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Trouble with finding neutral

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Old Jun 2, 2017 | 08:14 AM
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Default Trouble with finding neutral

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?
 
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Old Jun 2, 2017 | 08:21 AM
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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!
 
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Old Jun 2, 2017 | 08:35 AM
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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
 
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Old Jun 2, 2017 | 08:55 AM
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Originally Posted by IBDAGRIZ
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...
 
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Old Jun 2, 2017 | 09:22 AM
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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.
 
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Old Jun 2, 2017 | 09:52 AM
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After the clutch is adjusted... What primary oil are you using?
 
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Old Jun 2, 2017 | 11:26 AM
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Harley Davidson primary oil
 
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Old Jun 2, 2017 | 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by racehorse
Harley Davidson primary oil
Yeah. There's your problem. When I put that stuff in my primary, I could find neutral either.
 
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Old Jun 2, 2017 | 02:51 PM
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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.
 
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Old Jun 2, 2017 | 05:04 PM
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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
 
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