Finding Neutral ???
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
I couldn't get my bike in neutral when stopped, so I was
holding the clutch in to start it. My cantankerous friend who has been riding Harley's for 40 years yelled at me. He said that was hard on the clutch and I should hold the clutch in and rock the bike to pop it into N easy. By golly it works every time!
holding the clutch in to start it. My cantankerous friend who has been riding Harley's for 40 years yelled at me. He said that was hard on the clutch and I should hold the clutch in and rock the bike to pop it into N easy. By golly it works every time!
Last edited by Ron750; Jun 13, 2011 at 07:32 AM. Reason: spelling
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Ah yes, the elusive "neutral" gear. Hard to find, easy to enjoy.
+1 for the clutch adjustment (and regardless of what others say, do the adjustment at room temperature).
+1 for the fluid. Make sure there is not too much in the primary.
+1 for the clutch adjustment (and regardless of what others say, do the adjustment at room temperature).
+1 for the fluid. Make sure there is not too much in the primary.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,198
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
This one would pay for itself the first time you used it:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DRUMMOND-ROUND...item25645078f4
One of these by the 2nd:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Boxford-Lathe-...item3f0a7d7b59
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/boxford-lathe-...item25644849e5
Or you can buy a new Chinese one from Harbor Freight or whatever equivalent you have over there for around $800:
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-...the-44859.html
Really, everyone should have one. Handiest tool I ever bought. I've used to to repair the toilet ("Water Closet"), fab Mercedes parts, Harley parts, Lotus parts and build my Lotus 7 clone.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DRUMMOND-ROUND...item25645078f4
One of these by the 2nd:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Boxford-Lathe-...item3f0a7d7b59
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/boxford-lathe-...item25644849e5
Or you can buy a new Chinese one from Harbor Freight or whatever equivalent you have over there for around $800:
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-...the-44859.html
Really, everyone should have one. Handiest tool I ever bought. I've used to to repair the toilet ("Water Closet"), fab Mercedes parts, Harley parts, Lotus parts and build my Lotus 7 clone.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I couldn't get my bike in neutral when stopped, so I was
holding the clutch in to start it. My cantankerous frien who has been riding Harley's for 40 years yelled at me. He said that was hard on the clutch and I should hold the clutch in and rock the bike to pop it into N easy. By golly it works every time!
holding the clutch in to start it. My cantankerous frien who has been riding Harley's for 40 years yelled at me. He said that was hard on the clutch and I should hold the clutch in and rock the bike to pop it into N easy. By golly it works every time!
Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 266
Likes: 1
From: Boynton Beach, FL
Not just you, was finally getting better at hitting it just right and then went for my first group ride on Sunday and I don't think I hit it first time once!! Nothing like performance anxiety!! Cheers, Kevin
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
This one would pay for itself the first time you used it:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DRUMMOND-ROUND...item25645078f4
One of these by the 2nd:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Boxford-Lathe-...item3f0a7d7b59
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/boxford-lathe-...item25644849e5
Or you can buy a new Chinese one from Harbor Freight or whatever equivalent you have over there for around $800:
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-...the-44859.html
Really, everyone should have one. Handiest tool I ever bought. I've used to to repair the toilet ("Water Closet"), fab Mercedes parts, Harley parts, Lotus parts and build my Lotus 7 clone.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DRUMMOND-ROUND...item25645078f4
One of these by the 2nd:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Boxford-Lathe-...item3f0a7d7b59
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/boxford-lathe-...item25644849e5
Or you can buy a new Chinese one from Harbor Freight or whatever equivalent you have over there for around $800:
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-...the-44859.html
Really, everyone should have one. Handiest tool I ever bought. I've used to to repair the toilet ("Water Closet"), fab Mercedes parts, Harley parts, Lotus parts and build my Lotus 7 clone.
....and the workshop in which to keep and use it.
I seriously looked into buying a Colchester Student many years ago, shortly before I discovered I was to be made redundant! So it never happened and I moved home and haven't had suitable facilities to buy once since. Hardly have space to garage my bikes!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
Most bikes I see, that have a hard to find neutral...need a primary chain adjustment. People that adjust their own, seem to always get it too tight. To correctly adjust it, you have to find the tight spot on the chain...most people skip this step.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 0
From: WireGrass, AL
When I first got my 95 flstn I had a time getting into 1st what worked for me was to go to first and than up to neutral. Before I sold her I could even hit first every once and awhile with the heel shifter.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,198
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
Graham, I forget you guys on that side of the pond are "space challenged."
My 6" Atlas-Clausing (Craftsman) lathe doesn't take up much room. About as much as a sewing machine. Tell the old lady to clear out a corner in the living room and you'll promise to vacuum after you use it.
Here's my shop:
The lathe is to the left, behind the black Europa. There's actually a blue Europa frame WIP where the Seven is in that pic now, and the seven is now to the right of the Esprit with the bikes to the left. I'm getting a bit cramped myself, but I still have room to pull a vehicle in for service. I think I have enough Loti for a while.
I once visited my grandfather's cousin in Barendrecht, NL. That was certainly cramped by our standards. He'd been renting the same house since 1936. "Over there is the field that the German paratroopers landed in."
My 6" Atlas-Clausing (Craftsman) lathe doesn't take up much room. About as much as a sewing machine. Tell the old lady to clear out a corner in the living room and you'll promise to vacuum after you use it.
Here's my shop:
The lathe is to the left, behind the black Europa. There's actually a blue Europa frame WIP where the Seven is in that pic now, and the seven is now to the right of the Esprit with the bikes to the left. I'm getting a bit cramped myself, but I still have room to pull a vehicle in for service. I think I have enough Loti for a while.
I once visited my grandfather's cousin in Barendrecht, NL. That was certainly cramped by our standards. He'd been renting the same house since 1936. "Over there is the field that the German paratroopers landed in."
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 2,134
From: W. Texas
Fella`s it sounds like I have some things to ck. Wish i had a little more time this morning and answer each of ya. All good info and time for me put on learning cap and get after it. I do appreicate it WP