Topic: Hydraulic Clutch Conversion (search resulted in semi-failure)

[Lostboy Steve]

I did a little searching and I see that this has been done on a few different models, however most of the threads are old and the pictures no longer work. I've never felt a hydro clutch on a bike. Is the pull significantly easier? I have pretty bad problems with my clutch hand after a short ride and I need to try something. After installing a new clutch with HD springs the clutch got pretty tough. It was never truly easy though. Its smooth and works well, but in the words of a friend it is a "bear".

[thep1pe]

Good question. I too would like to fit hydraulic clutch to my 550F. Old wrist injury makes it hard to operate and get arm pump same as GP rider. 

[bjbuchanan]

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=79644.0

http://www.google.com/cse?cx=partner-pub-9323359806520211%3A1305160748&ie=UTF-8&q=hydraulic+clutch+conversion&sa=Search&siteurl=forums.sohc4.net%2Findex.php&ref=&ss=5833j1575475j29#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=hydraulic%20clutch%20conversion&gsc.page=1

I know there was a guy with a for sale thread that had one he hooked up. Your best bet is to check the links, look at the project section ones where guys made it and didn't talk a whole lot about it

[seanbarney41]

member Godfrey has been doing them lately.  I'd pm him.  I can't remember the name of his shop/website.

[bjbuchanan]

the site is vin-moto something... I just search his name to snag the link from his signature and jump off from there

[Garage_guy_chris]

Magura makes kits for dirt bikes and apparently street bikes now too.  I have a KTM dirt bike and the hydro clutch is ALOT nicer than a cable clutch, effort is almost nothing. 

http://www.magura.com/en/powersports/products/80-2012/clutches.html

I have thought about doing something on my 450 as its a push clutch and the side cover is almost pre-setup to machine an adapter and whip something up using something like VFR800 bits.  I havent looked to closely at the 750 but it appears to be a pull clutch and the actuator rods and outer cover looks harder to deal with.

[Lostboy Steve]

Yeah, I was looking at the Magura kits. Too bad I cant make one that matches the stock master, Or can I? Man I just gave myself an idea that will most likely end any freetime I have. Anyway does anyone have any pics of a setup on a 550?

[KRONUS0100]

currently on hold on this for my 750f.  i need a 6x6 inch chunk of 1 inch aluminum to make the slave cylinder mount.  all the rest of it is waiting on that chunk of aluminum
the clutch is waaaaaaaay easier to operate with hydro pressure.

[brewsky]

Any thought about increasing length of the actuator arm, or using another perch with a smaller radius?
Either one would ease the effort.

There seems to be plenty of excess travel available.

Maybe its just me, but I prefer the direct feel of a cable clutch over hydraulic.

[bjbuchanan]

I like the idea of tweaking a clutch perch to change effort but I don't believe I have access to anything  to do that.

[Lostboy Steve]

Any thought about increasing length of the actuator arm, or using another perch with a smaller radius?
Either one would ease the effort.

There seems to be plenty of excess travel available.

Maybe its just me, but I prefer the direct feel of a cable clutch over hydraulic.

I agree with you. However my left hand/wrist doesn't agree with both of us. 

[Lostboy Steve]

currently on hold on this for my 750f.  i need a 6x6 inch chunk of 1 inch aluminum to make the slave cylinder mount.  all the rest of it is waiting on that chunk of aluminum
the clutch is waaaaaaaay easier to operate with hydro pressure.

So whats your game plan? You want to machine a whole master out of that block to match the brake master? I know a really good machinist, but I don't feel like it will be cost effective to do it this way. Then again, I'd really like to retain the stock lever. Maybe I could come up with some sort of Leonardo Davinci pulley system to ease the effort required.

[Lostboy Steve]

On another note, all these #$%*ty ebay kits are making me want to try to fit one on my z50 drums. Hydraulic drums my friends.... hydraulic drums. On a streetbike, dangerous as hell im sure, on a z50, FUN!

[brewsky]

I just checked my 750......fair amount of effort required.

550......easy-peasy!

When I replaced the plates on my 750, I ended up mixing 76 and 78 model parts together, and the effort was un-bearable! Took it back apart and re-installed with correct parts, and it was much better.........but still not as easy as my 550.

Unless you "need" heavy duty springs, might be advisable to go back to stock springs.

Cleaning, lubeing and making sure the cable routing is not sharp will also help reduce effort quite a bit.

Harley made some kind of easy-clutch actuator at one time for cable clutches, but I don't remember the details right now.

I'm all for the reduced effort, as my hand cramps up too.....

[Duke McDukiedook]

Yeah, heavy springs on a clutch on these 750s are a no-no unless you are the uncredible hulk or a hairy-palmed pervo.

[vrm]

currently on hold on this for my 750f.  i need a 6x6 inch chunk of 1 inch aluminum to make the slave cylinder mount.  all the rest of it is waiting on that chunk of aluminum
the clutch is waaaaaaaay easier to operate with hydro pressure.

I live near an aircraft surplus yard that has chunks of aluminum like that. Would you like me to check it out. I'll get it and ship to to you for cost if you want.

[bjbuchanan]

Member babyfood1217 had/has a hydraulic clutch for sale. You could try pm'ing him, it was a couple months old but as far as I know no one bought the clutch