Help!

I have a 1980 FLT with the factory 5-speed tranny.

I have had it since 1992 and it has always been hard to shift, so I had the tranny rebuilt, took it back numerous times to no avail. It has gotten so bad that I cannot shift above 3rd gear. If I do, I can't get it back down without pulling over and turning off the motor.

I have adjusted the shifting pawl and replaced the clutch with a trick one but to no avail.

I need someone in the L.A. area that can work on this tranny.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

harley80

 

Buy a factory service manual if you don't have one already. It has the tranny rebuild procedure in it. Just follow all the steps carefully and you will most likely find the cause of the problem. Just because someone else rebuilt doesn't mean they did it right.

 

having to turn off the motor indicates a drag - which indicates clutch plates, clutch basket bearing etc.

 

When I shift from 1st to 2nd, to 3rd I have to pull up twice on my shift lever to get the next gear, but it shifts smoothly.
Same going down from 3rd to 2nd to 1st I have to push down twice to get the next lower gear, shifts smoothly and I can shift easily into neutral with the motor running.
It is when I am in 4th or 5th that I can't get it back down all of the time.
Some times I push hard down and it grinds and shifts down and some times it will not till I stop the motor.
[quote]ORIGINAL: One_Screamin_Eagle

 

That's most likely not a clutch problem, since you can shift into neutral with no trouble. I'd definitely tear it apart and reassemble as per the service manual.

 

I guess that's what I'll do.

Never liked going inside of trannys, bike or car..

 

I was apprehensive the first time I tore down a Harley tranny, but once I started doing it, following the book carefully, it was a breeze.

 

HD Transmissions are pretty simple. With the shifting problems you mention, I would start by pulling the top cover and removing the drum. This will allow you to inspect the shift forks. If they are straight and in one piece put the drum back on and then jack the rear tire off the ground and shift through the gears. Move the tire back and forth while shifting to look for problems.

It gets a little more complicated if you have to remove the cassette but you don't have to remove the entire transmission to work on or rebuild it.