How To Fix All Harley Hydraulic Clutch Problems | Softbrake Reduced Reach Clutch Lever Installation

A HUGE shout out to Softbrake for making this video possible.
Link to Softbrake Reduced Reach Levers: softbrake.com/reduced-reach-b...
Link to all of Softbrake's products: softbrake.com/
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If you own a Harley touring model with the hydraulic clutch, you may have noticed that it is difficult to pull and offers poor feedback. The Softbrake Reduced Reach Clutch Lever brings the lever closer to the rider making clutch pulls much easier. This helps with modulating the clutch and providing better feedback.

[@floridaguido]

Fantastic customer service! I ordered mine just before lunch on Monday (3/9) and it was in my mailbox when I got home yesterday, Thursday (3/12)!!

[@FocusedGarage]

You're going to absolutely love it!

[@spencerb8609]

Order one last week. Excellent customer service

[@FocusedGarage]

Nice! It's a great improvement.

[@bcbsilverhawk8426]

I ordered the Clutch lever for my 2020 Road King Special. Installed it today. Wow what a difference. Couldn't be happier. Thanks for the video. Piece of cake to install.

[@FocusedGarage]

Happy to hear you like it!

[@mr.sophistication3232]

I have the same bike and will follow suit.

[@bcbsilverhawk8426]

@@mr.sophistication3232 Very satisfied with the Soft brake lever. Much improved. Take care.

[@FocusedGarage]

Glad to hear you like it!

[@chriszichriszable]

I have the same bike and will follow suit.

[@bradybingham2317]

This is an excellent option if you choose not to get an adjustable lever set from Oberon or PSR-USA or if you choose to keep the OEM look for the levers. Personally I chose to go with the PSR Journey adjustable levers for my 2019 Street Glide Special.

[@hankbrown3959]

Did they help with the feel of the clutch? My clutch feels like an on/off switch with very little feed back.

[@bradybingham2317]

Hank Brown unfortunately the adjustable levers do not help with the feel of the clutch. It just helps with how far in or out the lever is when the clutch starts to grab. Hydraulic clutches by design have more of an on/off feel to them because the window from where the clutch is fully engaged, to where the clutch starts to grab, and then when the clutch is disengaged is very small compared to a cable clutch.

[@FocusedGarage]

Due to the shorter reach and me not having to extend my hand as far, I would say it helped a little with the feel.

[@kato64]

I sure hope this is the solution. I purchased a new (previous model year) ‘19 RG Ultra in September of last year. I was aware of the hydraulic clutch system when I bought it, but having ridden bikes in the past with hydraulic clutches, assumed it would be a big improvement over my ‘07 SG, with the traditional cable clutch. Boy was I wrong. What a hateful POS system. I’ve been riding for 36 years, and feel like a noob every time I ride the thing. I pop the clutch all the time, particularly when she’s cold, and my slow speed control has gone to hell. It is so bad that I’ve considered getting rid of it, taking the financial hit, and buying a new one, as they’ve gone back to cable clutches. Hopefully they ship to Canada, or have a Canadian distributor. Thanks for the post!

[@FocusedGarage]

As far as I am aware, SoftBrake ships worldwide so you should be good to go!

[@kato64]

@@FocusedGarage - I opted for PSR adjustable levers. Regardless, solved the problem. Money well spent!

[@bigdaddysshop8180]

Can't find one for the 2013 CVO ULTRA...

[@FocusedGarage]

Reach out to them via phone or email, they have one that fits that bike.

[@user-de4ww5eq1w]

I have 16 SG with hydraulic clutch

[@khajawasim4251]

After changing clutch lever, did you face any issues with engine start while in gear? Thx

[@FocusedGarage]

That would be related to the neutral safety switch, not the clutch lever.

[@hughmorris1361]

Did you said they changed to hydraulic in 2017? They did way before that. I’ve checked out Softbrake’s website. Kinda confusing. There’s a “2014-2016” and “2017 and Newer” but there’s a “2009-Present”. It seems like that last one covers the first two. Also, the website says that you need to send in your old levers for “exchange”. Are they just modifying and reselling them?

[@FocusedGarage]

If you have any question about specifics, I recommend giving Soft Brake a call to clear things up. As far as I'm aware, it might be all touring models 2014 and up have hydraulic clutch levers.

[@ThreeWheeler54]

Is do they have a clutch lever for a 2001 triglide it is a cable 2021 sorry

[@FocusedGarage]

They should. Check out their website or shoot them a message!

[@danielnaranjo953]

Will these work for a 2016 fatboy s?

[@FocusedGarage]

That will use different levers. Check out their site!

[@bcbsilverhawk8426]

I've been considering this option. Do you have a discount code? Thanks.

[@FocusedGarage]

I don't have a discount code, but if you call in and speak to Rick and tell him you saw Mike's video on KZbin, they should be able to take care of you!

[@shawnellsworth7623]

What about a 2012 softail cvo Convertible With hydraulic clutch Same issue as with newer touring models They don’t have anything available I could find

[@FocusedGarage]

Shoot them a message, they should be able to help.

[@litomarquez8058]

I just called today for my 2012 cvo rg. He will custom bend when you send it in

[@FocusedGarage]

Thanks for the share.

[@malikreyes5197]

Will this fit in a 2021 Road King?

[@FocusedGarage]

Be sure to check with SoftBrake for fitment!

[@Tom-jw1pe]

Will this void any factory warranty with HD?

[@FocusedGarage]

It shouldn't. If you have any failure, Harley will have to prove that this part is responsible for the failure.

[@mpojr]

do they have it in chrome?

[@FocusedGarage]

Yes they offer this in chrome.

[@therythmoftheroad]

How does it retain the same clutch actuation when the travel has changed?

[@FocusedGarage]

This lever still engages and disengages the clutch in the same way as stock. The reach has been changed. It still serves the same purpose.

[@therythmoftheroad]

@@FocusedGarage if the reach has changed, then my assumption would be the lever travel from the handlebar grip to the lever has been shortened, so I'm still missing something here...is it longer on the opposite side of the pin to make up for the shorter travel?

[@chriszichriszable]

@@therythmoftheroad 4:21 it seems to me that they have changed the radius and/or the leverage of the little attached "thingy" there. So you have a shorter travel but the same amount of leverage!?!? Does that make sense?

[@therythmoftheroad]

@@chriszichriszable it’s seems very subtle, but looks like the radius has changed. Might give these a try.

[@raybrdjr]

@@therythmoftheroad , BRO THE ANGLE OF THE LEVER IS CHANGED WHERE IT IS MOUNTED ON. WHICH MAKES THE LEVER LESS TRAVEL. WATCH THE DAMN VIDEO IN FULL!

[@valeriequince4013]

Would like to have seen a still shot on before and after install with correct hand on levers to decide on purchase between these guys and the adjustable Oberons.

[@FocusedGarage]

Sorry about that, never had the chance to do so.

[@malikreyes5197]

Will it work on 2021 Road King?

[@FocusedGarage]

Check with the seller here: softbrake.com/

[@geraldgoodiii6993]

They do the brake setups for many police depts

[@FocusedGarage]

That is awesome!

[@Old-n-slo-locked-n-leaned]

Horse$#it. Go to police motor rodeo’s and you will see few, if any, of these levers. While the clutch lever can be helpful to improve reach, the rear and front brake levers can actually be dangerous on the street because the leverage to apply pressure to the pedal/lever is compromised. Also, they are stock levers that are heated and bent to the new radius. So while it might be true the levers themselves are designed and manufactured in the U.S., its misleading to imply the soft brake product (i.e a bent stock lever) is. I used the full set for about a year and now they are in the bin, where they belong.

[@DodgerDude74]

Be careful. I thought these were good to go assuming someone tested the throw wasn't affected. I bought a pair from Hog Leverage and had them installed at about the same time as new Barnett clutch kit. Set the dial to #3 out of 1 through 7 setting options. Fast-forward 14 mos and clutch smoked. Throw was at .0065. I thought the feeling of the clutch feeling like it was power shifting a bit was just me not used to the hydraulic clutch but it was exactly what i thought. Clutch wasn't disengaging fully. I had severe scoring and notching and clutch bearing shot.

[@malikreyes5197]

Where can place an order?

[@FocusedGarage]

Directly through the seller: softbrake.com/

[@jaypino2642]

I cannot find one for my 2014 street glide

[@FocusedGarage]

It should use the same lever. Message SoftBrake for additional help.

[@jaypino2642]

@@FocusedGarage I did find the one for my bike,should have look in the bottom section.Thank you. I ordered mine.

[@FocusedGarage]

Awesome! Hope you enjoy it.

[@geraldgoodiii6993]

I HAD to get this Worth every CENT

[@FocusedGarage]

Agree!

[@tlimsisnw1948]

Wish it wasn’t exchange

[@FocusedGarage]

I believe you can just purchase them, but then you don't get your core back.

[@chriszichriszable]

@@FocusedGarage please explain this. What does it mean?

[@ZONES89RS]

Well, I came here looking for a fix for my clutch not disengaging….

[@FocusedGarage]

Hydraulic? Possible air in the system.

[@ZONES89RS]

@@FocusedGarage ordered a rebuild kit for the master

[@paulrevere4326]

Very dramatic presentation.

[@FocusedGarage]

Have points to make!

[@lynskyrd]

OK hold on... WHY is the stock lever so far out in the first place? WHAT are you 'giving' up by swapping out levers on a bike you just paid close to $30K for ? Why not just go with adjustable levers if you're swapping. friggin Harley ??? Couldn't make a reliable hydraulic clutch; FIVE recalls until they went back to the cable design; which by the way- their new cable clutch design- has recall potential as well.

[@silkc300]

Just another salesman. There are no adjustments with a hydraulic clutch. Why didn’t he just measure the distance with a measuring device? And he doesn’t mention that these are modified levers that you may have to make some adjustments too if your bike won’t start in gear.

[@FocusedGarage]

Didn't have any adjustments to make on mine. Just a simple swap and good. Also, the shorter reach does make the pull easier. Not making anything up.