She Is STILL A Beauty , That Clutch pack should last a good long time now. Good Job on the camera work Artist And Cameraman Fred 👍 Another great video Pacific Mike 💯❗👍🙂
I remember installing 3 of those Ramjet clutch basket retaining rings. They worked like a champ! Born Free is THE main event. I wish I still lived in CA. Thanks Mike!
There is a land, so far away, that leaves me jealous every day, they've sunshine, bikes & girls galore, five thousand miles outside their door, from steaming jungle, to Alaska's cold; with that much room, can it ever get old? Here in England our roads are short, with most of them being the bendy sort, no prairie straights that run for days, just another hedge bottom well hid in the haze. They hone your skills & eat your tyres, but leave scant room for other desires . . . like Fred's bike! What an absolute beauty, over here we'd have it stuffed & mounted . . . just like everything else we catch! (But enough, enough of this envious banter - can we have some footage of her out for a canter? : )
You know, it's a little tough sometimes. Fred and Cameraman Mike still work for a living. I'll have to take them out for a big breakfast and get them going for "Videos Out On The Road."
Hi Mike! As it turned out I was installing a new compensator on my hot rod FLH sidecar rig today. Your comments on installing clutch plates properly came in handy. Interestingly, my pressure plate nuts have a cutout that matches a dimple on the plate. Makes it easy to properly set and true the plate.
Very interesting again! I do the same assembly (1st a metal plate), but with the same number of plates as original. The only thing what change is in the center of the "pile" of plates I put two "soft plates" together, so I finish as original tonthe pressure plate. Not easy to explain, but it works now for my rigid shovelhead with dry clutch. Before I changed every 2 years the aluminum clutchhouse. Cheers from France mate 👍
On a kickstart only, with tin primaries, it's a massive improvement. Smoother, much cleaner and much less maintenance, not to mention your friends driveways. With cast, sealed up primary housings and electric starters, I run a stock primary chain. It's all in the application.
Absolutely enjoy your videos. Good presentations. Would be interesting to hear some of your background stories of your life & times. Where, how you obtained this knowledge? I do have a friend in NY who is my " Doctor" for my '72 Shovel, you remind me of him. Thank you. Keep the vids coming sir.
Thank You. I do tell some of it in previous videos. It's just from working in shops and living. If you go to our UA-cam Homepage and click on the word "videos," there's two hundred thirty some videos up.
Mike, curious to know your thoughts about running an enclosed belt for primary drive. I've heard that the temps inside the covers get too high for a belt to live very long, especially with touring use [i.e., long distances]. What has been your experience? Thanks for your sharing and generosity.
My experience is "no problem." I always use a Kevlar belt and the last one that went bad was on my 52 Panhead with an enclosed primary. It is an 8mm Primo Rivera. I actually wore out the engine a couple times in 20 some years and finally pulled some teeth off the belt. It had outlasted any primary chains I've owned. Later models, (1965 and later) I run stock enclosed chains.
Mike, and all... I've been wrestling with Harley's antiquated 1941 clutch since 1967. When set up properly they work great, and when not, they don't I see absolutely no purpose in the little rattly ball & spring buffers on the steel plates. Most later H-D clutches and all aftermarket clutches, such as Rivera Primo, and Barnett, do away with them. Am I wrong? Also. On my 1968 FL, I am reverting back to the original recirculating chain oiler since the flooded primary is a leaker on this bike, and messy if I have to open 'er up for service work. This is a newish build I am still sorting things out on. And, you made the comment that you still use the re circ system, and I can see why.... ....RooDog....
Well, some like the buffers and some don't. I've run them with and without. If they're in good shape, I think they're fine, certainly quieter. If you don't like them, I get it. Okay by me. Sealing an early enclosed primary is nearly impossible. Yes, I run the stock recirculating system. It works great. And, I don't need to constantly check it.
@@pacificmike9501 If the buffer are in place I leave them installing them as you do, staggered. If any are damaged or missing, I don't sweat them, and do not bother replacing them, as I believe them to be useless. I have also seen some AM plates with rubber O rings, Now what a dumb idea, as they will surely break over time and could foul the clutch. In the Harley world there are a lot of dumb ideas floating around.
I've always believed (my dad was an old hotrodder and biker) that modifications, either mechanical or just for looks should be done for the purpose of improvement. I try to keep my custom stuff that way, I want it to work as well as I can do it. I'm always learning. I've got these old clutches down pretty well, then we made more power. There's some pretty nice units out there now, better than ever. But, you gotta be determined, possibly cut into our grocery money.
Mike, How does Fred handle not having a stamped VIN? here it wouldn't be an issue - but I hear stateside they're very particular.. Off piste I apologise - the ramjet is such a great design. I ran a clutch without one for a while and it went around like a buckled wheel. Makes such a diff.
Hello Mike. I have made many changes to my 98 Fatboy based on your wealth of experience. Any real life disadvantages of running an open primary instead of stock Evo setup. So much arm chair advise to be had. I'd be interested in your thoughts. Thanks
On big twins 1965 and newer, I run stock primaries and electric starters. There are some nicer ones out there, but the stock system is pretty good. On the old bikes with tin primaries and kick start, I improve it with a belt drive, enclosed so it won't eat my foot.
Another great vid Mike. Mike I wondered if you would be able to tell me where I might be able to get a buddy seat spring set up for a saddle seat. I have finally found and bought a restored 46 Knuckle and as I weigh a bit I may need that extra bounce. Thanks ahead for any shops you can recomend.
Greetings from Denmark. Have you any experience with long roller bearings instead of the original bearings? I ran it over 20 years on my knuckle. It had a problem with a wobbeling and noisy cluch, but after i switch to long roller and ram jet retainer (absolutly must) I never went back. 62 long roller also gives a lot more bearing surface than the 20 short ones, and it gives a little slack to install the clutchhub without losening the gearbox. Tage
Hi Mike, thanks for the great videos. I’ve seen a few videos of you doing clutch work and all have been with 3 finger clutch hubs. What’s your opinion on a 3 vs 5 finger hub?
Hey there Mike. I have a 1969 XLCH and I want to attempt to use a dry clutch. Have you ever done a Sportster dry clutch set up? Any tricks to sealing up the clutch basket? Thanks, Mike. long time subber and liker.
I haven't been in one of those in a long time. But they are designed as a dry clutch and can be done quite well as per the factory service manual. I believe Tedd Cycle in New York stocks all of the parts for that clutch.
Thanks man. Just bought a Sucker Punch Sally and it had fluid coming thru the shaft into the clutch pack. And it was overfilled. I thought i was gonna have to figure out some seals in the tranny (an Ultima). I wonder if Harley seals will fit that hub where you doubled up. Any how, thanks again.
Can you tell me mike, i have the same belt drive in my panhead all enclosed exactly same, will it overheat? Do you run it without the derby cover? Ive heard bad things
I run mine closed on both my Knuckle and my Panhead. The one on the Knuckle has been in there about 15 years or so and the Panhead, which has had a lot of use and traveling and on and on lasted until it pulled some teeth off at something like 23 or so years. Today's Kevlar belts are superb. Look through our videos when I replaced the belt on "Baby Doll."
I made a mistake I got a 1981 FLT the clutch was in bits and one plate was missing so I got a new set of plats and new springs but I could knot work out why the clutch was so stiff put new fork and bearing in the clutch release but was still stiff ran it for a year but just took it all down to have a good look and found out the springs they sent me were a bit longer and thicker stronger so I put old ones back and all is fine wish I had known there were difference springs my new ones were black with a white stripe on them
Mike is a wealth of information on these older Harleys. I never knew about the snap ring being two sided. Thank you for that bit of information.
Glad you like it.
She Is STILL A Beauty , That Clutch pack should last a good long time now. Good Job on the camera work Artist And Cameraman Fred 👍 Another great video Pacific Mike 💯❗👍🙂
Thank You.
Thank You Mike I learned quite a bit. Worth watching twice for me.
Cool. Thank You.
I remember installing 3 of those Ramjet clutch basket retaining rings. They worked like a champ! Born Free is THE main event. I wish I still lived in CA. Thanks Mike!
Thank You. Sorry you can't make it.
A beautiful bike we get to see you work on. Thank you. !!
Thank you too! We'll show her more.
Love to see old bikes still on the road , very nice .
More to come!
Thank you for this! Like to see work on older Harley's.
Thank You.
48 pan , id give my left "leg" for that . my fav harley ,old and new combined .fantastic vid thanks
Thank You.
Always love stopping by the garage even if it's not Mikes, have a blessed week my friends.
Thanks! You too!
👍🙂
Great information, I always learn something from your videos. Good tip on the snap rings, I've been burned by putting them on backwards before 👍
We're all learning all the time.
There is a land, so far away, that leaves me jealous every day,
they've sunshine, bikes & girls galore, five thousand miles outside their door,
from steaming jungle, to Alaska's cold; with that much room, can it ever get old?
Here in England our roads are short, with most of them being the bendy sort,
no prairie straights that run for days, just another hedge bottom well hid in the haze.
They hone your skills & eat your tyres, but leave scant room for other desires . . . like Fred's bike!
What an absolute beauty, over here we'd have it stuffed & mounted . . . just like everything else we catch!
(But enough, enough of this envious banter - can we have some footage of her out for a canter? : )
You know, it's a little tough sometimes. Fred and Cameraman Mike still work for a living. I'll have to take them out for a big breakfast and get them going for "Videos Out On The Road."
Ah, good point - we had to give Kevin Costner two Happy Meals just to play 'Robin Hood' - that was embarrassing! : )
🤞🙂
Nice old iron. I so like to see these old machines on the road. Thanks for keeping them going.
Glad you like them!
Great video Mike. I’m learning the right way to do things
Thank you for sharing. Very much enjoyed. Fred has a beautiful Pan.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank You.
Hi Mike! As it turned out I was installing a new compensator on my hot rod FLH sidecar rig today. Your comments on installing clutch plates properly came in handy. Interestingly, my pressure plate nuts have a cutout that matches a dimple on the plate. Makes it easy to properly set and true the plate.
Yes. They all do, unless they have the wrong nuts.
What a beautiful bike simply wow.
Yes indeed!
Thanks Mike love what you do 🙏🇺🇸
Thank You.
Very interesting again!
I do the same assembly (1st a metal plate), but with the same number of plates as original. The only thing what change is in the center of the "pile" of plates I put two "soft plates" together, so I finish as original tonthe pressure plate. Not easy to explain, but it works now for my rigid shovelhead with dry clutch. Before I changed every 2 years the aluminum clutchhouse. Cheers from France mate 👍
Cool, thanks
👍
Thank You.
Nice bike👍🏻
Yes it is. Fred done himself right proud.
I've never been a fan of primary belt drive.. rear belt drive to the rear wheel works great
On a kickstart only, with tin primaries, it's a massive improvement. Smoother, much cleaner and much less maintenance, not to mention your friends driveways. With cast, sealed up primary housings and electric starters, I run a stock primary chain. It's all in the application.
great info , thanks for sharing
Glad it was helpful!
Absolutely enjoy your videos. Good presentations. Would be interesting to hear some of your background stories of your life & times. Where, how you obtained this knowledge? I do have a friend in NY who is my " Doctor" for my '72 Shovel, you remind me of him. Thank you. Keep the vids coming sir.
Thank You. I do tell some of it in previous videos. It's just from working in shops and living. If you go to our UA-cam Homepage and click on the word "videos," there's two hundred thirty some videos up.
Never knew that about those snap rings
Cool.
Mike what is the messament on the Clutch Plate .... ???? You never said ...Great Job mate ...Danny Australia ASAP
1"
Awesome looking bike!!! Didn't know that about snap rings, great tip..✌🏻
Cool. Thank You.
HOWdy Mike,
in FRED's Garage
PanHead Clutch Rebuild
COOP
...
Thank You.
Mike, curious to know your thoughts about running an enclosed belt for primary drive. I've heard that the temps inside the covers get too high for a belt to live very long, especially with touring use [i.e., long distances]. What has been your experience? Thanks for your sharing and generosity.
My experience is "no problem." I always use a Kevlar belt and the last one that went bad was on my 52 Panhead with an enclosed primary. It is an 8mm Primo Rivera. I actually wore out the engine a couple times in 20 some years and finally pulled some teeth off the belt. It had outlasted any primary chains I've owned. Later models, (1965 and later) I run stock enclosed chains.
I was going to ask the same question. I spaced the derby cover on my shovelhead out about 1/4” for some ventilation, but not sure it’s even necessary.
Mike, and all...
I've been wrestling with Harley's antiquated 1941 clutch since 1967. When set up properly they work great, and when not, they don't
I see absolutely no purpose in the little rattly ball & spring buffers on the steel plates. Most later H-D clutches and all aftermarket clutches, such as Rivera Primo, and Barnett, do away with them.
Am I wrong?
Also. On my 1968 FL, I am reverting back to the original recirculating chain oiler since the flooded primary is a leaker on this bike, and messy if I have to open 'er up for service work. This is a newish build I am still sorting things out on. And, you made the comment that you still use the re circ system, and I can see why....
....RooDog....
Well, some like the buffers and some don't. I've run them with and without. If they're in good shape, I think they're fine, certainly quieter. If you don't like them, I get it. Okay by me. Sealing an early enclosed primary is nearly impossible. Yes, I run the stock recirculating system. It works great. And, I don't need to constantly check it.
@@pacificmike9501 If the buffer are in place I leave them installing them as you do, staggered. If any are damaged or missing, I don't sweat them, and do not bother replacing them, as I believe them to be useless. I have also seen some AM plates with rubber O rings, Now what a dumb idea, as they will surely break over time and could foul the clutch. In the Harley world there are a lot of dumb ideas floating around.
I've always believed (my dad was an old hotrodder and biker) that modifications, either mechanical or just for looks should be done for the purpose of improvement. I try to keep my custom stuff that way, I want it to work as well as I can do it. I'm always learning. I've got these old clutches down pretty well, then we made more power. There's some pretty nice units out there now, better than ever. But, you gotta be determined, possibly cut into our grocery money.
Nice 👍 work. !!
Thanks ✌️
Mike, How does Fred handle not having a stamped VIN? here it wouldn't be an issue - but I hear stateside they're very particular..
Off piste I apologise - the ramjet is such a great design. I ran a clutch without one for a while and it went around like a buckled wheel. Makes such a diff.
Laws and situations vary from state to state. Roger was quite an inventor and that part really works well.
another good one keep that rubber down C.T. of WEST VIRGINIA
Thank You. You too.
See you out on the road Mike
Thank You. I'll look forward to it.
Another great vid !! Keep it up
Thanks, will do!
Thank you
Thank You.
Fantastic .thank you!!
Thank you too!
Hello Mike. I have made many changes to my 98 Fatboy based on your wealth of experience. Any real life disadvantages of running an open primary instead of stock Evo setup. So much arm chair advise to be had. I'd be interested in your thoughts.
Thanks
On big twins 1965 and newer, I run stock primaries and electric starters. There are some nicer ones out there, but the stock system is pretty good. On the old bikes with tin primaries and kick start, I improve it with a belt drive, enclosed so it won't eat my foot.
Rest in Eternal Peace Roger RamJet...
Yes. Roger was quite a guy.
Another great vid Mike.
Mike I wondered if you would be able to tell me where I might be able to get a buddy seat spring set up for a saddle seat. I have finally found and bought a restored 46 Knuckle and as I weigh a bit I may need that extra bounce. Thanks ahead for any shops you can recomend.
Best bet is the swap meets for originals But repops are produced by Tedd Cycle in New York. You might be surprised when you turn up a set on Ebay.
@@pacificmike9501 dont hav many here in Australia that would have those parts. Ill keep looking and try where you suggested. Thanks..
I'm sure you can find it on Ebay. I do remember a time when a lot of Harleys went to Australia.
Greetings from Denmark. Have you any experience with long roller bearings instead of the original bearings? I ran it over 20 years on my knuckle. It had a problem with a wobbeling and noisy cluch, but after i switch to long roller and ram jet retainer (absolutly must) I never went back. 62 long roller also gives a lot more bearing surface than the 20 short ones, and it gives a little slack to install the clutchhub without losening the gearbox.
Tage
There are lots of combinations that we get stuck on because they work for us. Those are the good combinations.
Hi Mike, thanks for the great videos. I’ve seen a few videos of you doing clutch work and all have been with 3 finger clutch hubs. What’s your opinion on a 3 vs 5 finger hub?
Never saw the need for the 5 finger.
All's I'm gonna order is a ice water.
Okay.
Hey there Mike. I have a 1969 XLCH and I want to attempt to use a dry clutch. Have you ever done a Sportster dry clutch set up? Any tricks to sealing up the clutch basket?
Thanks, Mike. long time subber and liker.
I haven't been in one of those in a long time. But they are designed as a dry clutch and can be done quite well as per the factory service manual. I believe Tedd Cycle in New York stocks all of the parts for that clutch.
@@pacificmike9501 Thanks Mike. I'll touch bases with Tedd C.
Thanks man. Just bought a Sucker Punch Sally and it had fluid coming thru the shaft into the clutch pack. And it was overfilled. I thought i was gonna have to figure out some seals in the tranny (an Ultima). I wonder if Harley seals will fit that hub where you doubled up. Any how, thanks again.
Don't know exactly what you have. But, overfilling the trans will certainly cause it to leak.
Can you tell me mike, i have the same belt drive in my panhead all enclosed exactly same, will it overheat? Do you run it without the derby cover? Ive heard bad things
I run mine closed on both my Knuckle and my Panhead. The one on the Knuckle has been in there about 15 years or so and the Panhead, which has had a lot of use and traveling and on and on lasted until it pulled some teeth off at something like 23 or so years. Today's Kevlar belts are superb. Look through our videos when I replaced the belt on "Baby Doll."
Love your work always good all you guys do such a good job highly professional and Fred's work to enough said LEMAY
Thank You.
my name is mike, also,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
And we're lucky.
👍🙂
At least it wasn't your falt LEMAY NELSON THANK TO THE BOTHE OF YOU MIKE'S
Thank You.
I made a mistake I got a 1981 FLT the clutch was in bits and one plate was missing so I got a new set of plats and new springs but I could knot work out why the clutch was so stiff put new fork and bearing in the clutch release but was still stiff ran it for a year but just took it all down to have a good look and found out the springs they sent me were a bit longer and thicker stronger so I put old ones back and all is fine wish I had known there were difference springs my new ones were black with a white stripe on them
That one gets a little confusing. Same design from 37 - 84. Bound to be some changes.