I recently bought an '05 Sportster 1200c. This being my first ever HD(Im stoked), I am a little unsure of how the shifting should feel. Having riden dirtbikes for a number of years, I am used to very smooth shifting. All I can say is that the shifting on my Harley feels a little clunky.

Is this normal?

Being a one armed rider, I am contemplating buying the Rekluse Pro auto clutch but dont want to until I solve this issue or determine if its normal. I can pull the clutch with my stump and am making sure its all the way pulled before shifting.

When I release the clutch the engine doesnt engage until the clutch is nearly all the way released so im pretty sure it is being fully engaged and then some when its pulled all the way in.

Could it be something as simple as the wrong oil? I know the sportser has a wet clutch.

Are synthetic oils good for the HD engines?

Any help or advice you could give me would be great.

Bandit

 

You ever hear the term "shifts like a Harley" ? Now you know what they were talking about. Synthetics are great in the tranni (Mobile 75/90) but it will still CLUNK compared to any Jap/Euro bike.

 

+1 if it doesn't clunk there is something wrong with it. When it's cold let it warm up at least a minute or two and work the clutch lever 3-4 times before that initial clunk into first gear. I used the Harley Syn3 20w50 synthetic oil in my Sportster and had real good results with it.

 

Hey Bandit! I'd love it if you'd pm me on your set up. I lost my left arm last year & am planning to ride again as soon as I get the bucks for a new ride.

Oh, and Sporties always clunk into gear...At least mime did!

 

Thank you guys...

Ill think of it as a Harleyism