F3 Clutch updated to vacuum assist.....

[EricP]

And to make matters even more confusing, BRP dropped the manual option from the F3T and L for 2018. Not available on the RTL either and the RTS was discontinued.

So now the only bikes available with the manual are the base model F3 and base model RT.

...odd - BRP's website shows the 2018 F3-S and F3-T as having a manual option (selected for them to "help me choose" and then selected manual transmission from the filter options).
.....maybe they're stopped in 2019? ....or for only specific markets for 2018?

 

[Sarge707]

To tell you the truth I LOVED the 5 Speed manual on my 2012 RT because of the ease of shifting and the wide Gears- Hitting 60 in 2nd Gear- Now my 2015 F3 (With the vacuum assist) is More of a Pain in the Butt because of the gearing? If I were getting a 6 speed I would get the SE6 !!!

 

[ofdave]

fortunately I do not have a problem with the clutch effort but I have heard several who do.
I notice that the Spyder hydraulic line is a somewhat small diameter(at least to me).
At a Honda dealer today I looked at the size of the hydraulic clutch lines on other bikes to compare.
A Honda Wing, and some other Honda have larger diameter lines as do BMW and Yamaha.
I would look to those with hydraulic experience to comment on what a larger line might do to lessen the force needed to operate a hydraulic clutch.
Not offering this as a suggestion, just a curious question.​

 

[CA Railwhale]

Part number

Well, I did it this weekend... installed the F3 upgrade clutch 'kit' to get the vacuum assist.
I have the installation instructions from BRP in a PDF format... going to doctor them up a little and then will share with anyone who wants them.
It's a simple install, but also a pain in the ass. Getting the hose that runs from the clutch cover to the intake snorkel off the intake was a royal pain.... and I ended up breaking the 'nipple' off. :gaah:

I've got some pics I'll share when I get some time. Instead of trying to epoxy the 'nipple' back on I decided to plug the hole and then just drill a new one into the snorkel. I then used a 1/4" threaded to barbed PVC fitting and epoxied it to the snorkel. At least I think it was 1/4"...it was small for sure. This gave it better stability since the threaded part went inside of the snorkel. The hose went on the barbed side just fine.
The hoses are barely long enough to reach to the other side where they have you put the solenoid, which I ended up zip tying instead of mounting with screws.. it's just too damn tight to do much work in there!

One thing the instructions leave out is which way to have the arrow on the check valve point. It should point TOWARDS the air intake (away from the solenoid).

Anyhow.. it works like a charm and my carpal tunnel will be happier now!

While I had it apart I also put in Lamont's LED headlight bulbs and his LED foglight kit. Both were super simple installs and well made products.

If anyone wants a copy of the PDF install for the clutch, send me a PM with your email and I'll forward it over. I'll also try and see how to post a PDF out here.

Do you have the part number for the kit to get the vacuum assist? I was just at my dealer and they couldn't find it. Never mind, I found the pdf file that was posted. Sorry about that.

 

[CA Railwhale]

costs

Do you have the part number for the kit to get the vacuum assist? I was just at my dealer and they couldn't find it. Never mind, I found the pdf file that was posted. Sorry about that.

The parts for the vacuum assist are in, parts cost is $170.00 and the dealer estimates a hour and a half labor for the installation. Total about $340.00 and it looks to be well worth it since I now have clutch elbow and the doctor won't allow me to ride the bike.

 

[CA Railwhale]

installation complete

The dealer installed the vacuum assist today. It's an immense improvement. The funny thing is that they couldn't find the service bulletin and when they called BRP they were first told it woldn't work on a F3, then they got a call back from someone else who got them the documentation.

 

[Rfstuart]

I would appreciate very much if you could send me a copy of the F3 clutch assist system instructions. Thanks
Randy Stuart
[email protected]

 

[oldrcluvr]

Was it a newer model you test drove ? I’m about to buy a manual clutch one but never tried one so I might want to reconsider