tight clutch is killing my left hand! please help!

[rokpunk]

I'm not a little girly-man, but after a weekend of 500+ mile riding, my left hand is KILLING me this morning. I think this is what arthritis feels like. I have never felt a clutch as tight as the one on my '01. Although I don't know exactly what clutch I have on my bike, when I bought it, I was told it was a "high performance" clutch. I have already tried the EZ Clutch thing, and it helps a bit, but not nearly enough.

I read the thread about the Magura hydraulic clutch, and that seems decent, but a bit spendy. Can anyone recommend a solution that isn't quite so expensive? At this point it might be worth it to go with the hydraulic one, but I figured I'd ask here before I plop down all that cash.

When I say my clutch is tight, I'm talkin' tight as a <insert nun joke here>.

[dwardy]

You could try replacing it with a stock setup.

[xena]

Have you lubricated it recently? Ok that didn't sound so good but seriously, I shot mine with some marvel mystery spray lubricant (not to be confused with mystery oil) and what a difference. Before it was a bear, now I don't even notice it.

[jack82]

There's something wrong with that clutch setup.................it shouldn't be hard with an ez clutch.............and if the setup is ok then I'm afraid the word girlyman comes to mind..........

[stevo]

by the sound of it somones put the heavy spring in there

The heavy spring does make it a bit heavier....

if it also has the extra plate setup from Barnett or similar that gives a bit more stack height and adds to the clutch tension...

As xena said...try loobin it.....

I've used a few different types of lube over the years (on the bike too ;) ) and have found that WURTH HS2000 is by far the best in that application...

You may also have a kink in the cable ...... and makes it a lot hard to get thru if ya got a kink in it :D
Have a close look at it and replace the cable before ya start lookin at new clutches

[BonRu]

Still that tough with an EZ Clutch? I'm with everyone else; something's funky. My '00 was really hard for me (I'm a girl), and I had it checked out and they said it was pretty normal feeling (in fact, some said I was a girly-girl because mine was easier than mose). I put the EZ Clutch in, and all problems solved. Good luck finding the problem!

[rokpunk]

the cable has been well lubricated...still it's hard a sh!t to pull.
the wrench at my local indy suggested something (i wish i could recall what it was called) to be installed under the tranny cover to help. it sounded like the same theory as the ez-pull thing i already have.

[rokpunk]

by the way, i just replaced the clutch cable a few weeks ago, lubed real well, and still same problem. i have a feeling stevo is right and the springs are heavy duty. i have asked several people to try my clutch, and all agree it's hard to pull. how hard of a job is it to change out the springs on a clutch? what's involved?

[MisterB]

Next time you see another pre-'04 bike, tell the owner about your clutch problem, and ask if you can pull in the clutch on his bike to see how it compares. If it is the same, then the answer lies in doing some hand and wrist exercises.

[stevo]

There's a little doodad that goes under the clutch cover that we put on some peoples bikes...

Used ta buy 'em off US ebay

do a search on ebay....

Not a big job to change out a clutch but ya gonna need some special tools and/or a press

Find someone who wants a high performance clutch and do 'em a swap

[stevo]

maybe the EZclutch thing is set up wrong .... remove it and see if that helps

I'm not familiar with 'em so can't give any decent advice

[rokpunk]

maybe the EZclutch thing is set up wrong .... remove it and see if that helps

I'm not familiar with 'em so can't give any decent advice

nah, the ez-clutch is set up correctly....there's nothing to installing it.
it helps a little bit, but certainly not the 50% better it claims. maybe 10%.

[sportymark]

I use a Muller Power Clutch on mine (don't know if it's similar to an EZ clutch but it sits behind the derby cover and uses a different method of releasing the clutch), got it from Custom Chrome.

I've had bikes before when, even though the cable is lubed is still past it's best.

Try and find a teflon lined aftermarket cable (I think the new Dyna's get them as standard now), a new set of original springs prehaps?

[us2bbarne]

Just put the easy pull clutch thing in last Friday on my '04 Custom. 50% better and can now clutch w/2 fingers. Easier than the '06 XL's. $26.95 after discount from Kutter HD. Same part I think as on e-bay (the guy from Sarasota).

[rokpunk]

Well, I took my bike into my local indy, and after 3 of the wrenches there took turns pulling my clutch in, I am happy to report that I am *not* a giry-man, and the consensus is that my clutch is super tight. We came to the conclusion that the cheapest fix for this problem is to go back to stock springs in the clutch and to loose the high performance ones in there now. I tried the clutch on a few of the Sportsters in the shop, and some of their customers bikes in for repair, and mine is the tightest by far. They had an item by White Bros. that sounded like it would work, but it didn't fit my year.

[mordak]

Might I suggest one of these they are cheap. :D :laugh :roflblack

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/mordak13/Stuff/305-001.jpg

[rokpunk]

if only it was that easy!
trust me, my left hand gets plenty of exercise....almost as much as my right (i like to switch off, ya know...it's like getting some strange, if ya know what i'm sayin').

[bikergal]

I just got a 2000 1200 . The clutch is soo tight I can pull it in only about 2 times before my left arm goes numb all the way from my fingers to my elbow. The dealer put in some sort of easy clutch thing($ 200.00) but after hubby brought it home last saturday I dont see/feel any difference. trying new barnett cable and ergonomic levers this weekend to see if that helps any. I am not a weakling and had no trouble with my Intruder 1400. I have had the HD for 6 weeks and still not ridden it. Troubles with dealer and taking 5 weeks to add on brake lights, windshield , crash bar, road lamps etc.if latest ideas don't work I am taking it to another shop to see what they can do. I am in tears- the bike is beautiful and I bought it because everyone- all with HD's said the clutch could be fixed. Now I am wondering if I did the right thing in selling my great Intruder for what has thus far- not been a happy harley experience for me.