Finding neutral difficult
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 807
Likes: 567
From: Detroit Metro Area
Argh...okay back on subject....
Here is a tip to try to find neutral on a stubborn machine. Works from first up if you are already stopped, or 2nd down if you are coasting... It may even work from second down when stopped but I never tried that.
When stopped with the clutch pulled in and the transmission in first, apply light upward pressure to the shifter (not enough to actually move it) and then *slightly* blip the throttle. It should click right in. Too much pressure and it may jump to second so it needs to be very light pressure.
When coasting...two options:
1. As you are coasting with the clutch pulled in and in second gear, apply slight downward pressure on the shifter as you are close to stopping and it will click in when the engine speed and transmission speed get to be 'just so.' If this is not working well then....
2. As you are coasting with the clutch pulled in and in second gear, apply slight downward pressure on the shifter as you are coasting and blip the throttle when you are close to stopping and it should click right in. You have to be rolling pretty slow for this to work. Higher speeds (like maybe 5 MPH) will need a bit higher rev to the blip but will still work.
My old 1999 Ultra would not go into N for anything at a stop and this was my work around. Worked very repeatedly. My 2018 has moments too and this works for that. It also works on my BMW. I also teach MSF courses and when the students have issues finding N on the training bikes I tell them to try this and they pop right in. Give it a try and let us know if it worked....
Here is a tip to try to find neutral on a stubborn machine. Works from first up if you are already stopped, or 2nd down if you are coasting... It may even work from second down when stopped but I never tried that.
When stopped with the clutch pulled in and the transmission in first, apply light upward pressure to the shifter (not enough to actually move it) and then *slightly* blip the throttle. It should click right in. Too much pressure and it may jump to second so it needs to be very light pressure.
When coasting...two options:
1. As you are coasting with the clutch pulled in and in second gear, apply slight downward pressure on the shifter as you are close to stopping and it will click in when the engine speed and transmission speed get to be 'just so.' If this is not working well then....
2. As you are coasting with the clutch pulled in and in second gear, apply slight downward pressure on the shifter as you are coasting and blip the throttle when you are close to stopping and it should click right in. You have to be rolling pretty slow for this to work. Higher speeds (like maybe 5 MPH) will need a bit higher rev to the blip but will still work.
My old 1999 Ultra would not go into N for anything at a stop and this was my work around. Worked very repeatedly. My 2018 has moments too and this works for that. It also works on my BMW. I also teach MSF courses and when the students have issues finding N on the training bikes I tell them to try this and they pop right in. Give it a try and let us know if it worked....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,310
Likes: 6,328
From: Honah Lee
Make sure linkage has free-play if not a hydraulic clutch. Some aftermarket shift rods with spherical bearings are too tight. When you pop it up out of first, if there is play in linkage, it will jump into neutral. The cam that the pin runs in is not designed to go from second to neutral.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
As I see it, I learn by asking questions. I simply asked him why he chose to put his bike into neutral when he stopped at a stop light, to find out why he chose to do so. If my interest in learning something from the OP bothers you in any way, than so be it, cause it's between the OP and myself,no one else.