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Hadn't realised it was so bad, will get a proper manual. Is it downloadable yet or does the moco still frown upon that?
Steve
Unfortunately no such luck, it is only available as a doorstep of a book. Any Harley dealer can supply, even if they don't have yours in stock. This is the correct book, on Ebay in Germany, #121927618482, however don't buy that one as a new one is cheaper and you don't need to pay postage. Harley part number is: 99482-90, about Ł60.
The factory service manuals in the 80`s called out a level that was way too high.
My 1985 to 1989 Softail factory service manual says:
"Fill to bottom of clutch inspection cover opening with vehicle upright".
This is the correct level (bike standing upright) for all wet clutches, it should be no higher, but a little lower is fine.
That's interesting. I've checked my Glide book which for '84-'89 agrees with yours, only the '90 clutch has the oil level to the level in your diagram.
Steve, my first comment is sort of wrong, although getting the factory manual is a jolly good thing!
Steve, hello old chap. I get the feeling you are not using a factory service manual! The correct oil level is lower than you state, also clutch adjustment involves a touching little procedure, which you can find here, where you will find two Stickies.
I was thinking the same thing. Sounds like he has an assload of fluid in there.
Ta peeps, will see how I get on with the revised oil level.
The 'how to adjust a clutch' on the stickys, they seem quite general for model years(unless I missed something) my bike doesn't have a clutch cable with an intermediatory adjuster, just one at the gearbox end, seems to do the job though. What is the possibility of clutch cable stretching in use and affecting the amount of effective travel?
The clutch cables are redundant golden gate bridge cables! The darned things are tough as old boots. I only recently changed the original cable on my '90 Glide, mainly because the old one had become stiff to pull, not that it had stretched. I use a H-D Diamondback, which is marvellously light and smooth, in fact so good that I removed the clutch lightening device I had installed some years previously.
On later bikes the clutch lever at the gearbox end is internal, which is why the cable design changed. Yours is fine with the adjuster where it is. Only if the adjuster won't properly engage the lever is there any need to be concerned about stretch - but I doubt if it will get to that!
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