F3 SM owners- Some relief

[Lamonster]

As some of you may or may not know the clutch on the F3 is harder to pull in than on any other Spyder including the 1330 RT. The reason is for some reason they decided to leave out some of the valving needed for the vacuum assist. I was told within the next week or so there will be a "how to" for adding this to the F3. I plan on adding it to mine so I'll do a DIY here on the board. Now I won't have one Popeye arm when I'm stuck in stop and go traffic.

[Chupaca]

thanks for the update. It will help the few manuals out there. Thanks for keeping them in the loop...

[Mike,P]

As some of you may or may not know the clutch on the F3 is harder to pull in than on any other Spyder including the 1330 RT. The reason is for some reason they decided to leave out some of the valving needed for the vacuum assist. I was told within the next week or so there will be a "how to" for adding this to the F3. I plan on adding it to mine so I'll do a DIY here on the board. Now I won't have one Popeye arm when I'm stuck in stop and go traffic.

Thx Lamont

[smokedtires]

While I can't purchase until next year, this is great news. I have yet to test ride one, I sat on a F3 SM and instantly knew I would have to go with the SE model d/t the clutch lever being so stiff. I can't imagine stop and go traffic with that stock clutch lever.

[Lamonster]

While I can't purchase until next year, this is great news. I have yet to test ride one, I sat on a F3 SM and instantly knew I would have to go with the SE model d/t the clutch lever being so stiff. I can't imagine stop and go traffic with that stock clutch lever.

It's funny because the other day I did a parts install on a guys SM RT and when I went to move it I thought the clutch was shot because it pulled so easy. I guess I've gotten use to the F3 hard pull.

[Sarge707]

Thanks! The F3 is a hard pull But moving it to Position #3 or#4 helps? Look forwards to your help!

[SpyderAnn01]

I never realized that you had an SM on your F3, Lamont. I thought you were an SE guy. Is the new F3 T available in an SM or are they treating it like the RT Ltd and only making the SE in that model?

[Blickdave]

Thanks Lamont.....AGAIN you come back to us with valuable news! I thought maybe I was just getting more arthritis and getting to be a wimp. I've hated stop and go traffic for that reason and wished I had gotten the SE.. Great news!


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[griffontamer]

Thanks Lamont, this is good to know! When I was bringing mine home, I was stuck in some massive bumper to bumper traffic through parts of Oklahoma and Colorado. My left hand was all cramped up afterward! Will this upgrade void the warranty?

[fencepost]

I didn't notice the clutch pull being hard, but then again I rode a 66 Harley for 15 years in LA traffic. Maybe that is way California is the only state that allows lane splitting. With that being said I will be doing the upgrade. Thanks Lamont for the info.

[sidecarrick]

Try pulling on a 1975 Triumph Bonneville clutch!

[griffontamer]

Try pulling on a 1975 Triumph Bonneville clutch!

Ha ha, good point but I bet they didn't usually have insane 2-hour-long bumper to bumper traffic jams in 1975! New clutches are typically fairly easy to pull but the F3 one can get tiring after an hour of stop and go.

[petegtsv10]

I am eagerly awaiting this mod as clutch effort is the only complaint my wife has with her F3. Got caught in some traffic in Nashville today, she complained a bit, but said she's still happy about her decision to go with the SM6.

[one2doo]

Thanks bro looking forward to the parts.

[smokedtires]

Test rode a SM model today and was pleasantly surprised. The clutch handle wasn't as bad as I initially thought when just sitting on it. I'm no longer as concerned and with Lamont's mod wouldthink iit's just as easy as the auto (almost)

[Sarge707]

Well I go back and forth between the 2012 RT sm5 and the F3 sm6 and its 3 times as hard to hold the clutch on the F3 and if a person does NOT have a strong Hand they could let the clutch out and the machine WILL lurch Forward if you do???
Lets Take Care of this BRP????

[GA-SPYDER]

Thanks, Lamont.

[CanAmChris]

I other news... my shifting thumb has remained the same size and strength.

Glad BRP is taking care of this. My first demo ride was on an SM and I was glad I got the SE after that experience.

[loisk]

Thanks for this info, just if you would please clarify - is it a DIY job (and cost)? Or is BRP stepping up to the plate and putting in the missing valving for the vacuum assist at a service at their cost?

[Xyzzy]

My clutch pull is perfect.

There is a repair bulletin for the 2015 RT SM6 that has to do with a difficult clutch pull. I wonder if that is related to what Lamont is talking about? I can't find anything in my search.

The hoses may be incorrectly attached to the clutch assist solenoid. This will cause the clutch lever to be difficult to pull in. No other symptoms or damage to clutch are possible.

There is a diagnostic to see if your clutch assist is working:

Perform Clutch Assist Quick Test

1. With the engine not running, depress the clutch lever a few times.
   
   • Note clutch lever resistance.
   
   
2. Start engine and let run at idle.
   
   • Depress clutch lever a few times.
   
   
3. Compare lever resistance with and without engine running.
   
   • Lever must be easier to depress when the engine is running. Otherwise, inspect the clutch solenoid hose connections.
   
   

I am assuming (!) that the SM6 works the same on the RT as it does on the F3. You know what they say about assumptions!

YMMV

[Lamonster]

My clutch pull is perfect.

There is a repair bulletin for the 2015 RT SM6 that has to do with a difficult clutch pull. I wonder if that is related to what Lamont is talking about? I can't find anything in my search.



There is a diagnostic to see if your clutch assist is working:

Perform Clutch Assist Quick Test

1. With the engine not running, depress the clutch lever a few times.
   
   • Note clutch lever resistance.
   
   
2. Start engine and let run at idle.
   
   • Depress clutch lever a few times.
   
   
3. Compare lever resistance with and without engine running.
   
   • Lever must be easier to depress when the engine is running. Otherwise, inspect the clutch solenoid hose connections.
   
   

I am assuming (!) that the SM6 works the same on the RT as it does on the F3. You know what they say about assumptions!

YMMV

The F3 does not have the same parts needed as the RT. The fix will be a added valve and hose I believe. Still no word on that yet but I will post as soon as I have the info and parts list.

[petegtsv10]

Updates??

[1blackbeauty]

Any news on this yet?

[Kingcold]

Glad I am not the only one that has noticed this. Anticipating the fix.