Having done a LOT of drag racing in my past with BIG horsepower cars, I can tell you with some authority that, unless the Harley clutches are barely adequate for the stock power output of their bikes (there's absolutely no evidence of this), you'd have to increase your hp/tq output by a fairly significant amount (more than an intake, exhaust, and tuner would give you) before you'd need to upgrade your clutch. I don't for one second believe you need to upgrade any portion of your clutch simply because you add a SE intake, Power Commander, or both and my experience with my '07 Fat Boy proves this. I added a SE Stage I, Samson full exhaust system, and Power Commander to it, never upgraded the clutch in any way, and never had any problems. I'm certain the vast majority of the tens of thousands of Power Commander users have had the same experience, i.e., no clutch upgrades and no problems.

Now if you're launching from those traffic lights at 5000-7000 rpm, well, then a clutch upgrade is probably in order even at stock hp/tq levels.

 

I want to bring your attention to some posts about Dealers screwing up the clutch adjustment at the 1000 or 5000 mile service. Quit a few people here posted complaints about the clutch feeling better before they brought it in for service and a couple even reported turning around and riding right back to the service department for them to fix it right away.

A poorly adjust clutch will wear quicker than you can wipe dog sh*t off your shoe.

 

My information comes from my mechanic telling me they have been replacing a lot of clutches on 96" motors running Power Commanders due to the lighter clutch spring HD now uses. He said they always recommend using the heavy spring on any PCIII install.

On another note: Dynojet's map fried my Black Fatcat due to an extremely lean map. The paint actually cracked and flake off the collector and scorched/stained the tins. There is no substitute for a proper tune and canned maps only get you close and can cause damage to your engine. IMO, every bike needs its own A/F tune, not some chart posted on a website that was from one bike in particular and from an 07 model. All FuelMoto has done is added the text "2008" to their 2007 dyno chart. Two completely different throttle bodies due to fly-by-wire.

 

I have a 2007 Street Glide and at about 15000 miles I was having some clutch drag, some engine stumble at idle when warmed up and some excess clanking of the transmission when shifting. I pulled the derby cover and followed the shop manual directions for clutch adjustment, buttoned her up and went for a ride.
Wow what a difference! It felt like it was new again, quiet, steady idle and smoooooooth.
I won't wait for regular service intervals anymore. If I notice any of the symptoms in the future, I won't hesitate to follow the easy to do steps and adjust the clutch myself.

 

In the past, the Harley Clutches were one of the few over-engineered items on the bike. I know of several guys, some with stock engines and some with 95" kits, that have gone over 50,000 + miles on the original clutch. I even know one gentleman that has over 100,000 miles on the original clutch. So yea, 10,000 miles and under on a clutch is a problem. Unless,,, the new model clutches are coming out of China! [sm=americanasmiley.gif]

 

What would be the normal expectation of millage on a well maintained and properly run clutch. I have an 06 Street Glide (do not know if I have heavy springs or not).

 

i highly doubt that. there are many high power builds out there that are still using stock clutches with no problems.

 

Ok, here's the final (I hope) update on this situation. After making at least 6 phone calls, as well as calling HD customer service in Milwaukee, Joe C., the Service Manager for Central Texas Harley Davidson called me back and said they would waive the charge on the clutch repair. He again stated that it was a wearable item, and there's no way the 5K service could have caused it. Iwas pleased to hear it would be covered under warranty.

In my opinion, CTHD still has a way to go to improve it's customer service.Joe seems like a decent guy, and so do most of the other folks there, but there does not seem to be a management focus oncustomer satisfaction.Guys like us spend a lot of money on our bikes, and we demand to get what we paid for, nothing more. I had asked twice to speak with the GM Scott W. to voice my concerns, but apparently he is too busy to call me back, so I will list them here:

[ul][*]Your voice mail system needs work. When you are transferred to an extension, the message says; "the party you called is not accepting messages at this time. You will now be disconnected. Goodbye." This happened to me twice, on two separate extensions. WTF! I know, it's a new building, with new phone systems, but you need to test.[*]The automated phone system for the store on Howard lanes states the service department is open on Monday, when in fact it is not. I drove down there for nothing. Ok, there's signs all over the place saying they are closed. I missed them on Sat, my bad. But change your phone system.[*]Sometimes you have to spend a little money to keep a customer happy. That's just business. Sometimes the customer is not always right, but that's part of doing business as well. You should always weigh the cost of keeping the customer happy vs. the advertising cost it would take to attract another customer with the same level of spending.[*]If you're ever sitting on the fence about a customer situation, always side with the customer. [/ul]
That's it, I'm done whining.