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1st December 2022
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Biker
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Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: northern Maine
Posts: 15 Sportster/Buell Model: xls Sportster/Buell Year: 1979
Reputation: 10

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ironhead oil pump pressure
I have a 1979 XLS that I have ridden and wrenched on for 32 years and since I am getting older I am looking at putting a hydraulic clutch booster on the hydro clutch. My problem is if there is enough oil pressure at the pump to run the FeatherLever unit. I put a rocker box pressure gauge on several years ago and with a cold engine it would max out(30lbs) but when hot it idled at 8 to 10 pounds. I have never put a gauge on the pump output so I am wondering if anyone has any idea if the pump pressure when hot will be near the 30 pound level that I need?
I have all the fittings and parts but the bike is in the cellar for the winter and I can't run it to test and I have lost the gauge. If any of the skilled mechanics on this site think there will enough pressure I can install the unit and be ready to ride when the snow goes away.
The forum has been a valuable resource over the years and I thank you all for that..
Happy Solstice
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1st December 2022
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XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
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Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Sportster/Buell Model: Ironhead XLH Sportster Sportster/Buell Year: 1978 Sportster/Buell Model #2: Ironhead XLT Sportster Sportster/Buell Year #2: 1977 Other Motorcycle Model: Honda CBX 1000 Other Motorcycle Year: 1979
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The Sportster oil pump is all about volume and not pressure. I doubt you'll see much more than 10 psi, if that, when the engine is hot.
Eric
__________________
1978 Anniversary Edition XLH. Wiseco 10:1 forged pistons, Andrews R5 cams, dual plugged heads with Super Port Flow, single fire ignition, Mikuni Solex 36 PHH carb, Jagg oil cooler, '73 gauges, kickstart, Barnett kevlar clutch, Progressive front springs, Hagon Nitro shocks, all-Andrews tranny. 1977 XLT, Mikuni Solex 36 PHH carb, tapered dual exhausts, Andrews Y cams, Progressive front springs, Hagon Nitro shocks.
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1st December 2022
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Biker
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Hammond Louisiana
Posts: 96 Sportster/Buell Model: 1978 ironhead sportster Sportster/Buell Year: 1978 Other Motorcycle Model: 81 fxe lowrider
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The oil pump is not goanna make but 8/10 lbs. when hot. So what you can do is get a hydraulic set up and try that https://www.ebay.com/itm/25394634532...3ABFBMmrSb_Jlh
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1st December 2022
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XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: On a farm
Posts: 7,238 Sportster/Buell Model: XL77.2R Sportster/Buell Year: 2006
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Isn't those Feather Lever work with already equip Hydraulic clutch and just act as a booster???
Sportster have a mechanical clutch and you'll miss some parts to make it work.
I have a Custom Chrome Clutchlite XXLite and I can pull my clutch in with two finger.
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1st December 2022
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Senior Master Custom Bike Builder
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pottstown PA.
Posts: 15,974 Sportster/Buell Model: XLCH stroker Sportster/Buell Year: 1960 Sportster/Buell Model #2: 883 C Sportster/Buell Year #2: '03
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oil pressure is listed in the factory service manual.15 psi hot at 60 mph.
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1st December 2022
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Senior Master Custom Bike Builder
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pottstown PA.
Posts: 15,974 Sportster/Buell Model: XLCH stroker Sportster/Buell Year: 1960 Sportster/Buell Model #2: 883 C Sportster/Buell Year #2: '03
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post #1 mentions he has added the hydraulic clutch and wants to boost that with the feather lever.have you seen the price on those??
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2nd December 2022
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XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: On a farm
Posts: 7,238 Sportster/Buell Model: XL77.2R Sportster/Buell Year: 2006
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If it's a booster pump, just about any feeding pressure will be OK.
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2nd December 2022
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XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 11,269 Sportster/Buell Model: 1200s Sportster/Buell Year: 2001 Sportster/Buell Model #2: xlch Sportster/Buell Year #2: 1974
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can you make it work, well, hummmmm
sure you can but will it be pretty??????
it is all about surface area and available pressure. if the slave is large enough, even 1 psi would do the job.
there are hyd calculators out there that can help crunch the numbers, just need to know the spring pressure to over come.
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3rd December 2022
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XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Sunshine Coast
Posts: 8,702 Sportster/Buell Model: XLB, XLCH, Sporton Sportster/Buell Year: 1962 Sportster/Buell Model #2: XLCH Sportster/Buell Year #2: 1966 Other Motorcycle Model: XLCH (Another one) Other Motorcycle Year: 1966
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Quote:
I am looking at putting a hydraulic clutch booster on the hydro clutch.
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Wait. What ?
Do you already have a hydro clutch and want to add a booster to that ?
If that's the case you need the services of a good sports physio. Ask at your gym, they will have one.
Alternatively, Honda mad a 750 Automatic back in the 70's. Might need to check them out.
__________________
"I know only too well the evil that I propose. But my inclinations get the better of me."
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3rd December 2022
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Biker
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Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: northern Maine
Posts: 15 Sportster/Buell Model: xls Sportster/Buell Year: 1979
Reputation: 10

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Thanks for the replies - The reasons for the booster on the hydroclutch are due to nerve damage from chemotherapy and arthritis with carpal tunnel syndrome from old age. The hydraulic clutch is a big improvement but in traffic I have to stop once and awhile to rest both hands. I don't think it is going to work but anything to keep riding so I will keep on.
The bike has about two hundred thousand miles on it so the ugly of the featherlever unit isn't going to hurt the function the only original parts are the frame, cases and wheels.
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