HD Clutch Recall 2018...Over 200,000 Affected!

[NC Triker]

My local dealer said all of the first kits that come in will go to their inventory on the showroom floor because they can't let a bike go out the door with an outstanding recall.

 

[Tucci]

Keeps getting better

Top notch - put on external crankcase breathers so as not to continually gum up engine , wait in line for clutch parts that due to defects in manufacturing has caused documented crashes, replacement of reverse motors at exorbitant prices, I see your point.

 

[Old Road Dog]

Wah! Just keep an eye on the MC level.The clutch wont fail suddenly.Youll notice the symptoms.More of a concern is where that fluid is goin?Ifn it migrates to the primary or somehow to the trans-oh boy.Brake fluid, gear oil, formula plus,syn3- not a happy marriage.

 

[Tucci]

Keep an eye

I totally agree with you. I'm sure you've known or know some persons who never should own any type of vehicle. I ride with a triglider who paid over $42,000 with customizing and the last two times we've ridden he has at least 5 DTC's. I've offered to read the codes but he shrugs and says "that's why I have the extended warranty" How many times has your significant other checked the oil level, or any fluid level. People wait for the idiot lights to inform them of problems .

 

[Moegy]

It would be interesting to hear how many, if any, have checked the clutch lever reservoir and found the fluid down. I have about 7,000 on my FW since I bought new in May. So far not one problem. I’ll start monitoring the clutch fluid.

 

[MDO]

It would be interesting to hear how many, if any, have checked the clutch lever reservoir and found the fluid down. I have about 7,000 on my FW since I bought new in May. So far not one problem. I’ll start monitoring the clutch fluid.

I have & on the day I heard about the recall. If your riding it before you get the fix, you should. My clutch fluid level was good, with no sight of fluid loss.

I'm scheduled for 11/14/2018. Its forcast to be 35° that morning, so it should be a fun ride in!

I have also flushed the front brake circuit. I plan on doing the rear master cylinder over the winter.

 

[Sully]

I have & on the day I heard about the recall. If your riding it before you get the fix, you should.

I'm scheduled for 11/14/2018. Its forcast to be 35° that morning, so it should be a fun ride in!

I have also flushed the front brake circuit. I plan on doing the rear master cylinder over the winter.

Have you asked the Dealer to come and pick it up from your home ? My Dealer gets mine on each service with no charge. They should, it's a Safety Recall.

Good luck on your repair.

 

[MDO]

Have you asked the Dealer to come and pick it up from your home ? My Dealer gets mine on each service with no charge. They should, it's a Safety Recall.

Good luck on your repair.

Thanks. I service it myself & the recall is supposed to take about an hour. I'll just drink coffee & look around.

They have a pick up service & I hope I never need it.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Wah! Just keep an eye on the MC level.The clutch wont fail suddenly.Youll notice the symptoms.More of a concern is where that fluid is goin?Ifn it migrates to the primary or somehow to the trans-oh boy.Brake fluid, gear oil, formula plus,syn3- not a happy marriage.

Not quite true

Any clutch can fail with out warning

The HD hydraulic clutch is a classic example, when it gets TOO hot it can fail without warning, once cooled down SOME come back to life, tho I would not trust it

IMO, if Harley did not cover up the slave cylinder ( with a cheap chromed cover) and move the exhaust a bit more many of these slave cylinders would be working better and longer JMHO

 

[MDO]

Not quite true

Any clutch can fail with out warning

The HD hydraulic clutch is a classic example, when it gets TOO hot it can fail without warning, once cooled down SOME come back to life, tho I would not trust it

IMO, if Harley did not cover up the slave cylinder ( with a cheap chromed cover) and move the exhaust a bit more many of these slave cylinders would be working better and longer JMHO

JACK, that aftermarket AIM slave cylinder is starting to look better!

 

[Free Bird]

I'm not sure. It is just about laying on the cat converter.... Of course if you add an S&S Exhaust that moves the converter? Who knows. (I miss my clutch cables)

 

[Jack Klarich]

Jeff, I think it should do fine in the un shrouded look unlike HD hiding behind a faux cover

I too miss a cable clutch, at least we could adjust the free play

 

[MDO]

I think I will be cancelling my appointment on 11/14/18 to get the recall done that morning.

It is forecast to be 23 degrees that morning & that is below my limit.

UPDATE: I moved my appt. to get the recall done to this Saturday, 11/10/18 at 10am.

 

[MDO]

Jeff, I think it should do fine in the un shrouded look unlike HD hiding behind a faux cover

I too miss a cable clutch, at least we could adjust the free play

I think you still install the cover, they just left it off to show off their cylinder. I'm getting the recall done , but when I find $280 laying around, I may order 1. The 40% less effort is a great selling point. The OEM HD cylinder is priced at around $60. If I was an engineer/machinist type, I would get 1 & modify it!

 

[Jack Klarich]

I think you still install the cover, they just left it off to show off their cylinder. I'm getting the recall done , but when I find $280 laying around, I may order 1. The 40% less effort is a great selling point. The OEM HD cylinder is priced at around $60. If I was an engineer/machinist type, I would get 1 & modify it!

I like it in black, tho I would probably have the trap door powder coated black also

And leave the faux chrome cover off for a few thousand miles to see if it helps

I believe the cover is trapping heat this cannot be good for the clutch fluid JMO

 

[MDO]

I like it in black, tho I would probably have the trap door powder coated black also

And leave the faux chrome cover off for a few thousand miles to see if it helps

I believe the cover is trapping heat this cannot be good for the clutch fluid JMO

You might be onto something Jack, with the trapping heat theory. That would look good with the trap door black.

My son said he wants to get my rear wheels powder coated black for Xmas. I have seen a few like that & liked it. I'm still considering a gloss clear coat. I'm not unhappy with the way the wheels look stock, just the fact they are not coated.

I'm not pulling the front 1 till I need a tire.

 

[Jack Klarich]

You might be onto something Jack, with the trapping heat theory. That would look good with the trap door black.

My son said he wants to get my rear wheels powder coated black for Xmas. I have seen a few like that & liked it. I'm still considering a gloss clear coat. I'm not unhappy with the way the wheels look stock, just the fact they are not coated.

I'm not pulling the front 1 till I need a tire.

The heat of a Harley clutch changes the free travel Big time

I bet keeping more heat out of the system the clutch will behave, less bad JU JU.

The fluid will not be as muddy nor will there be much chance of boil off or as Harley says the bubbles of gasses in the system ( What the hell are they talking about here)? Either you would have boiling off of fluid or not would be my guess. Once this starts the fluid would surely be compromised and eventually be a lower level at which time air could be introduced JMO

 

[Sidecarbill]

Sounds like smoke an mirrors don't it. I think fresh dot 4 boils at 400 degrees doesn't it. Brake systems generate tremendous amounts of heat and their reservoirs never run dry.

 

[rhino 2]

The way i read it..[Through my Caveman eyes].....If the fluid leaks out....Then air will/might/can enter the system and with it Water, IE Condensation...Then that will/might boil off leaving no releasing of the clutch plates, Think this scenario ' You are stopping at a red light you pull in the clutch lever and the clutch doesn't have enough hydraulic pressure to release the plates.. That can hurt...:xzqxz:.....

And evidently it did happen........

 

[52edub]

Played with a bike that had the AIM Light Force slave cylinder. The clutch pull is indeed light, but the major improvement was the clutch started engagement right near the grip instead of at the end of it's travel. Very easy to modulate now.

 

[Jack Klarich]

The way i read it..[Through my Caveman eyes].....If the fluid leaks out....Then air will/might/can enter the system and with it Water, IE Condensation...Then that will/might boil off leaving no releasing of the clutch plates, Think this scenario ' You are stopping at a red light you pull in the clutch lever and the clutch doesn't have enough hydraulic pressure to release the plates.. That can hurt...:xzqxz:.....

And evidently it did happen........

The MOCO has had years to get a handle on this IMO

Someone is going to crash and what will they say then?

 

[Jack Klarich]

Sounds like smoke an mirrors don't it. I think fresh dot 4 boils at 400 degrees doesn't it. Brake systems generate tremendous amounts of heat and their reservoirs never run dry.

Here is info on dot 4 fluid

By FMVSS116 standards, DOT 4 fluids must have a minimum dry boiling point of 446°F and a minimum wet boiling point of 311°F. DOT 4 is the grade applicable to most race engineered brake fluid in the world today, especially with regard to viscosity limit.

 

[rhino 2]

The MOCO has had years to get a handle on this IMO

Someone is going to crash and what will they say then?

I'm sure they have Errors and Omissions Insurance......

 

[MDO]

Here is info on dot 4 fluid

By FMVSS116 standards, DOT 4 fluids must have a minimum dry boiling point of 446°F and a minimum wet boiling point of 311°F. DOT 4 is the grade applicable to most race engineered brake fluid in the world today, especially with regard to viscosity limit.

I have used Valvoline brake fluid lately, it's rated DOT 3 & 4. I found a DOT 3 at Menard's that has a 451 dry boiling point, but the wet boiling point is only around 290. DOT 3 is listed as not absorbing moisture as quickly as DOT 4.

Once you get your flushing procedure down, it's such a simple process, it's not worth worrying about, i.e. just do it!

That in-line check valve makes it foolproof & you can't suck air back in the system.

 

[rhino 2]

Picked up my mail about 10 minutes ago.....And the Clutch recall notice was there....

And Like always Harley is right on top of things...

 

[Sully]

Picked up my mail about 10 minutes ago.....And the Clutch recall notice was there....

And Like always Harley is right on top of things...

Was that for your Trike ?? What year ??

 

[Jack Klarich]

Picked up my mail about 10 minutes ago.....And the Clutch recall notice was there....

And Like always Harley is right on top of things...

Got my notice today

Dealer has not received parts yet

The recall notice says be prepared for repair to take up to 2 hours bhaaaaaa

 

[Jack Klarich]

I have used Valvoline brake fluid lately, it's rated DOT 3 & 4. I found a DOT 3 at Menard's that has a 451 dry boiling point, but the wet boiling point is only around 290. DOT 3 is listed as not absorbing moisture as quickly as DOT 4.

Once you get your flushing procedure down, it's such a simple process, it's not worth worrying about, i.e. just do it!

That in-line check valve makes it foolproof & you can't suck air back in the system.

My 15 Freewheeler. I never had any trouble with the clutch on that 1. This picture was taken @ RJS Originals home in NC. Notice the rear wheel inner chrome covers and the heat deflector below the seat. This trike was the test mule for these parts

 

[dannymax]

Got my notice today also. I called the service guy at the dealers last week, he told me 5 or 6 new actuators would be in around the 5th and he would save one for me. Called him again today and sure enough, he had one with my name on it....I'm on for a Monday afternoon appt.

 

[rhino 2]

Was that for your Trike ?? What year ??

I Don't have a Harley any more. I had a 17 T/G.....My dealer also sells Slingshots

So to get rid of the lemon we did a no money exchange's hands for a new 18 Slingshot...