Hydraulic clutch

fiatfan · Sep 14, 2015

I´ve searched the forum for this, but can´t find anything. Would it be possible to sneak in a small hydraulic slave cylinder inside the clutch outer cover? You would naturally have to fabricate a new bracket for it, but the place seems to be there? One could use the large lock ring to secure the bracket, which then would press directly on the pushrod. Anyone tried this?

Tommy

ILLF8ED · Sep 14, 2015

Yes it's been done, but I don't have any reference. In my mind the cost benefit isn't justified.

G81 Can Cycle · Sep 14, 2015

I believe Jim Comstock developed one

I think the one he developed is sold by CNW

I have a CNW hyd clutch on my bike, and it works great.

ntst8 · Sep 14, 2015

Go to coloradonortonworks.com, click the view catalogue tab and search for hydraulic.
I have one, once set correctly it has a very nice action, and no more broken cables

Whether the cost is worth it is up to you.
I have no great mechanical abilities and did the installation myself.
They also now have master cylinder bracket which allows the existing switch gear to be used with this.
Edit - a flood of us responding it seems :mrgreen:

1up3down · Sep 14, 2015

go to the Colorado Norton Works web site and check out the hydraulic clutch offered

I installed it, easy, on my Commando over two years ago and it is fantastic with no worry of cable breaking or different cable feel from stretching

plate separate is clean and always consistent in feel

I think I paid about $450 back then, well worth in my opinion

do a search of hydraulic clutch on Access Norton, pages and pages of comments

comnoz · Sep 14, 2015

I have lots of them. Jim

gortnipper · Sep 14, 2015

Hej på dig! Holland Norton Works also has Jim's clutches a little closer to Svierge. Dont know how the prices compare...

http://www.hollandnortonworks.eu/?lang=EN&page=10

Nater_Potater · Sep 14, 2015

I believe the OP was asking for a slave cylinder that fits in the left-hand outer clutch cover, versus the slick Comnoz unit that fits in the right-hand transmission cover. As in, direct acting on the spring such as the now standard automotive clutch, rather than through the pushrod. With the motion direction being opposite an auto clutch, I'm not sure how you'd convert the Norton clutch to function from that side.

Go with Jim's setup if you're looking for a hydraulic clutch.

Nathan

gortnipper · Sep 14, 2015

Nater_Potater said:
I believe the OP was asking for a slave cylinder that fits in the left-hand outer clutch cover...direct acting on the spring such as the now standard automotive clutch, rather than through the pushrod.

While I saw that he was asking about it in the clutch side, that is not how I read it.

fiatfan said:
...which then would press directly on the pushrod.

Tommy

Nater_Potater · Sep 14, 2015

gortnipper said:
While I saw that he was asking about it in the clutch side, that is not how I read it.

fiatfan said:

...which then would press directly on the pushrod.

Tommy

Click to expand...

Same here. I had to re-read it myself. Hey, Tommy; how about some input from Sweden?

fiatfan · Sep 14, 2015

Alright, some input coming up! What I actually meant was exactly how Colorado Norton Works have done! I´m obviously a psychic! They look exactly how I imagined you would make them, but much better of course

. My idea was to make something myself, using a clutch cylinder from an existing bike, and make a bracket to fit with the existing "nut". Interesting that you can buy them in Europe too, great, must check that out! Thanks everyone for the info!

Tommy

chasbmw · Sep 15, 2015

Venhills in the UK sell a Magura Hydraulic clutch system, which according to Venhills is available in a variety of sizes and could be specified to fit a Commando. No idea as to prices and obviously not a plug and play like the CNW kit

gripper · Sep 15, 2015

The Venhill system appears to still utilise the cam and ball mech in the gearbox end cover. I would be looking to get rid of that and get the piston to bear directly on the clutch pushrod as per the Jim Comstock design

vidar hjelm johansen · Sep 15, 2015

Hei Tommy
En hilsen fra Norge
Jeg har nå hatt min hydrauliske clutch med easy pul kit som jeg har kjøpt fra Matt hos CNW. i tre år
Bra greier, kjempe fornøyd.

Vidar

fiatfan · Sep 15, 2015

gripper said:
The Venhill system appears to still utilise the cam and ball mech in the gearbox end cover. I would be looking to get rid of that and get the piston to bear directly on the clutch pushrod as per the Jim Comstock design

I totally agree, it would seem to be just half-done to leave the cam and ball in there.
Tommy

fiatfan · Sep 15, 2015

vidar hjelm johansen said:
Hei Tommy
En hilsen fra Norge
Jeg har nå hatt min hydrauliske clutch med easy pul kit som jeg har kjøpt fra Matt hos CNW. i tre år
Bra greier, kjempe fornøyd.

Vidar

Hei Vidar!
Det låter greit, vet ikke hvis jeg kan finansiere det hele, hoper det!
(har jobbet i Trondheim 6-7 år)

Tommy

Matchless · Sep 15, 2015

Would I be correct in thinking, that a hydraulically activated clutch, cannot be made any lighter than a cable operated clutch. Just less prone to temperature changes etc. This is assuming they both give equal lift.

lcrken · Sep 15, 2015

Matchless said:
Would I be correct in thinking, that a hydraulically activated clutch, cannot be made any lighter than a cable operated clutch. Just less prone to temperature changes etc. This is assuming they both give equal lift.

My experience, with an earlier hydraulic conversion (by Bill Albaugh) on my race Norton, is that it eliminates the drag/friction inherent in a cable operated system, making the pull somewhat lighter for the same force at the clutch. If you have a really good cable system (the right cable, properly lubricated, with proper clutch adjustment), then the improvement might not be as noticeable. But the hydraulic system does give you a really smooth feel. It also eliminates the need to adjust the cable, and eliminates the slop/play in the stock system. I'm a fan of it, and have one of Jim's kits to install on my street Commando (as soon as I can get around to it

Ken

comnoz · Sep 15, 2015

Matchless said:
Would I be correct in thinking, that a hydraulically activated clutch, cannot be made any lighter than a cable operated clutch. Just less prone to temperature changes etc. This is assuming they both give equal lift.

It will be lighter because even the best cable is going to have more friction than a hydraulic setup. it was the difference between my 18 and 19 year old daughters being able to ride my MK3 or not.

Jim

G81 Can Cycle · Sep 15, 2015

I went with Jim's setup because of a terrible day in traffic. My hand cramped up so bad I had to pull over and rest (riding my 74 Interstate) I own a CNW build with Jim's clutch installed. It has spoiled me. I do not work my tools everyday as I did when I was younger, so some of my grip strength has gone.

But there is a major difference in total hand fatigue with Jim's clutch upgrade (especially in stop and go traffic)

John

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