so to fix a leaky clutch cable
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 168
From: Knoxville, Tn
Clutch Cable
Check out the post made by FDX2003Rider before you change the oring out.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...placement.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...placement.html
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,427
Likes: 2
From: Smack Dab in the Middle of Louisiana
Not unless you "want" to change the cable also............... O-ring and maybe the housing gasket.
If it is going to eat at you in the back of your head, then go through the set it up completely for peace of mind.
If it is going to eat at you in the back of your head, then go through the set it up completely for peace of mind.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 1,985
From: Cleveland Zoo
Do yourself a favor, the new cables from Harley or if you get one from Magnum are coated and have a Teflon inner sleeve for a smoother pull. I did the easy pull conversion on mine, is was offered by harley to upgrade the older bikes to 2006 specs, it's a new lever for the trans cover that has more leverage and new outer clutch spring. I fit the clutch spring on right through the derby cover. I can one finger my clutch now.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 472
Likes: 2
From: Hutchinson, Ks.
Are you sure thats where the oil is coming from? I thought the same thing so I pulled the clutch cover, took the clutch cable out, inspected the oring, and it was fine. So i put it all back together, cleaning it real well to be sure this time I could watch it real well and see where it was coming from. Turns out it was where the black cable was spliced into the metal up by the housing. I put a little double sided silicone tape around it and a little bit of electrical tape around that to hold the silicone tape while it cures. I know its farmerified but it will work til this winter and ill just swap out the cable.
Not saying its not you're oring, this just might be something to check too.
Not saying its not you're oring, this just might be something to check too.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 14
From: Central Ohio
As you may already know... do not over tighten the cable/trans cover connection.
It's very easy to break the cable threads. Use a little lock tight, a new cable should already have some applied.
It's very easy to break the cable threads. Use a little lock tight, a new cable should already have some applied.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,788
Likes: 1
From: Maine
Every time I had a leak in a clutch cable, it was due to a split in the cable.
I don't know where you are at in trouble shooting results, but you may want to pull the cable off and inspect it closely. Speaking the obvious here, but, worth mentioning.
I don't know where you are at in trouble shooting results, but you may want to pull the cable off and inspect it closely. Speaking the obvious here, but, worth mentioning.
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I have had the same issue last year (see this thread, images included).
When I had detached clutch cable at the clutch lever I found out that the cable fitting had loosened from the cover. This caused oil sweating out and collecting at the lowest point of the clutch cable.....
Re-tightening the cable fitting probably could have solved the problem but changed the clutch cable anyway(FXDP type +2 inch over stock).
If this doesn't stop the oil sweating out, I'd replace the o-ring. If the cable doesn't show any fray, IMO there's no need to replace it. A few drips of engine oil every 4000 miles makes it run smoothly.
When replacing the clutch cable be careful not to ruin the thread in the cover!
Here's how I did it:
...
1. I hung the clutch cable from the ceiling in my garage using a string
2. Sat underneath it with the clutch release cover between my knees
3. Grabbed the threaded end of the clutch cable, inserted the cable end into the threaded hole and positioned the cable in line with the cover
4. Once the two threaded parts get together, I first slowly turned the cable counter clockwise until I felt the threads falling together
5. From that point I slowly turned the cable's threaded end clockwise. When you don't feel any resistance you're OK!
1. I hung the clutch cable from the ceiling in my garage using a string
2. Sat underneath it with the clutch release cover between my knees
3. Grabbed the threaded end of the clutch cable, inserted the cable end into the threaded hole and positioned the cable in line with the cover
4. Once the two threaded parts get together, I first slowly turned the cable counter clockwise until I felt the threads falling together
5. From that point I slowly turned the cable's threaded end clockwise. When you don't feel any resistance you're OK!
Loosen/fasten the bolts in this sequence:
Last edited by FXD2003Rider; Apr 25, 2020 at 07:13 AM.
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