VF500F - Hydraulic vs. Mechanical Clutch

Any opinions on the pros and cons of switching from the stock hydraulic clutch to a mechanical clutch on the VF500F?

Thx!

 

Did you ever do this switchover?

 

I haven't made the switch but I did pick up a mechanical (cable) clutch from a fella who made one back in the day when he raced 500s. He did a smart job of it.

I've been keeping busy with a few other modifications but I do have this on the clipboard. When complete I'll post a follow-up.

Thanks for your interest.

If I could ask, are your considering this mod?

 

I'm not sure. Right now my bike has a tiny friction zone on the clutch and I'm not sure of the problem with it (or if there is one). I'm not sure if that is inherent to these bikes or not.

I've replaced and bled the master/slave cylinder which didn't help. Next up is rebuildling the slave cylinder. If it still doesn't feel right I guess I'll be going in to possibly replace clutch springs and plates.

 

5x5, hope you are able to dial this in.

 

5x5? I'm not sure what that is.

Nevermind. Wikipedia is my friend. I'll let you know what I find and please keep me posted on the conversion.

 

I don't think your clutch is fully and properly bled, Code. There is still air in the system, i believe.

 

ok, I'll give it another shot tonight...after I get the battery checked out.

Battery was DOA when I went to get the bike inspected today. I'm hoping that the battery is just old and needs to be replaced. It took a long time to get it charged when I first got the bike. Otherwise I'll be checking ground, regulator/rectifier, alternator... fun fun fun.

 

I've always like the feeling of a cable clutch very easy to modulate lil more harsh on the had were on the other end of the spectrum the hydraulic clutch self adjust and is much smoother

 

Ditto on that. Easier to work on/with.

 

I had a GSX400E with a mechanical clutch and then went to the VF500 and just loved the hydraulic.
No more jerky engaging, no oiling, no cable breaks, no burning pain from heavy use in traffic, no greasing the linear to rotary mechanism; I haven't missed any of them.
On the other hand cable is easier to be maintained (but does need a lot) and can be adjusted to fit your preference. The hydraulic is not adjustable (though not really needed for me but maybe with he right lever this can be done too) and sometimes is a pain to bleed but just that.

I wouldn't go for a mechanical and that's for sure.

 

IC - this sounds interesting. Care to post some pics of the assembly? I'm curious how it would work.

 

How did he go about it? Worm gear? Lever? We had a retired Muzzy Raptor at the shop I used to work for. It had a nifty lever type clutch actuator. Imagine a popsicle stick that has a pivot below the clutch rod and is pulled by a cable from the other end. How far out the cable attaches dictates lever pull.

Lumpy Chicken.

Most hydraulic clutches I've used aren't nearly as light and easy as they should be considering that is one of the reasons to have it.
A 400cc bike should have a super light clutch whether cable or hydraulic, did it have racer springs or something in it?

 

^ Thanks for your interest, Michael E and I-F.

Photos are forthcoming...