i have had a 2000 Sportster for a long time. I just picked up a 2007. It is very difficult to get in neutral. I watch the light blink as I rock back and forth between 1st and 2nd. I don't understand. I have never seen anything like this. The bike sat up for a while. I am hoping it will free up when I get some more shifts on it. Is this normal? I'm about to move the controls to the front. These side controls are killing my legs to get up and out of the way when I take off.

 

If this continues, maybe you should go back to what we know works: completely drain the primary/transmission and then fill it up again with one quart of Formula+.

If that still doesn't ease it up then we have bigger problems.

 

The newer Sportsters come with a reduced effort clutch kit from the factory. I've heard that those kits make it hard to find neutral on older bikes. I doubt they would sell brand new bikes with that issue though, so maybe you just need to adjust your clutch.

 

I have a 2007 XL1200L. It is not difficult to get into neutral unless I've overfilled the tranny/primary. Or unless your spring plate is about to blow.

 

never had a problem finding neutral.

 

Its seems to shift okay and the clutch is smooth and doesn't seem to slip or anything. The clutch handle seems about normal from what I can remember. I swapped my other bike over to a hydraulic clutch. My arthritis was killing me pulling the clutch handle. This one is probably not quite as bad as the 2000 before I went hydraulic. I haven't had time this weekend but next weekend I hope to change all the fluids and put some front control on. I think the front shocks might not have the correct fluid or maybe none at all. Ill do fork seals. I was wanting to do a Hammer kit and keep it since it is injected and has less miles than the 2000. When I checked the Hammer kit is about $2400. So now I have to decide which one I want to keep. I like the rubber mounted motor and fuel injection and less miles but the old bike is my baby. I have been all through it.

 

Solid mount pros:

*50 lbs lighter
*Easier to work on
*Less electronic crap to deal with

Rubber mount pros:

*Don't have to deal with a choke and cold starts
*Seems like much more aftermarket parts are available
*Newer

I've never ridden a rubber mounted bike but I still think I would prefer the simple carbureted bike. I would definitely keep the 2000 if you've had it forever and this new one already has issues.

 

Adjust clutch cable, problem solved

 

FYI - "Rubbermont" Sporties came about in 2004 - The Sporty got EFI in 2007.
2004 - 2006 rubbermount Sporties are carb bikes.

 

It seems that correcting every single one of Dale's posts is going to be a village effort. Thank you for your service. Until then the noobs are going to be subject to his opinions and bad advice. Yea internet!


sjoe,
I bet if you properly adjust the clutch as per the manual you will fix your problem. Adjust at both spots for piece of mind.