Clutch slipping?
Thread Starter
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Banned
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 2
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From: minnesota
Clutch slipping?
Im in some need of help here. I have a 2007 street bob. Last fall I started to feel what seemed like my clutch slipping but now Im not so sure.
So basically when Im riding all gears except 3rd feel fine when I hit 3rd gear if I give it any power the bike revs up and I dont go anywhere, I can hear a sound that sounds like something is slipping but I dont know what. I thought it was my clutch slipping so I adjusted the clutch and it was still there. Then I replaced my clutch pack today and took it for a test dive and it is still there. Im not sure what direction to go next to find out whats wrong.
One thing I found interesting is when I was replacing my clutch I saw some marks on the inside of the outer primary cover. It looked like the primary chain had hit it at somepoint.
Im not to experienced with working on Harleys so Im not sure what is common on these bike and what I should check. Any help would be great.
So basically when Im riding all gears except 3rd feel fine when I hit 3rd gear if I give it any power the bike revs up and I dont go anywhere, I can hear a sound that sounds like something is slipping but I dont know what. I thought it was my clutch slipping so I adjusted the clutch and it was still there. Then I replaced my clutch pack today and took it for a test dive and it is still there. Im not sure what direction to go next to find out whats wrong.
One thing I found interesting is when I was replacing my clutch I saw some marks on the inside of the outer primary cover. It looked like the primary chain had hit it at somepoint.
Im not to experienced with working on Harleys so Im not sure what is common on these bike and what I should check. Any help would be great.
Tourer
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 381
Likes: 122
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia
I can't help directly, but maybe I can indirectly because I'm having the same issue. I had the same thing start to happen at the very end of my season last year: under heavy load in third gear, it would seem to slip. What that looks like, is when climbing up particular onramp to a highway and really getting on it in third, the engine would rev high but what was happening at the rear wheel did not match that at all. It felt like revving it in neutral. I'm not sure what I did, probably just backed off and didn't ask so much from it, and it was fine. It happened on my last two rides so I never got anywhere with it.
It sucks to read that you replaced the clutch pack, and it did nothing because I was hoping that would fix it, too. A few threads on here made me think that was a reasonable start given what I was seeing. I've been having doubts about my primary chain and was going to post about it to get help. Basically I had a shop do my forwards to mid conversion and I have reason to believe corners may have been cut. I was going to ask for help with what all else to look for and check while I do the clutch pack with regards to the primary chain while i'm in there.
I'll see if I can find the video of it and tell me if you heard the same thing. Out of nowhere it started to sound like the chain was loose and rattling around in there possibly hitting stuff. A very disconcerting metal-on-metal sound if I remember right. I did a thing where you engine brake and supposedly tighten up the chain which made the noise go away, but I'm not confident all is well in there.
It sucks to read that you replaced the clutch pack, and it did nothing because I was hoping that would fix it, too. A few threads on here made me think that was a reasonable start given what I was seeing. I've been having doubts about my primary chain and was going to post about it to get help. Basically I had a shop do my forwards to mid conversion and I have reason to believe corners may have been cut. I was going to ask for help with what all else to look for and check while I do the clutch pack with regards to the primary chain while i'm in there.
I'll see if I can find the video of it and tell me if you heard the same thing. Out of nowhere it started to sound like the chain was loose and rattling around in there possibly hitting stuff. A very disconcerting metal-on-metal sound if I remember right. I did a thing where you engine brake and supposedly tighten up the chain which made the noise go away, but I'm not confident all is well in there.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,046
Likes: 1,212
From: New Hampsha
It sounds like it's slipping out of gear. Slipping clutches are more pronounced in higher gears so it would be worse in 4th or 5th than third. Does the bike accelerate at all in 3rd? Does it "hook up" again if you let off the throttle? Noises? Does the behavior change if you hold the shifter up with your toe when you shift into 3rd?
Thread Starter
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Banned
Joined: Mar 2020
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From: minnesota
Thanks for replying! If I go really easy in third gear it will pickup in speed but I have to take the throttle really easy. If I let of it will grab again but go out as soon as I start giving it power. I will have to try and hold it in third tommrow and see if that helps.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 14
Likes: 5
From: Vernon BC
Sounds to me a couple of the clutch plates might be wearing out. Only way to tell for sure is to rip the clutch apart. I just checked and there are several videos on YouTube that show a step by step on how to do this. If your clutch is the issue I suggest upgrading to a kevlar clutch.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2018
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From: New Hampsha
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Stage III
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 2
From: minneapolis mn
Finally got some nice weather here in Minnesota to take it for a drive. After the discussion on here and the test drive I realize its in the tranny. I tried holding it into gear and it didnt change but its pretty noisy when it happens. Hard to hear where its coming from cause the exhaust is so loud but I think its time to tear the trans apart to check it out.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 4,126
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From: W. MI.
You said you aren't familiar with working on Harley's? Since you aren't sure about things I would take it to an Indy. Do you have a manual if you do decide to make a stab at a fix? Good luck.
Last edited by Bass Player; Mar 21, 2020 at 01:48 PM.