Hydraulic clutch vs non hydraulic clutch
 

Which do you prefer and why?

Cable. I can feel it better.

No rubber. I can feel it better.

Having spent all my time on a cable clutch and now running a hydraulic clutch, it doesn't really bother me. It's not really that big of a deal.

Cable
better feel, cheaper to fix when it breaks.

No fluid changes on a cable either.

I notice a lot of people with poorly lubricated and out of adjustment cables. So it's not like you can neglect it completely. I am not going to change my own fluid, getting the air out of it is more important than brakes, so I am going to have the dealer change it when they do the ABS system every year.

I like the feel of a cable, but hydros work ok.

Having had both, I'm fine with either.
Also, I'm with Trip. I'm not dicking with the fluid when it comes time to change it out on the 1125.

I've had both.

I like cable because you can adjust it to your liking.

I like hydraulic because you don't have to fuck with it...btw clutch fluid doesn't need to be changed as often as brake fluid due to the lack of heat. I mean, I've owned cars well over 10 years old with 100,000+ miles that have never had the clutch fluid changed:lol:.

I have both and slightly prefer the hydraulic. By the way, the fluid in my clutch gets dirty way sooner than the brake fluid. But it's a no-brainer to change and bleed.

I mentioned heat because it's what causes brake fluid to lose effectiveness, right? I wonder why yours gets so dirty, so quick? I think that I changed clutch fluid once and that probably wasn't necessary...:lol:

Had a hydraulic on an Aprilia, and it was smooth as silk......no rough spots like some cable clutches have. But it leaked down near the slave cylinder, so it needed bleeding every 2 weeks :lol: That wasn't very difficult, though......I would just do the lazy-man bleed......Hold the lever in, put a rag over the bleeder, and give it a real quick open-close with a wrench.

I've had both. More time on the hydra. Hand felling, the hydra is like having power brakes, and the cable is like not having power brakes.

They're the same. Some are smooth, some are clunky, some depends on the adjustment, etc etc.

I have a bike with each and I prefer the cable

I never had a hydraulic clutch so I can't really say what my preference would be. I suppose I would like the feel of the cable but :idk:

Erik - "hydraulic clutches suck"

Its a hard choice. I like cable, especially on dirtbikes. But i've had sportbikes with hydraulic clutches and they performed flawlessly. Cable may feel better, but hydraulic is pretty nice too.

Doing mostly street riding, I must use my clutch lever 50 times to 1 use of the brake lever. All that movement probably lets in more dirt and moisture than the brake line. And with the little window in the reservoir, I change it when I can actually see color.

On my Suzuki, when I changed to braided brake lines, I changed to DOT 5 silicone fluid. That was in 1982. The best thing about it is it doesn't absorb water. Regular brake fluid does absorb water. The water in brake fluid is what boils and degrades brake performance. When the fluid becomes dirty or cloudy, it's probably absorbed water and it's time to change it.

If you are comfortable bleeding brakes you can just as easily bleed the clutch. Done it many times on my futura, only PITA on that bike is accessing the slave cylinder. I think its out in the open on the 1125, I will check tomorrow when I go home.

Tom

Just make sure the seals arent breaking down, had that problem on the futura and had to bleed it out every 2 weeks till I replaced the slave cylinder and havent had a problem since.

Tom

Not a big fan of bleeding brakes either.
Screwing with hydraulics and the possibility of air bubbles makes me nervous.
Besides, that's why I paid extra for the high holy service package when I bought the Buell.
I want to spend my time riding, not wrenching.

i actualy like doing most of the maintenance work myself. With a good mityvac bleeding is a breeze, but I do see the concern of getting air in the lines.

Speaking of the buells I need to make sure my local HD shop still services them, otherwise its going to be a bit of a trip for service.

Tom

HD in general still has to sell parts and service for buell for 7yrs. Law

The one by me blocked out the old buell sign so i was wondering if they were still servicing them. Will be fun to see when I bring it in for its 600 mile service and inspection

They most likely will.

Ditto. I have the parts to convert my TLR's hydro clutch. At some point in time I'll get off my ass and off the internet and do it.

Not all dealers have to offer the 7 year parts/service. There is a servicing agreement that each dealer must sign in order to receive the dealer incentives on Buells.

Many dealers who previous to the 10/15 announcement were dealers, are NOT going to be parts and servicing dealers going forward.

Yup, the law is written so that parts have to be available, it doesnt say anything about making it easy to get them

Interesting. Well guess a call is in order before you take your bike to what you think is your buell dealer. I know my dealer is still doing everything.

My dealer will still carry parts and service them.
They won't be servicing mine however.
I will order parts online from a dealership that used to actually support Buell (FT BSTRD, how's your shipping?) and do the work myself.

Oh, and I like the hydro on my 25R...

KFTC Cutty. Earn that sig line!

KFTC? haven't seen that one before.

I like a good ole fashion cable.

Once i get my dads Vulcan i wont have a choice but to use a Hydraulic though

jfgi

Hydraulic.

In fact, I like it so much I'm putting a conversion kit on my '73 Norton. It goes nicely with the Brembo upgrade...

cool

Cable.

Besides being easier to work on, I feel more connected to the bike

I thought that was 'his' '73 Norton :whistle:

If HE rode it, or worked on it... it would be HIS. :whistle: :lol:

FINE

An acronym for Keep Fucking That Chicken. The phrase was popularized by a New York FOX 5 anchorman, Ernie Anastos and appears to have been an on-air non sequitur. See YouTube for the historical documents.

Just Fucking Google it. You say it when somebody asks a stupid question.

Happy now?

Well if you ever need that done let me know. I'll also change your head lamp fluid, muffler bearings,change the air in your tires, and adjust your variable power band.

In the bikes that have had hydraulic clutches smart boy!!!:lol:

Cable or hydraulic? Whichever one that was designed and made well.

You are a great student Sir Cutty.

You are a great student Sir Cutty.

I like the one that works :)

I currently have two bikes, one has cable, one has hydraulic.

No real preference one way or the other, though I like the FEEL of the hydraulic one better.

Generally speaking, you only put a hydraulic system on clutches with heavy heavy springs (high torque motors that require a lot of clutch pressure to avoid slipping) but that's not necessarily always the case.

No pref.

Been back and forth and never really payed attention.
In other words...no preference.