A REAL Fix for a Sticking Harley Clutch (Full Shop Session)

[@vintageharleysrevived]

"First Full Shop Session right here. I’m fixin’ a sticky Harley clutch with cheap tools and no BS. Got questions or your own tricks? Let’s hear ’em below-I read every damn one."

[@bsd1974]

Another great video. Love the realism and honesty. Nothing quite as frustrating as getting a project all back together anticipating a successful test run then realizing it's all got to come back apart. Oh well, that's life right? Thanks for the video and the lessons. On a side note, I grew up in a body shop and my dad always taught me if you're turning a wrench or prying on something too hard, you better stop and reevaluate because you're about to break something, lol.

[@Lukers_tinkering]

You've inspired me to give a shop video a bash. Have to fix some hurt on my bike... It was drilled into me from a young age that with the right tools and knowledge anything is possible. That simple ideology would solve so many problems! Wouldn't it be lovely if this was a common theme throughout society!

[@vintageharleysrevived]

Anything is possible, Time, Tools and Technical knowledge. I pushed the time limit on this video about as far as I think. I will go. The next "Full Shop Session" will be around 60 min. I will monitor engagement and adjust from there. Looking forward to your content! And Yes! It would be great if it was a common theme in society!

[@jd9308]

When I first pulled up this new video I said, holy moley! That sure is a long vid! So I broke it up into two sessions. What can I say...I'm a old geezer with a short attention span but nobody had a clue about ADHD when I was a kid in the sixties lol. I loved watching and listening to you during the process. Plus my patience runs on the short side so I've learned I get frustrated quickly which leads to being mad which leads to doing dumb crap. So for those in depth jobs I leave it to the skilled people like yourself. Loved the video! I would love seeing something on setting the proper timing on a Evo motor if ever that should arise in your garage. Keep wrenching, riding and stay safe!

[@vintageharleysrevived]

I hear what you are saying about ADHD!! I was just "hyper"!! This will probably be as long of video as I will publish. Try to keep the "Full Shop Sessions" to about an hour! I hear you about EVO timing, I will look into a video about this!

[@rjoetting7594]

My 1978 flh and 1982 flt I've always used the same oil in all three holes, except for the 78 two holes only (BDL open primary) two holes only or you will make a huge mess, hahaha. My 82 is going to get a belt primary this winter, so it's going to be a two hole also. The great thing about an inclosed belt primary is no oil to gum up anything (including clutch plates), and if you find oil in the primary, you have a problem.

[@vintageharleysrevived]

There is the solution. What is the life on the dry clutch?

[@rjoetting7594]

@vintageharleysrevived I'm not sure of the actual service life, but my open primary 78 hasn't been changed in the last five years or so. ( might be longer) And it still is working as it should. And I buy the cheapest clutchs I can find, usually from JP cycles. I've owned my 78 for more years than I want to admit. It was my first big twin after I sold my 76 iron head. I'm 61 now and a lot closer to 62, I was in my late 20s when I bought it. (The 78) I've only had the 82 flt since earlier this last summer, and I need to fix a couple of insignificant leaks ( transmission and primary) right now I just check the oil and transmission fluids before riding and over the summer and this fall I've had to less than a few ounces. (I'm adding a notation) If you do go to a dry clutch, you will need to convert to a belt primary, which I assume you already know. And you will also have a find a way to vent your primary cases to let heat escape. On a big twin the easiest way is slotted covers for the primary.

[@vintageharleysrevived]

That info is great, Thanks! I have never had a dry clutch primary. The 82 FLT must have had the primary isolated at one time, those came with a oiling system that used the engine oil kind of sprayed into the primary then evacuated quickly to try and minimize leaking. Creartive solution but I never thought circulating the clutch material into the engine was a good idea.I have isolated several over the years and switched to a wet clutch.

[@rjoetting7594]

​@@vintageharleysrevived Correct about the engine oil, the early Harleys were bottom breathing all the way up to the early EVOS. Reroute the oil back into the oil tank and the vent hose run it over to your drive chain (automatically oil your chain) unless you're using an O-ring chain, I don't know this personally but I've been told O-ring chains don't like conventional oils (high detergent) you will have to do your own research on this subject.

[@greyriddance64]

Practical advice, knowledge: great video as usual! Regarding Harley oil filters, there is a guy that showed what is inside them (spoiler: they suck). From my experience (limited), stuck clutches can be unstuck by suddenly revving with the clutch lever pulled. Doesn't it work on Harley clutches?

[@vintageharleysrevived]

It can help, but I have found it is only a partial or temporary solution. Replacement and a change in the oil type, then regular fluid changes is a permanent solution, IME.

[@martincvitkovich724]

GASgASINCH , THINNER THAN rtv and other sloppy silicone

[@vintageharleysrevived]

I don't understand your comment, try again?

[@martincvitkovich724]

Gasgasinch is a rubber type gasket sealer , brush it on. I was turned on to it by a Britbike shop in the 80's. It never dries and can mate metal to metal w/o gaskets. I use it in old gaskets that no longer have that squish quality and keeps equal spacing where needed. It wont 'blob up like silicone.

[@vintageharleysrevived]

Thanks for that info! I will look into that!

[@Lukers_tinkering]

@@martincvitkovich724 I've always made my own gaskets and never had a problem with leaks. I've seen liquid gaskets close oil feeder holes when a bead come loose, especially older air cooled bikes with small oil ports.