Finding neutral

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Aug 4, 2010 | 10:14 PM

#11

1997bagger

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 5,070

Likes: 2,115

From: Ohio

Blip the throttle and catch neutral on the way up or back down, synthetic trans fluid help a little, atf in the primary helped a little.

Aug 4, 2010 | 11:36 PM

#12

IronGear

Tourer

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 293

Likes: 7

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nautilus

My 1995 fatty doesn't like going into neutral, always wants to stay in gear ready to get going again lol
I have to blimp the throttle sometimes, and sometimes not... it's quite normal on Harleys to have a hard time finding neutral...
Best fix... never stop, that way u don't have the need to find it

It is completely NOT normal to have trouble finding neutral on a harley
It may be common and usual, but it is not normal.
A 95 model should (and can) find neutral very easily.
As can an 85 model.

Aug 5, 2010 | 06:17 AM

#13

Tom84FXST

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 15,705

Likes: 22,718

From: Farmington ,MS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug S

Oil that is too heavy or over full in the primary will cause that trouble,

I run heavy gear oil in my primary and it goes right into neutral...no problems. I find that most times the culprit is a too tight primary chain...you must find the tight spot in the chain before adjusting it.

Aug 5, 2010 | 08:01 AM

#14

carlgrover

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 8,852

Likes: 2,493

From: Decatur, Alabama

My 98 goes into neutral fairly easily if it is still rolling. When stopped it can be a pain.

Aug 5, 2010 | 09:18 AM

#15

grbrown

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 45,429

Likes: 2,897

From: Bedford UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlgrover

My 98 goes into neutral fairly easily if it is still rolling. When stopped it can be a pain.

That's the same with my 1990 Glide AND 2003 Dyna! The Dyna is not so bad I must say, but not perfect. My Buells have not had the same problem, so it seems to be big twin related.

If any of you chaps who reckon it can be adjusted right would like to pop over I would be obliged!

Aug 5, 2010 | 09:23 AM

#16

Dr.Hess

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 8,195

Likes: 3,085

From: NW AR

I'll give it a try, Graham. Send me a ticket. And I want to tour Hethel while I'm in the neighborhood.

Aug 5, 2010 | 09:34 AM

#17

Nautilus

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 309

Likes: 2

From: Tegucigalpa

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronGear

It is completely NOT normal to have trouble finding neutral on a harley
It may be common and usual, but it is not normal.
A 95 model should (and can) find neutral very easily.
As can an 85 model.

So much ppl claim to have at least some trouble finding it don't they? would that make it common enough as to be considered normal for a harley since they haven't actually adressed this issue?? :P

My dad's 05 RK had the same ability to "find" neutral as my 95...
Everyone I've rode with and know of has spent half a minute or more searching for nuetral at some point... even new bikes right out of the dealer...

I've come to condier it more of a harley trait... such as the loud "clank" when shifting to first... doesn't sound right... we all know that, but it's still there after year and year and model and model...
bottom line is... it's not a real worry for most of us unless we CAN'T find it...

btw... forgot about a little hint.... when ur in a stop light and wanna go for neutral... go all the way to first and then gently tap it the lever up (or down on the heel shift) and it should be easier to find it...

Aug 5, 2010 | 01:26 PM

#18

Tomcatt78

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 35

Likes: 0

I did put a new drive belt on and it could be a little too tight. I've done some research on belt tightness and there doesn't seem to be a clear answer. The deflection should be around 5/16 to 3/8 with 10lbs pressure at the tightest spot. I called a dealer to see if they have a tension gauge but they didn't. How do you find the tightest spot though?