Interceptor VF500R

I've not had one fail, but I've stood at the side of the road looking at
the puddle of DOT3 under someone else's Laverda[1] & wondered how much
fun he'd have getting it home. He managed and only ran one red light.

Compare & contrast hydraulic clutch Laverdas with cable clutch ones

Aye, but you can pick 3mm balls out of the dust - try picking up 10cc of
DOT3 fluid...

Bob

[1] Not the best designed hydraulic clutch I've ever seen - it's
integral with the sprocket cover, has 1 unsupported O ring & is prone to
wear. When the seal started to go on mine we had to put more fluid in at
the top & bleed it from the bottom on a garage forecourt.

 

Yes, but decent maintenance will prevent a hydraulic system from wearing
out or corroding. I suspect the ultimate problem is those people who
don't do regular maintenance. But then you're looking at questions like
"given a person who doesn't do regular maintenance, which system is more
reliable?" and "given a person who doesn't do regular maintenance, are
they likely to be able to repair either system when it fails?" and
related ones. I don't know that these are particularly answerable.

I think that the issue isn't only the absolute mechanical advantage
available, but combine packaging with it. More mechanical advantage on a
cable system requires more space at one or both ends. This can be
problematic. More mechanical advantage in a hydraulic system means a
different ratio of diameters in the master cyl. versus slave cyl.

It's also worth considering the time and cost of assembly. Does the
hydraulic system have advantages here?

--
Later,
John



'indiana' is a 'nolnn' and 'hoosier' is a 'solkk'. Indiana doesn't solkk.

 

Well, I don't think of hydraulic clutches as low maintenance, any more
than I think of my hydraulic brakes as low maintenance. Both cable &
hydraulic clutches have needed about the same level of "looking after"
in my experience.

Anyway, the main advantage of hydraulic clutches in my mind is that it's
a LOT easier to route a hydraulic line than routing a cable. Cables are
picky about routing, and it's an absolute bitch if you move your bars
and want a longer one. With hydraulic, you just get a longer line and
Bob's yer uncle.

Personally, I like the feel of cable better, as the times I've used
hydraulic all the friction zone is right at the very end. That may just
be misadjustments in the bikes I've ridden, but a lot of those were
bike-week demo rides, with factory techs looking over the bikes, and the
factory wanting the bikes to look their best.

-gc

 

That's a thoughtful reply. I was thinking "cars" (as an obvious example
of where owners do little or no maintenance themselves), but then some
cars use hydraulic clutches and some use cable....

Mmmyes, but I don't think space is an issue, really.

Can't see there'd be much difference. What we're talking about is a
connection between two moving parts. Hook up a cable or hook up a hose?
Very little in it, I'd have thought.

 

Now that is *very* true and not something I'd considered.

 

Yeah, but automotive clutch cables live a rather sheltered life compared
to motorcycle ones.

I dunno. There's real issues with getting enough space under the clutch
cover for the actuator arm on some machines. At least, the empty space
used to provide clearance under that cover is pretty large on some '80s
UJM's that I've seen, and that space certainly isn't there on my VFR.
Levers are another example of what I'm thinking of. When you want a
certain mechanical advantage, you've strongly constrained the locations
of your cable perch and lever pivot, as well as the distance you need to
move the cable. These constraints might be significant in restricting
lever position, distance from the bar, etc.

I don't know how significant these factors are (the lever pivot/stroke
issue exists with hydraulics also, for example), but I think that
they're there, because I see engineers going to some pretty extreme
lengths to get narrower engines sometimes.

--
Later,
John



'indiana' is a 'nolnn' and 'hoosier' is a 'solkk'. Indiana doesn't solkk.

 

I was riding a 130bhp bike with a cable clutch, in 1984. The cable end
was some three inches away from the pivot point! So, I see what you
mean.

Fair comment. They're doing all sorts of things, yes.