Topic: Hydraulic clutch conversion for the mono shock dragbike. Will it work??

[dragracer]

I've decided to try something a little different fir the clutch set up on the mono shock dragbike. I saw something on a SOHC group post on Facebook regarding the use of a universal type hydraulic clutch kit on a 750. While the poster wasn't detailed on his installation there were a few pictures that graphically showed the basics.  Mind you i have not searched our forum yet to see if   someone here has already done the conversion. I searched Ebay and Amazon for a complete kit and found one for less than  $50. It included the handlebar mounted clutch master cylinder, a slave unit with fittings and a plastic covered braided steel hydraulic line. There was also a matching brake master cylinder.  Both had adjustable positions for the levers along with appropriate switches. I grabbed a stock clutch cover to see how the slave cylinder could be positioned to pull the stock Honda lever on the cover.  The slave unit is threaded on the end with the pull rod which is also threaded for a ball type clevis. The clevis slipped right into place of the cable end perfected but the thread diameter of the slave unit was small than the opening on the clutch cover housing. I decided to try putting a stock adjuster from an old cable onto the slave unit and i was pleasantly surprised that the thread pitch was the same, allowing the identical adjustments we'd utilize with a stock cable. Wow!!! At the moment i have not put the cover on an engine with the full stock clutch and springs inside. I  plan to mock everything up when i get time and add fluid to the system to do a bench test. My main concern is will the little slave cylinder have sufficient pulling capacity to move the stock lever with heavy duty clutch springs. To be on the safe side, i researched Amazon for a slave cylinder that has a larger piston. This one is 14mm. I bought a larger one for $25 that has a 19mm piston. I'll swap the bigger one as I'm setting everything up and hope for the best. My main purpose here is to reduce lever effort and eliminate moving parts. My brother is having some issues with the current lever so I'm trying to make itveasuer for him without compromising the use of the heavier clutch springs.  I'll let you know how it goes

[scottly]

There are posts here regarding hydraulic clutch conversions, Frank.

[scottly]

Here's a good one:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,91128.msg1018370.html#msg1018370

[dragracer]

There are posts here regarding hydraulic clutch conversions, Frank.

I figured it had already been done at some point. I'll probably delete my post then since likely won't be contributing anything to help the group. I should have searched first. 😅🤣

[dusterdude]

Keep posting frank,we are interested

Sent from my SM-G973U1 using Tapatalk

[newday777]

There are posts here regarding hydraulic clutch conversions, Frank.

I figured it had already been done at some point. I'll probably delete my post then since likely won't be contributing anything to help the group. I should have searched first. 😅🤣

Oh don't delete it! It can be helpful to anyone thinking of doing it to their bike, besides you are using a pull slave without major modifications to the original clutch cover working design as apposed to the push slave of the link. I'm interested in this style to be able to make clutch adjustments as necessary.

[RAFster122s]

Hasn't Godfrey's Garage done one or two hydraulic clutches, seem to recall photos... Maybe reach out to Mark...if he has experience with them he could be of help guiding you if you encounter an issue he has overcame with one...

[Leino]

TLR has a hydraulic clutch and when it comes to launching a bike it's absolutely useless compared to a cable operated clutch. If hydraulic clutch was better I think guys at Speedway GP would have one as they are the second hardest launching motorcycle racers I can think of. No feedback at all at the lever.

[Leino]

My opinion, yours may be different 

[MRieck]

My opinion, yours may be different 

Haven't you gone the 1/4 mile a couple of times? I can't remember.

[dragracer]

90% of the weekend warriors that drag race modern bikes are factory equipped with hydraulic clutches. They even use them with mallet magnet releases off  a button and a 2 step. Many are set up with Gen 2 MTC multistage clutches. I'm not certain this style slave systems will release quick enough but i want to give it a shot since it requires no machining thus far and it was cheap. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I'll report back as this progresses. Its not a must do project at the moment so I'll pick at it when nothing else is important. I'm hopefully it will work as intended.

[Tracksnblades1]

90% of the weekend warriors that drag race modern bikes are factory equipped with hydraulic clutches. They even use them with mallet magnet releases off  a button and a 2 step. Many are set up with Gen 2 MTC multistage clutches. I'm not certain this style slave systems will release quick enough but i want to give it a shot since it requires no machining thus far and it was cheap. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I'll report back as this progresses. Its not a must do project at the moment so I'll pick at it when nothing else is important. I'm hopefully it will work as intended.

I’m betting your the guy that’ll definitely get her (hydraulic clutch) dialed in…

[Leino]

90% of the weekend warriors that drag race modern bikes are factory equipped with hydraulic clutches. They even use them with mallet magnet releases off  a button and a 2 step. Many are set up with Gen 2 MTC multistage clutches. I'm not certain this style slave systems will release quick enough but i want to give it a shot since it requires no machining thus far and it was cheap. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I'll report back as this progresses. Its not a must do project at the moment so I'll pick at it when nothing else is important. I'm hopefully it will work as intended.

You are absolutely right, I'm oldskool 
To me a modern bike is not early 80's 

[Leino]

My opinion, yours may be different 

Haven't you gone the 1/4 mile a couple of times? I can't remember.

I tried it a couple of times without much success but yes, you have a good memory 

[dragracer]

My opinion, yours may be different 

Haven't you gone the 1/4 mile a couple of times? I can't remember.

I tried it a couple of times without much success but yes, you have a good memory 

I've been trying it for years and I'm still not worth a damn at the sport!!!

[MRieck]

My opinion, yours may be different 

Haven't you gone the 1/4 mile a couple of times? I can't remember.

I tried it a couple of times without much success but yes, you have a good memory 

I've been trying it for years and I'm still not worth a damn at the sport!!!

When I look at somebody drag racing a bike I look to see how comfortable ( which is a product of experience) on that bike. Frank.....you look like you've been riding that F since you were 10 years old. You look loose but ready to pounce. I used to see that in Stetson.....you could tell he has thrown a leg over his bike a million times.

[spotty]

ive got all the same parts to do mine, but i'm using a vmax m/c. i shall be following along to see how it goes. good luck

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

My opinion, yours may be different 

Haven't you gone the 1/4 mile a couple of times? I can't remember.

I tried it a couple of times without much success but yes, you have a good memory 

Frank is just a little modest
I've been trying it for years and I'm still not worth a damn at the sport!!!

When I look at somebody drag racing a bike I look to see how comfortable ( which is a product of experience) on that bike. Frank.....you look like you've been riding that F since you were 10 years old. You look loose but ready to pounce. I used to see that in Stetson.....you could tell he has thrown a leg over his bike a million times.

[PeWe]

To me a modern bike is not early 80's 

Ha, ha, ha....
I am still in the 80's as modern bikes.
When I saw the beautiful CB1100F -83 with round headlight and no fairing, a newer bike, almost modern.

Maybe the real "modern" bikes have fuel injection and well working brakes, ABS. No wires at all, "throttle by wire" means no wire... Same with clutch.
Next step, ride modes.....

[MisterKnife]

I'm using a hayabusa master clutch and a slave cylinder for my CB550, works like a charm!

[MRieck]

I'd love to have a hydraulic clutch on my bike....I need a lot of spring for my engine. It's getting hard to work the older I get.

[dragracer]

The one potential draw back for me as a dragracer is the release speed, and full engagement of the clutch. I'm still trying to utilize the stock cover with components as factory designed. Basically I'm only  eliminating the stock mechanical clutch lever and cable. Using the pull type slave cylinder in this kit,  there could be a mechanical disadvantage versus a slave cylinder pushing directly against the lifter plate. I'm also trying to make this as simple as possible without having one off components by utilization of an easily attainable kit from either Amazon or ebay. I may get lucky and it works out perfectly for me and other home mechanics interested in an easier clutch lever pull when using medium to heavy duty springs for larger than stock engines.

[dragracer]

I think i mentioned this in my opening post, but the kit has adjustable levers. This can become an important factor for me when racing because i can taylor my lever release position with the actual initial clutch engagement/movement of the  bike to help with rider reaction times.  There's no advantage to having that lever against the bars if the release point is at the end of travel.

[PeWe]

I'd love to have a hydraulic clutch on my bike....I need a lot of spring for my engine. It's getting hard to work the older I get.

My K6 has the harder Barnett springs. Middle number -66-. Slips with -56-.
Dog leg style lever helped. The finger torturing clutch. Teflon spray in cable.

Much nicer feel for brake too. Nicer shape/profile.
My K2 got also a set. Vintagecb750 has.
Here stock clutch lever under to show  the difference.

[Don R]

 I'm thinking I accidentally put valve springs in the late clutch in my Rat Race bike. L0L! Dang they're hard on an old worn out hand.