Hitchcocks Forum

Afternoon peeps, I know there have been previous threads discussing the merits of this ingenious bit of kit - and those who developed it - as I am about to purchase one, how much improved is the gearchange? Keep having to adjust the clutch cable tension during each ride so will this keep things lined up nicely? Cheers, Peter.

I haven't had to fit one of these, but if you have a bad case of flex, it leads to the clutch dragging, which causes overheating in traffic and a steadily worsening gearchange until it becomes impossible to shift at all. This is annoyong and can be dangerous- it happened once that I stopped at the lights, couldn't get out of gear and the clutch locked completely, causing me to move off - just as the lights went green, luckily.
So, if your clutch drags, a huge improvement!

Yes it has gotten steadily worse so I hope this will be a significant improvement. I'll try to find one of the original threads if I get time later, or feel free to remind me where it was?

hi peter i fitted this modification in january on the diesel bike it is a 2004 indian market model ,the casing flex was not too bad but i thought i,d beef it up with mr h,s piece of precision engineered kit ,it does work i was happy ,so this is a good review well done to the guy who came up with the idea happy days paul.

Hi Peter - I put one on earlier this year. I also added 5 plate upgrade and the reduced friction plate, plus clutch has atf rather than engine oil. It now does not slip and drag is reduced significantly. It still drags a bit from 3rd to 2nd, but a firm exchange preceded by a blip on the throttle seems to work - no idea why, but it does. I rip along happily whilst still being alert to false neutrals which can happen at low speed going round a corner from traffic lights, ie a sharp left, but that is due to probably a lack of firm engagement. All in all, well worthwhile. If I tell you I overtook two fat Harleys today, whose riders had the biggest arses I have seen for a long time, then it suggests gearchange is OK, and the strengthener works as part of an integrated clutch management improvement strategy, including lubing the cable and proper routing. Those Harleys were brand new, £15k a pop, slow and cumbersome, not helped by aforesaid fat owners. The Enfield glided past, I felt good, but then I don't have a bulbous Harley. Harleys are designed for trans American straight rides, not twisty roads in the heart of Scotland.

It was me what thought it up and I've been very pleased with the improvement in my gear change and clutch clearance. What I would also suggest though to get a really thorough fix you pull the clutch apart and check the straightness of the plates for true. I found a couple of mine were uneven and one was slightly conical. I trued mine up on the lathe and hide hammered the conical one flat but the replacement kit is quite reasonably priced and I presume these have a better quality control than the factory fitted ones. The thing to remember is that even with the stiffener in there is very little room for error in the clutch adjustment so every little bit you can gain is worth having.

I recently installed this piece, along with the clutch pad w/bearing item. I also filed the clutch perch about an 1/8" where the lever makes contact. Along with properly adjusting the cable at the gearbox cover and the perch, and cleaning/checking the discs/plates and running ATF in the primary, I have no issues ever. I have sat at stops with the bike in gear and been able to snick it into neutral no problem. Cover all the bases and I'd think you should have similar results. And all that at minimal cost....just some tinkering time.

My tricks are lubed ajuster ball and 1 ball between the 2 parts of the clutch rod but the rod could be cut again with anouther ball .
Check the clutch center stops at the correct possition on gearbox shaft spline and does not foul bearing seal bolts , steel plates are flat and have burrs filed off on center location lugs .
Check ball race on clutch center have not burnt out or have become lumpy .
The nylock nut might need replacing or torqued up with mid strength lock-tight , check the state of the large spring washer .
Check that friction discs are flat ..if not then re-surface .
Check that if stiff cluch springs are used ( yellow paint ) that they are in the right order .
With Doughty levers and cable my clutch is very light and free and does not overheat anymore , before I never gave enough time to it and the thing would drag like crazy until I could get out the traffic or shut the engine down for it to cool .
Oh and the other thing I found out was never overtighten the drum bolts because they will let go in a big way leaving me stranded...all my own fault that time .

I fitted the strengthener last Saturday without touching any other part of the clutch system, and carried out a road test straight away after doing so. The improvement was immediately noticeable and it was very much easier to select neutral that it had been previously - so I am very satisfied. Prior to fitting the part, I could clearly see the flex in the casing, even with standard clutch springs fitted.

To hopefully further reduce reduce clutch drag, I have now stripped the primary side, and am about to fit new plates (as two of the metal ones had warped), new springs (heavier) and the clutch pad with bearing.
I also like Cafeman's idea for gaining an extra 1/8" travel on the cable (provided it doesn't make the reach to the lever too great for me) so I'm giong to investigate that too!

So... not too bad then? Thanks for your comments! It's on my list of birthday present ideas so i'll look forward to fitting it, then let you know how I get on. The other mods and upgrades sound good too so time and cash permitting this is also an option.