I am completing the rebuild of this bike and got her running great but the clutch won't engage. I've tried adjusting the clutch cable and had the adjuster turned all the way in and just barely touching the shaft from the adjuster to the lever on the other side. I also tried moving the spring plate to all 3 positions, A, B, and C.

I had it taken apart when I rebuilt the engine and all the plates were within spec and all other components looked to be in good shape. I reassembled it according to the HD manual as far as torques and component placement.

I thought I did it correctly but there's this problem now. Frustration sets in.... Any help will be much appreciated

 

Your problem is most likely where the cable enters the tranny from the right side. Look in your manual about cable replacement. follow the directions like you are putting in a brand new cable.
If the clutch lever was moved while everything was apart, the end of the cable got un hooked inside. It's not a big deal, just a pain in the ***!
I set my plate to "C" for the strongest setting. Loosen off the adjuster screw in the clutch pack & loosen off the main adjuster half way down the cable near your front tire on the left of the bike.
Keep us posted!
Hatch.

 

hatchetman, his clutch cable doesn't go into the tranny side cover. It attaches to an external arm, like God intended clutch cables to do, as they did from the beginning of time until them new-fangled ones in 1987.

RudeDog, when you say the clutch won't engage, you mean the motor just spins and power won't go to the transmission regardless of pulling or not pulling on the clutch lever, or do you mean the clutch won't disengage, disconnecting power from the motor to the transmission so you can shift into 1st? I'm just trying to get our terminology in sync, as a clutch not connecting any power to the transmission is very rare, given your circumstances.

 

dog, what time are you home in the afternoon? i'll see if i can get over there on monday, if that works for you. i'll need a chair to sit on. belly is still hurtin'.

 

The engine is in constant contact with the transmission... Meaning I can shift fron neutral into first and Whether I have the clutch lever pulled in or not there is always power going to the rear wheel. i.e. I have the bike in first gear and roll it forward with the clutch pulled in and it turns the engine over.

Hope that clears things up.
Bagga, I'll be home after 4 P.M. and I have a chair, but if it's going to hurt then don't risk it. No sense in hurting yourself over this.

Thanks for the help so far... Much appreciated!

 

OK, that's the clutch not disengaging, which is a different problem than not engaging. Hopefully bagga can check you out, but in the mean time, make sure the adjustment is per the book. Straight edge across where the book shows, etc. Look at the clutch end with the derby cover off while you pull the lever. Is it moving?

 

Thanks for taking the time to help me diagnose the problem, I'll bet it's something real simple that I'm not catching, lol.

yes Doc the center is pushing out when the lever is pulled in so it should be doing something ? ? ?

 

It should be disengaging, then. Did you set the clearance like the book says? Not just at the handlebar, at the clutch hub. Otherwise, I think something must be in wrong and I don't know what to suggest other than take it apart and look.

 

i looked in my parts book to refresh my memory, there should be 7 steel and 6 friction discs. steel goes in first. the plates should be oiled before installation. maybe they're sticking. dog,i didn't have a vehicle today my son is moving out of the house and he had all the vehicles tied up with stuff in them. so i was a no-show.

 

I think I'll have to take it apart and have a look inside to see what's up. I did try adjusting at the cable and hub but no luck.

I think I'll tear it apart when you can get over here Bagga that way I have an extra set of eyes to see what I might miss. Thanks for offering to stop by again it's much appreciated. I'm not in a rush to get it done because we still have to get the turn signals, connect them up and find an alternate seat that I can make fit on there.

On the plus side.... We got it running and it sounds GREAT with them straight pipes on there.