Good thread!

I've have a "stiff" clutch lever on my '86 Tour Glide and have had the same hand fatigue.

Last Friday the clutch cable gave out on me. I was lucky as I was setting one light away from home I pulled the clutch in and felt strand after strand tear loose I grabbed the front brake hard to keep the bike from rolling into the intersection. As I left the light and shifted it was obvious the cable had stretched and was not being effective to disengage the clutch. I made it home and realized the only way to stop was to turn her off and brake, still in gear.

Next day I pulled the cable and it was hanging literally on 2 threads of the cable. I thought it was lucky to get her home!.

Found a new cable for $35 and said to myself that hopefully this will cure the "tug" it is to clutch. NOPE! still has the same hard pull.

I need to open the derby cover and do a full adjust on the clutch but I don't think this will give me any freer feeling to clutching.

And my clutch is in good shape otherwise.

So I'm looking at these items too hoping to get rid of the cramped hand feel after several miles of clutching. City driving sucks when setting at a light and holding down the lever for any length of time.

 

I just looked it what I bought and it was the Muller Power Clutch from Drag Specialties. For the XL, the PN is 1130-0004. The problem is is that the cheapest price I found was from Phat Performance for $160.

http://www.dragspecialties.com/part/...ds[]=66260

http://www.phatperformanceparts.com/...Code=1130-0004

 

All Sporties built after 2004 come with the ball-ramp assembly installed. The tech that worked on your bike did not adjust the clutch properly. Using a SE clutch pack will make it harder to pull because of the stronger diaphram spring. Search YouTube for "how to adjust a Sportster clutch". When you turn the adjusting screw (at the clutch) hold the clutch leaver in. This will make it easier to feel the "resistance" of the screw.

 

Was at the parts store a few hours ago and looked at these ... Well, not for my bike. Being an '86 5spd the clutch cable is connected in a whole different way. Guess I could rebuild the clutch with easy release components, or get the assist hand lever.

Have to look into other avenues for me.


Oops this is the sportster forum ... sorry guys, thought it was general chat.

 

Haha! That is no problem. Still, keep us informed on what you do...I am very curious at this point.



Tomorrow, I'll try to get the bike into the shop to see if they have a stock cable handy to replace this one with. I'm almost certain it is part of the big problem. It does seem to catch a lot and not pull smoothly...so, I'll try doing that and see what kind of difference it makes.

 

UPDATE:

I went into the Harley shop today and apparently, everything was perfect with the clutch cable. However, I did go ahead and purchase the Muller easy clutch system and had it installed in under 30 minutes. This has now brought me to a new problem...the clutch is too light! Haha! I can literally bring the whole clutch in with my pinky. It's awesome.

While I was there, they did readjust the clutch, so everything is working great. Even when I pull the clutch slowly, I no longer notice the jerky feel it had before. I am quite pleased.

Thanks for the help, guys!

 

Awesome. Great news. Enjoy the bike.

 

Oh, I will! I'm glad I can ride it carefree now! Trust me, I took it on a nice ride around town after install. It is SO wonderful!

 

It's good to hear how much easier your clutching is now.

Seems the 1986 Evo (on an FLTC) is excluded due to the location of the clutch cable and components.

Haven't found any "EASY" answer for my issue short of rebuilding the clutch.

 

I don't think the clutch is that bad at all. I have the stock clutch on the C and an SE clutch on the XL50 and both are not bad. Sure now and then in traffic my hand gets tired, But I love the feel of a firm clutch so it's worth it to me. It will get better the mote you use it as your hand will get stronger.