Tech tip #4: Lighter clutch on Harley Big Twin.

Harley-Davidson's new "drive package" Evolution 1340 that came in 1984 was a significant boost for the brand. The quality of the new engine was very good, but the clutch could present a challenge. It was heavy to say the least, but now there is a solution for both the Evolution and newer Big-Twins, developed in Norway by Deathtrap -Customs

The clutch on Harley's Big-Twins requires owners to be firm in their grip because it can be difficult to handle. However, the world is full of creative souls, and Kenneth Laurendz, who owns and operates Deathtrap-Customs in Ski, saw an opportunity to do something about the problem. He serves Harley customers, many of whom own a Big-Twin.

Kenneth therefore picked up a gearbox and found that by modernising the round plate that is pulled by the clutch cable, and which is part of the release mechanism inside the gearbox, the clutch would be up to 50% easier to operate. The secret lies in the fact that the three ball tracks that are milled into the plate, each of which is designed as a tiny counter-hill, are slacker. This means there is less resistance when you pull in the clutch lever, and that the engagement occurs when the lever is closer to the handlebars. Anatomically, this is smart because we are stronger in the pinch when our fingers are bent, and not stretched out. The fact that the part is CNC-milled and not cast also gives a better finish which helps reduce friction for the balls in the three grooves. He has been responsible for the modification himself, found a manufacturer, and sells it under the part name "Dead Hand Lite Clutch".

I thought I had to try this upgrade on my own 1990 Softail , so I switched to Deathrap's modified one. The results were more than noticeable, and the clutch now requires significantly less force. This is a highly recommended upgrade, and will fit most Big-Twin models from 1987-2026.