Is there a way to modify a clutch lever handle on a 1987 Harley Davidson FXR for less pull pressure? Possibly change the fulcrum point? I already have the factory 40% clutch reduction kit and the weakest clutch diaphram spring and a brand new clutch cable installed. These things helped but not enough.
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Motorcycle clutch lever pressure reduction 3
- Thread starter ricckk
- Start date
MikeHalloran
Mechanical
Something like this:
should help with your problem, if used with a lower force clutch spring.
Unfortunately the site does not make it clear if the part fits your bike. Selecting the button for fit check appears to bring up a list of every model made for each year selected.
Unfortunately the lone 'review' was written by an idiot.
Unfortunately 'technical detail mentions two clutch springs that are stiffer than stock, meaning the copy writer does not understand the purpose of the offered part.
H-D should be embarrassed by the site.
Back to your lever problem:
Post a photo from which we can gauge the lever's proportions, and maybe someone can help.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
should help with your problem, if used with a lower force clutch spring.
Unfortunately the site does not make it clear if the part fits your bike. Selecting the button for fit check appears to bring up a list of every model made for each year selected.
Unfortunately the lone 'review' was written by an idiot.
Unfortunately 'technical detail mentions two clutch springs that are stiffer than stock, meaning the copy writer does not understand the purpose of the offered part.
H-D should be embarrassed by the site.
Back to your lever problem:
Post a photo from which we can gauge the lever's proportions, and maybe someone can help.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
- Thread starter
- #3
- Thread starter
- #4
MikeHalloran
Mechanical
It looks like the cable housing end is fixed, and not free to swivel, so the cable is bent a little as it's pulled. That's a design problem, and not easily solved in a pretty way.
The cable end rotates with the lever just as the lever rotates relative to the bar. If a drop of gun oil on each of those rotating joints improves the handle force temporarily, then better bearings might improve it longer term. There's probably a way to squeeze a needle bearing into the handle pivot, at least.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
The cable end rotates with the lever just as the lever rotates relative to the bar. If a drop of gun oil on each of those rotating joints improves the handle force temporarily, then better bearings might improve it longer term. There's probably a way to squeeze a needle bearing into the handle pivot, at least.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
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1
- #6
MikeHalloran
Mechanical
Speaking of lubrication of creaky joints, have you tried glucosamine? It goes in you, not the bike.
<tangent>
A long time ago, I though about becoming a writer. I figured that someone like Dave Barry had to write about a million words a year to make a living at it. I figured I'd get Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from typing that much, and decided not to do it.
By an odd stroke of fate, I later got into programming microcomputers, and did it pretty heavily for ten years. ... at way more than a million words a year. I got CPS, big time.
Then I got t-boned in a car, and the airbags messed up my wrists even more, and wearing wrist splints for a couple of months made it difficult to move my fingers at all.
As part of the physical therapy for that, I bought a hot wax bucket and dipped my hands and wrists in melted paraffin regularly for a few weeks. Any mild heat source would do, but the paraffin ensures intimate contact and carries enough heat to do some good until it cools enough to peel it off.
Since then, I've been taking daily doses of glucosamine and chondroitin. Generics seem to work as well as the heavily advertised name brands. If I miss a couple days, my hands start to stiffen up.
</tangent>
Talk to your doctor about your wrist.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
<tangent>
A long time ago, I though about becoming a writer. I figured that someone like Dave Barry had to write about a million words a year to make a living at it. I figured I'd get Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from typing that much, and decided not to do it.
By an odd stroke of fate, I later got into programming microcomputers, and did it pretty heavily for ten years. ... at way more than a million words a year. I got CPS, big time.
Then I got t-boned in a car, and the airbags messed up my wrists even more, and wearing wrist splints for a couple of months made it difficult to move my fingers at all.
As part of the physical therapy for that, I bought a hot wax bucket and dipped my hands and wrists in melted paraffin regularly for a few weeks. Any mild heat source would do, but the paraffin ensures intimate contact and carries enough heat to do some good until it cools enough to peel it off.
Since then, I've been taking daily doses of glucosamine and chondroitin. Generics seem to work as well as the heavily advertised name brands. If I miss a couple days, my hands start to stiffen up.
</tangent>
Talk to your doctor about your wrist.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
MikeHalloran
Mechanical
Here's another idea, along the lines of the overcenter clutch assist spring on cars:
Search the jp cycles site for 'power clutch', and at least two different "AMP Research Power Clutch" will come up. I couldn't figure out which fits your bike. Give them a call.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
Search the jp cycles site for 'power clutch', and at least two different "AMP Research Power Clutch" will come up. I couldn't figure out which fits your bike. Give them a call.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
Mike
Along your lines of the heated paraffin, I got pretty good results using capsaicin (pepper) rub. One major down side is you have to be very careful not to touch your eyes (or other sensitive areas). Then I found out about Vitamin D. It has a profound effect on arthritis and joint problems. Now I take 5000 IU daily and my hands are better than they have been in years. I do take glucosamine and chondroitin too but for me they only seem to slow deterioration, not give any relief to existing symptoms.
----------------------------------------
The Help for this program was created in Windows Help format, which depends on a feature that isn't included in this version of Windows.
Along your lines of the heated paraffin, I got pretty good results using capsaicin (pepper) rub. One major down side is you have to be very careful not to touch your eyes (or other sensitive areas). Then I found out about Vitamin D. It has a profound effect on arthritis and joint problems. Now I take 5000 IU daily and my hands are better than they have been in years. I do take glucosamine and chondroitin too but for me they only seem to slow deterioration, not give any relief to existing symptoms.
----------------------------------------
The Help for this program was created in Windows Help format, which depends on a feature that isn't included in this version of Windows.
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2
- Thread starter
- #9
Well I went ahead and ordered a Amp Research Power Clutch p/n 500-409 from J&P Cycles. Its supposed to assist up to 50%. (And I contacted J &P Cycle to check if this part fit my bike and it does) We will see. But with this device and the other 40% reduction device in the tranny case. The pull should be like butter! I hope! I will get back to you and let you know. Mr. Halloran Thank you for your all of your help, really! This problem is rather exceptional. I learned a LONG time ago.. If you want help the real deal.. The smartest guys around are engineers! I REALLY like my bike but if this problem could not be remedied. I,m afraid it would turn into a deal breaker and I would hate to have to sell my bike. Guess i'm just not as strong and invincible as I was when I was younger! Like a good friend told me recently... getting old ain't for sissys! God thats for sure!
- Thread starter
- #10
Well... The Amp Research Power Clutch got here and I installed it. It took 5 min. Works like a charm !!! I love it! It saved me from me having to sell my bike.!! Also I did go see my doctor about my wrist. He said it is a ganglion cyst caused by straining a tendon in my wrist. Nothing to worry about. Thank you everyone for your assistance in helping me fix my problem.
MikeHalloran
Mechanical
I love a happy ending.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
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