Foot clutch release rod hits outer primary

Fitment issues

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roman
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Foot clutch release rod hits outer primary

#1

Post by roman »

I have checked Palmers and parts seem right but the rod hits top of outer primary even before it’s attached.
The foot lever mounting bracket is the Type 2,“no zerk”, long pivot boss part. The foot petal has the 1/4 inch dog leg at the rear. The rod is straight. In the pics see how the rod end can’t reach the pivot stud as already hitting the primary. The tin was old and came with the basket case. Seem the pivot stud on the rocker petal is positioned too low. Thanks
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Re: Foot clutch release rod hits outer primary

#2

Post by lpd1snipe »

I'm sure there are more knowledgeable on this forum. I'm not sure exactly what you're asking, you may have wrong rod? To my knowledge of riding on the street since 1970 or so, Pan/Knuck & Flathead Clutch rods come in several lengths. Stock Mousetrap length, stock rocker clutch length and aftermarket suicide clutch pedal length. The clutch rocker rod is same length to 1979 as some big twins were special order foot clutch until then. The clutch release lever was same 1936 to 1964, then dogleg lever used only on 1965 to 1967 to clear aluminum primary, then 1968 up mousetrap eliminator release lever came out.
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Re: Foot clutch release rod hits outer primary

#3

Post by RUBONE »

Most rods are quite close and often lightly touch the primary, however yours doesn't even look close. What frame is it? What if any parts are reproduction?
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Re: Foot clutch release rod hits outer primary

#4

Post by flatheadDave »

WOW this just happened to me too, and here's what's going on.

You need the correct primary cover to use. The cover that you are using is for use with a compensator sprocket installed and is wider than the OEM primary cover. The correct primary cover is low profile. Its very easily confused with the compensator style of tin primary. I had to buy a couple at the swap meet to get this problem solved.

Heres some pictures.
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flatheadDave
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Re: Foot clutch release rod hits outer primary

#5

Post by flatheadDave »

These are pictures of the correct style to use with the foot clutch. like I mentioned -you can't use a compensator sprocket installed. you need the direct drive main sprocket.
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flatheadDave
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Re: Foot clutch release rod hits outer primary

#6

Post by flatheadDave »

Also, your speedo cable mount on the vin is upside down... is this the bike in Hawaii that I was reading about in the forum?
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Re: Foot clutch release rod hits outer primary

#7

Post by RUBONE »

Those primary cover posts are nonsense. H-D used a foot clutch with hand shift on tens of thousands of bikes after '55 when the primary changed. The primary was used on every big twin from '55 up regardless of sprocket type. That is not the problem. Most Police departments used handshift along with compensator sprockets from '55 -'64 with no issues. I can provide plenty of pictures if needed. Most of that stuff pictured is aftermarket (H-D never sold a diamond primary for a compensator, that is all aftermarket).
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Re: Foot clutch release rod hits outer primary

#8

Post by Pete808 »

flatheadDave wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 2:17 am Also, your speedo cable mount on the vin is upside down... is this the bike in Hawaii that I was reading about in the forum?
Different bike, the one in Hawaii I posted was a 51 FL that I am picking up on Monday.
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Re: Foot clutch release rod hits outer primary

#9

Post by lpd1snipe »

I definitely agree with Rubone on this one. Also from 1970 to 1979 an additional aluminum spacer block was used between the frame mount and the rocker clutch mount for clearance.
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Re: Foot clutch release rod hits outer primary

#10

Post by Andygears »

I may be wrong but put the rod over your knee and put a little bend in it. Make sure the bend is not in the threaded area.

Andygears
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Re: Foot clutch release rod hits outer primary

#11

Post by hydra74 »

They also used 3 bushings between the frame and the bracket to move it to the outside for more clearence

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roman
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Re: Foot clutch release rod hits outer primary

#12

Post by roman »

Andygears wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 1:50 pm I may be wrong but put the rod over your knee and put a little bend in it. Make sure the bend is not in the threaded area.

Andygears
Andygears - I considered it but figured it would straighten out after repeated engagement/disengagement. Maybe an option
roman
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Re: Foot clutch release rod hits outer primary

#13

Post by roman »

flatheadDave wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 2:17 am Also, your speedo cable mount on the vin is upside down... is this the bike in Hawaii that I was reading about in the forum?
thank you, not the Hawaii bike. This does have compensating sprocket assembly. When this engine was in a rigid frame choppper, there was no interference issue.
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Re: Foot clutch release rod hits outer primary

#14

Post by roman »

Here are some additional pics of the clutch pedal off the bike and the mounting bracket, thanks for your comments
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Re: Foot clutch release rod hits outer primary

#15

Post by panz4ever »

lpd1snipe wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 1:26 pm I definitely agree with Rubone on this one. Also from 1970 to 1979 an additional aluminum spacer block was used between the frame mount and the rocker clutch mount for clearance.
That became a necessity when the aluminum inner/outer primary came into being.. Rocker clutch with the standard mounting plate won't clear the range of motion needed to engage/disengage clutch.
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