AE to standard clutch setup mod. Anyone done it?

[Persistant]

Sorry if it has been covered but I can't seem to find a search function while using my Ipad. I am considering buying a 06 AE but as they don't sell as well and I am not sure I will care for the auto clutch so I want to keep my options open if I don't. I would imagine it is the less expensive change to make rather than adding the AE feature.

 

[LKLD]

If I were you, I would ride it first for awhile, and see if you'd like it. I have 2 amigos on '06 & '07 AE's, and they love them. I don't think they would ever go back to a clutch. One time, we were riding to the Keys, and hit miles of stop and go traffic. It was at that time that I envied them on their AE's. You might end up loving it.

 

[RossKean]

If you can "try before you buy", I would recommend it. The auto-clutch isn't for everyone although most of those who have one like it. If you are really unsure, get a standard "A" model. I doubt that the cost and hassle of conversion would be worth it. I suspect it wouldn't be cheap unless you had access to good used parts.

 

[BkerChuck]

I would also suggest you visit one of the sites like Bikebandit or Partshark and look over the parts breakdowns between the two models and at least have a ballpark idea of just how many pieces must change to make it work. I've never heard of anyone doing this and I suspect it may be due to the expense and hassle that will be involved.

 

[ionbeam]

Even after the expense and hassle, you would still have a transmission with a different shift pattern, neutral is at the bottom and the 5 gears are all up from there. You would be into it for a master cylinder, perhaps shift linkages and hydraulic plumbing from the new master cylinder down to the slave cylinder. I dunno what the AE ECU software would think about losing clutch and shift control. Mcatrophy probably has a good handle on the potential software issues.

 

[wfooshee]

Can't find it, but someone bought an AE engine to replace the engine in their A, and converted it successfully. The bike itself was already an A, though, with the "regular" clutch lever, ECU, and stuff, and they moved some shifter parts from the old engine into the new to take care of the position of neutral as well as the other differences. (AE has a different shift drum, shift shaft, foot pedal, pretty much everything associated with changing gears.)

Converting the entire bike involves a rather larger amount of parts and pieces, including programmed electronics, so although it could probably be done, I don't see it being economically feasible.

 

[ionbeam]

Can't find it, but someone bought an AE engine to replace the engine in their A, and converted it successfully. The bike itself was already an A, though, with the "regular" clutch lever, ECU, and stuff, and they moved some shifter parts from the old engine into the new to take care of the position of neutral as well as the other differences. (AE has a different shift drum, shift shaft, foot pedal, pretty much everything associated with changing gears.)
Converting the entire bike involves a rather larger amount of parts and pieces, including programmed electronics, so although it could probably be done, I don't see it being economically feasible.

That would be Forumite JamesK in Japan.

 

[majicmaker]

Try it first. You are going to love it. If you don't, get an A. There's a bunch of good ones on the market.

 

[mcatrophy]

I have a vague memory of this being looked into before, but I can't find it.

...Mcatrophy probably has a good handle on the potential software issues.

Not sure about that, but I know of some significant differences. Gear indicator sensor is a switch on the A, a potentiometer on the AE, but from the "AE engine used in an A" mentioned above, the switch is easy to install. There may be differences in the ECU and the Meter Unit as they would expect to be able to communicate with the MCU (gear-change computer), and may well throw a tantrum if they can't see it. If you left the MCU there, it would create error codes on the meter display 'cos all its bits were no longer there.
The clutch hydraulics would need changing, you'd need the bits for the mechanical gear-change including the pedal, and for convenience of riding, you'd really want to change the gear selector cylinder as mentioned above.

All in all. I wouldn't consider it a practical proposition.

As an avid fan and long-time user of the YCC-S, I'd agree with magicmaker, try it for a while before committing yourself to attempt any change.

 

[Top_Speed1]

If you think you are going to have a lot of stop n go traffic, like a work commute bike.... AE is the ticket. I actually think the AE is the ticket in any situation but ONLY after you get use to it. Took me several 100 miles, and I wanted to take mine back after the first day. But, It grew on me!.

 

[mcatrophy]

Found the previous topic on the subject, in the end it didn't happen.

 

[Bounce]

Given the cost difference between otherwise-like models and the cost (and time) of all the parts needed to make the change, it would be more prudent to stick with the AE, sell it and get an A, or just get an A to begin with.

 

[BanjoBoy]

If I were you, I would ride it first for awhile, and see if you'd like it. I have 2 amigos on '06 & '07 AE's, and they love them. I don't think they would ever go back to a clutch. One time, we were riding to the Keys, and hit miles of stop and go traffic. It was at that time that I envied them on their AE's. You might end up loving it.

After bust'in my pinky finger (Crash'in my '07 A.) the bones grew back together overlapped. (I didn't have time to go to the Dr.) When I finally had time to go to the Dr. he said; "yer pinky broke, the bones grew together overlapped, so we need to re-break in, and set it right."

I wuz gonna do that so I bought an AE, (That way I could still ride w/ a gimpy left hand.) but I was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked. I never did get my pinky fixed, butt am enjoy'in the AE 'specially when I get stuck in traffic!

 

[Fred W]

Least expensive way to perform the change from AE to A is to sell the former and buy the latter, or vice versa. That should tell you something.