Im starting to have an issue where I roll to a stop, and my 2012 Nightster will not shift into neutral. I can slam the shifter and still nothing will happen. Obviously I havent done that but it feels stuck. Then when the bike is off, it will shift no problem. Any help?

 

A sportster will most likely not shift more than a gear while stopped.

Now if you stopped while in first or second gear, and cant find the neutral thats another story, and probably bad news.

 

Yea, thats the issue. I'll be slowing down and be in second. It will shift to first, then i'll try for neutral. No dice. It's intermittent though.

 

Is all your maintenance up to date? Any maintenance items coming up? Maybe adjust the clutch and primary chain and see where that gets you. Is it the stock clutch? How many miles on the bike?

 

Sounds like a dragging clutch. Probably just needs a clutch adjustment, for which you'll need a 1/2" wrench, a 9/16" wrench, a T27 Torx bit and ratchet, a flathead screwdriver, and a means of keeping the bike upright while you adjust it. A 2x4 under the kickstand will work just fine if you're careful.

 

Dan I've been riding almost 50 years and Harleys for most of that. The simple solution is to work your way down the gears, so as you come to a stop you snick into neutral. It isn't always possible to get into neutral while still moving, but I am normally in first gear when I stop. I cannot persuade my dear wife to do that , so she has a similar problem as you describe, when riding our Sporty. There's nothing wrong with our bike, as it always goes into neutral when I ride it!

It is worth checking your clutch adjustment, as long as you use the correct procedure (don't guess!), which may ease things a little.

 

Thanks everyone! I will look into this

 

In addition to shifting down through the gears as was mentioned...what type of lubrication are you running in the tranny??? And I recommend Mobile 1 in the tranny.....that chit is good with the gears and clutch.

 

I just changed my primary oil. I forgot the weights. It was having the issue before, and it is still having it

 

I think it's normal that when the bike is stopped, it might not go into neutral. Just move the bike forward a few inches and it will. I usually get it into neutral just before the bike comes to a complete stop, never have problems.