BAKER Drivetrain Reintroduces the Function-Formed Hydraulic Side Cover for Harley-Davidson 5-Speeds

Hydraulic Clutch Conversion System Available in

Billet or Black Finish

HASLETT, MI – May 13, 2026 – BAKER Drivetrain, a leader in high-performance American engineering, today announced the return of the Function-Formed (FF) Hydraulic Side Cover. This precision-machined component converts traditional cable-style clutch systems to smooth, low-effort hydraulic operation.

Designed for riders looking to modernize their five-speed Harley-Davidson drivetrain, the cover and precision-designed internal components reduce clutch lever effort and makes the clutch system self-adjusting for moderate clutch plate wear.

The Hydraulic Side Cover represents the “true art” of mechanical design by focusing strictly on the parts that do the work. The BAKER engineering team moved the fluid ports and bleeder screw as close to the transmission as possible, resulting in a compact design that fits closer to the transmission than a stock cable cover. This “diet” even extends to the dipstick, which was redesigned to be smaller while still offering the same reliable performance.

“The Hydraulic Side Cover was the cornerstone of our Function-Formed line, and for good reason—it flat-out works,” says Bert Baker, co-founder of BAKER Drivetrain. “In the stop-and-go misery of city traffic or a heat-soaked highway backup, a heavy clutch pull is a drag. We engineered this to kill that hand fatigue, carving every bit of unnecessary mass out of billet for a tight, clean look to match its hardcore performance.”

Beyond its sleek aesthetic, the cover is precision-machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum in BAKER’s Haslett, Michigan facility. It features a 1.5″ diameter steel piston riding on high-grade Buna N O-rings, ensuring durability against transmission fluid and DOT 4 or DOT 5 fluids. The system is designed to pair perfectly with almost any brand of 11/16″ handlebar master cylinder, giving the owner total freedom in setting up their hand controls.

Fitment and Compatibility The BAKER Hydraulic Side Cover fits 1987–1999 Softail, Dyna, and FXR models; 2000–2006 Softails; and 2000–2005 Dynas. It is also compatible with 1993–2006 Touring models with the addition of an oil spout kit. This unit works with stock H-D 5-speeds as well as BAKER DD5, DD6, and OD6 transmissions.