I have a 1997 Fatboy and have had it since new. Over the last few years it has become more and more difficult to put it in neutral. I only ride a couple of times a year. (I have other bikes). Yesterday I was not unable to find neutral at all or even see a flash of the neutral light. Any ideas?

 

I had an 07 and now a 2017. I've had trouble finding neutral on both at times. When this happens I put it in 1st and let the clutch out slowly for a split second then try again to find neutral and it usually goes right in. I honestly believe it's just a Harley thing!

 

Plates are probably a bit gummed up and cleaning them will do wonders for your issue as a rule.

Easiest would be to go thru the adjustment process first to make sure it isn't just out a bit.

Griz

 

Get the FSM and adjust the clutch...

 

I agree that your first action should be to adjust the clutch, at the clutch. There are a couple of Stickies in the Tech Primary section with instructions. I've owned my 1990 Glide from new and always had that problem, to a degree. My main strategy is simply to snick into neutral while still rolling, whenever possible. Having adjusted the clutch I also take out most of the cable slack. Another solution I have only just done is to swap the clutch plates for Barnett +1 kevlar, which come with a reputation for solving this problem.

 

After the clutch is adjusted... What primary oil are you using?

 

Harley Davidson primary oil

 

Yeah. There's your problem. When I put that stuff in my primary, I could find neutral either.

 

Started to get harder and harder to find neutral in my new to me 96 RK a while back.
PO had some kind of thick (smelled like gear oil?) oil in the primary. Changed to Redline primary oil and clutch adjustment, no more probs.

 

in the shop today we only use ATF transmission fluid

but I have seen the syrup Harley sells will swell the paper on the clutch discs, so after switching it if it does not fix it replace the discs -- alto red discs is a great product and very inexpensive - its also the same material used in 2 speed power glides drag racing transmissions