has anybody installed that hydralic clutch kit

Status
Not open for further replies.
I own several Nortons, including one of Matt's CNW builds. My 75 Mark 3 and my 71 Roadster are pretty stock (points, amals, ect) I have a 74 Interstate that I love to ride. On a recent trip to the GA mountains, I rode the CNW one day, and switched to Interstate the next day to have my girlfriend ride with me.

We went through a small town with lots of weekend traffic. Stop and go, stop and go. Had to pull over because my hand started cramping (and I have a very nice cable operated clutch) I found I had become spoiled by the hydraulic clutch on the CNW build.

Got home and ordered the hydraulic clutch upgrade from CNW to install on the Interstate. Also added the Brembo front brake, billet triple trees, new controls, and turn signal kit. The Interstate was a pleasure to ride before these upgrades, it is even more pleasurable now.

I have no plans to upgrade the 75 or 71 Roadsters. But, the CNW and Interstate are the bikes I choose to ride most often. Just my $.02.
 
Although the cable can effect lever pull, i think this is a small percentage of why we get hard pull clutches. Clutch pack, clutch centers and actuators play a much higher percentage of a role for the hard to pull clutch.
For this reason the hydraulic clutch could be bad by masking a more serious issue.
A hydraulic clutch is a great thing but may be meant for a clutch system that was designed for it.
 
Matt....

Any progress on the adapter for the Brembo clutch M/C and stock switchgear yet?

JD

CNW said:
jeffdavison said:
Jim, Matt, thanks for the reply.

One thing that is holding me back is the switchgear. With the setup that was offered through CNW, it was required to use a modified Honda left hand switch setup, at least that is what the pictures were showing and was in the description while it was on the web site.

I really would like to be able to use the standard Lucas switches. The reason why, is that I'm using Madass's Master Cylinder for the front brake, and the way he produces the assembly, it lets the stock Lucas switch and mirror be used. I would want to keep left and right switch gear and mirrors symetrical and stock if at all possible and that would be a priority for the hydraulic clutch.




JD
Click to expand...

Jeff,

Here you go......this is a clamp I have designed and it allows you to retain the stock Lucas switch cluster when using both the Brembo master for the Hydraulic clutch kit and also the Brembo master for the cNw/Brembo brake kit.

Still in prototype stage and it will probably be another 2 months before available.

Matt / Colorado Norton Works

http://www.coloradonortonworks.com

has anybody installed that hydralic clutch kit


has anybody installed that hydralic clutch kit


has anybody installed that hydralic clutch kit
Click to expand...
 
Jeff,

My next block of time in the machine shop will be in January. I was hoping it would bee sooner but they are finishing up on a big job and I can not get in before then.

So middle to end of January the adapters will be ready to go. The first ones will be in a bright aluminum finish but I will also have some black anodized to see how they look. The black will be available a bit later depending on how long it takes the shop that does the anodizing

Matt / Colorado Norton Works

www.coloradonortonworks.com
 
Thanks Matt.
My Alton E-Start kit WILL be at my doorstep (finally) this Friday, and along with that, the rear disc conversion I'm doing on my '74 will take most of my Winter project time. So January looks very very workable for the hydraulic clutch :)
Have you considered powder coating the part?

Jeff

CNW said:
Jeff,

My next block of time in the machine shop will be in January. I was hoping it would bee sooner but they are finishing up on a big job and I can not get in before then.

So middle to end of January the adapters will be ready to go. The first ones will be in a bright aluminum finish but I will also have some black anodized to see how they look. The black will be available a bit later depending on how long it takes the shop that does the anodizing

Matt / Colorado Norton Works

http://www.coloradonortonworks.com
Click to expand...
 
Jeff,

I am thinking anodize for a few reasons. It would match the black anodized Brembo master cylinder. It would also be a thin enough coating that would not affect the fit on the handlebars or the Lucas switch itself. Powder is just to thick and would change the adapter dimensionally

Good to hear you are finally getting the starter kit. You have been waiting a long time. I still dont have my order in that was placed in May, so hopefully its not far behind.

Matt / Colorado Norton Works

www.coloradonortonworks.com
 
I've had hydraulic clutch systems on several Norton race bikes for almost 25 years now, and love them. All the good features Jim and Matt pointed out are true. I haven't used the conversion Jim does yet, but I have one that is going on my street MK3 this year, and I expect to be just as happy with it. It looks even better designed than the old Bill Allbaugh systems I've been using.

Ken
 
Chaps,

I realise that the most important factor in getting a light clutch is the stack height / spring relationship.

But, given any specific spring set up, am I correct in thinking that the hydraulic set up will be lighter than cable?

Having broke my left arm twice, and sprained it numerous times, and not being as young as I was, I do suffer from weakening / cramping in my left arm when on a longish ride with lots of clutch action.

If a hydraulic set up helps with this, it would be a huge improvement for my riding pleasure.

Any informed comments on this?
 
Fast Eddie said:
Chaps,

I realise that the most important factor in getting a light clutch is the stack height / spring relationship.

But, given any specific spring set up, am I correct in thinking that the hydraulic set up will be lighter than cable?

Having broke my left arm twice, and sprained it numerous times, and not being as young as I was, I do suffer from weakening / cramping in my left arm when on a longish ride with lots of clutch action.

If a hydraulic set up helps with this, it would be a huge improvement for my riding pleasure.

Any informed comments on this?
Click to expand...

Yes it is a lighter pull than a cable.

When I got my old MK3 out last summer so my 19 year old daughter could ride it at the INOA rally -she could not handle the clutch -even with a fresh cable and a good stack height. She could pull it, but she could not control the release well enough to avoid regular stalling.
After installing the hydraulic clutch she had no more problems. Jim
 
If I convert Peel this is similar lever to match her non Norton brake lever.

has anybody installed that hydralic clutch kit
 
hobot said:
If I convert Peel this is similar lever to match her non Norton brake lever.

has anybody installed that hydralic clutch kit
Click to expand...

Good grief Steve... Looks like something from a Transformers movie !!
 
comnoz said:
Fast Eddie said:
Chaps,

I realise that the most important factor in getting a light clutch is the stack height / spring relationship.

But, given any specific spring set up, am I correct in thinking that the hydraulic set up will be lighter than cable?

Having broke my left arm twice, and sprained it numerous times, and not being as young as I was, I do suffer from weakening / cramping in my left arm when on a longish ride with lots of clutch action.

If a hydraulic set up helps with this, it would be a huge improvement for my riding pleasure.

Any informed comments on this?
Click to expand...

Yes it is a lighter pull than a cable.

When I got my old MK3 out last summer so my 19 year old daughter could ride it at the INOA rally -she could not handle the clutch -even with a fresh cable and a good stack height. She could pull it, but she could not control the release well enough to avoid regular stalling.
After installing the hydraulic clutch she had no more problems. Jim
Click to expand...

Thanks Jim, that sells it !
 
Good grief Steve... Looks like something from a Transformers movie !!
Click to expand...

Alrighty Fast Edward, that's exactly the impression I hope Peel leaves after about completely jumping Norton fence and field of what's seen on traditional Commandos. Peels current levers are wilder yet with more crooked-holed lever bends and ratchet adjusters with brighter golden yellow anodizing. Only thing that may offend more is the foot forward pegs on fork brace. I think I can feather/control Peel clutch slippage by cable to save a few oz's and bux.
 
The hydraulic conversion is great for those of us getting on a bit, and shelling out the cash may keep you Commando-ing for a bit longer. If you get to experience a broken clutch cable then maybe you should have a word with yourself about your servicing regime (or lack of) I don't carry a spare cable but I do check the condition of the cables now and then. I reckon I could get home from most parts of the UK without a clutch cable.

Off topic a little, A friend of mine that I was introducing to the delights of the Isle of Man a few years ago, had a flat battery on his GSX750. He had no idea about bump starting a bike. After enlightening him, I had the last laugh though. After a week of "catch up Grandad" type of abuse he decided to try and copy the stunt riders on the sea front, with a rolling burnout. It all ended in tears. My services were then required to help make it rideable to get him back to the mainland. :lol:
 
gripper said:

If you get to experience a broken clutch cable then maybe you should have a word with yourself about your servicing regime (or lack of)
Click to expand...

yes, regular close servicing "could" visually catch a soon to be suspect clutch cable

the problem is that one has to pretty much remove both ends of the cable at their attachment points and look very closely to try to observe any early warning signs such as fatiguing or fraying

the reality is that mostly the cable simply snaps at either end and that's it, you are now in a pickle away from home

==================

I have had the hydraulic clutch installed for over two years now and i love it, what is seldom mentioned is that the hydraulic operation is very consistent, the action is the same all the time, day after day, versus the cable operation which seems to change in feel perhaps from stretching or even outside temperature changes
 
My buddy-mentor Wesley motto is > If It Ani't Broke...
so never maintains his until it breaks had lever end clutch cable break off so he unscrewed spare sparkplug end terminal, bore a side hole with pocket knife then a screw or plug thread end to jam lock cable and its worked a treat for some years now. Still its entirely possible a hydraulic leak in the gearbox end could go undetected till sitting with clutch in looking out off a dock to the last drop into the drink. Wes does remind me to always check oil as don't need help to remembering hydraulic fluid.
 
Still its entirely possible a hydraulic leak in the gearbox end could go undetected till sitting with clutch in looking out off a dock to the last drop into the drink.
Click to expand...

knowing what you know about the construction of the hydraulic slave inside the gearbox outer cover,
what do you believe what cause this entirely possible leak you speak of?

seriously, being the owner of one of Jim's hydraulic clutches, I would like to know
 
...and Steve, if you run out of Hydraulic fluid in your brake system...you will have no more brake !!

There is a sight glass in most hydraulic master cylinders. So Yes, you may have to check the level periodically to make sure there is still some fluid in there. Just like your brake system

Personally I have noticed that when having a hydraulic clutch (and a good brake system), I find myself not thinking much about my controls, since I know I can count on them and they are so much more predictable. It's more relaxing to ride. You focus on whats going on around you instead of thinking about a hard clutch or a brake that needs to much input to make the bike stop.

Matt / Colorado Norton Works

http://www.coloradonortonworks.com
 
Relax I was Just pointing out anything can fail not that hydraulics are less secure than flex fatiquing cable. Peel's cable clutch decision is based solely on matching Peel's eye sore billet style of grips and skipping another item I could screw up on to delay progress more than already am. I did leave out the full text of my quip to plug in, Entirely possible but highly unlikely. to leak.
 
If it was a British car in the 60's,70's and 80's, we would often have to o/haul the clutch hydraulics, and often renewing the slave cylinders because of excessive corrosion. [ brakes as well ]. Yes it is possible a clutch slave cylinder inside an AMC gearbox could leak. But then, we check our bikes over so often that we would notice the drop in fluid level!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Dereck
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
  • Locked
making the commando stock air filter smaller, has anybody?
Replies
18
Views
4,887
kerinorton
K
Back
Top