Can someone describe to me in simple terms how you can tell if your clutch needs adjustment? If some of you have read some of my posts. I'm not very happy after my 1000k service. I had them install new handlebars and adjust heel shifter and they said they checked the clutch. I've had it back to them and they say clutch is ok and they found nothing wrong with heel toe shifter. Maybe I'm a bit paranoid because of the sloppy job they did on the handlebar installment and am looking for things. But it seems I have to give it more throttle on starts than when I first brought the bike home new. Also as I mentioned in a previous post, it doesn't go into first gear (some of the time) with the familiar Harley clunk that it had before the service. But again maybe it's just me and there is nothing wrong and I need to just ride it and stop looking for stuff.

 

symptoms of a slipping clutch are generally that you are on the throttle and the RPMs are going up, but your speed doesn't match (i.e. you're not going anywhere). Just because you don't have the "clunk" doesn't mean that you are slipping.

 

you say the handlebars were changed...it could be that since the clutch cable was removed it is not in the same adjustment as before. One or two turns on the clutch turnbuckle can make a big difference in the way the cluth "feels". If you have to release the cluth lever more than usual to make the clutch 'grab' then a slight adjustment will correct that. Same if your cluth lever is too tight...meaning, any movement at all on the lever will release the clutch and off you go. This is about a 10 minute fix.
Really doesnt sound like a fault clutch, per sey, but more like a mis-adjustment.

 

Thanks for the help. Much appreciated.

 

Like above,
If clutch handle is fully released and you're driving down the road,
You start up a hill go apply more throttle and engine RPM's increase
but bike speed doesn't, then the clutch may be slipping.

different techs adjust the clutch release a little different.
If you don't like the release (how it feels) and no mechanical problems exist
learn to adjust the clutch yourself.
It's easy to do takes about 20 minutes all total and the service manual explains
how to do it.
Quick check:
on average the bike should start to move when the clutch handle is about 1/2 way
out in its movement (some like more some like less).
then where the cable enters the housing bracket. HAndle released, pull out on the cable.
the silver ferrule should move aout 1/8 inch

 

When you apply a lot of throttle after a upshift and you get a feeling your rear tire is spinning and you let off the throttle and it grabs,your clutch is probably slipping.

 

Riding a steady speed in an upper gear, quickly pull in the clutch and pop it out while holding the gas steady. If the engine revs when you pull in and doesn't bog when you pop the lever out, your clutch is slipping.