After a couple years if I don't purge the DOT 5 my clutch will not fully disengage and gets real grabby. It usually happens after sitting thru the winter when I don't ride it. I have a home made pressure setup that purges all the old DOT 5 and everything is fine.
I was reading articles about it and they said just purge the DOT 5 with DOT 4 and the problem with DOT 5 goes away. Steve said that was the way to go. Haven't tried it yet but will probably do it in the spring. Thanks for correcting me if my statement was wrong. I don't want to give out incorrect info to anyone.
Hope your doing ok and will hopefully see you in March when the new Granddaughter arrives!!!
Dennis
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Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: sull county ny
clutch
no I didn't I have it all apart again, do you know if the springs in the back of the clutch basket are supposed to be loose and float around and I see ridges in the basket where the disks ride I wonder if that might be the problem.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 183
Likes: 7
From: Western NY
If the springs are loose then it looks like there is something not assembled correctly. The four bolts that hold the springs in place also put tension on the plates to keep the plates engaged. When you originally installed it it should have already been bolted together and just slipped into the clutch basket. You may have had to loosen the 4 bolts to remove spring tension to allow alignment of the plates and the shaft splines but that's it.
I know that if the clutch basket falls off the inner hub it has an alignment key and you have to us a small drill bit to relocate and then hold it into position. I think it is addressed in the maintenance manual. I didn't check sorry.
I have attached an exploded view of the slipper clutch. Hope this helps.
Dennis