Clutch Adjustment Problem
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 69
From: Al Bu Ker Key, New Mexico
Clutch Adjustment Problem
Not getting any help in the Mechanical Sections, sorry to double post.
"I hate to post yet ANOTHER thread about adjusting the clutch and I have searched the other threads but I still have a question unanswered.
Yesterday I adjusted my clutch according to the exact directions in the service manual. When I attempted to start the bike, in neutral with the clutch lever pulled all the way back, the bike wants to lurch forward when I hit the starter. So something aint right. Is this something to do with how I adjusted the adjuster nut in the clutch pack or is this more to do with where I have the cable adjusted? Right now the cable is adjusted so the clutch lever is nice and snug with just the right amount of freeplay per the service manual. Suggestions? Many thanks!
"
"I hate to post yet ANOTHER thread about adjusting the clutch and I have searched the other threads but I still have a question unanswered.
Yesterday I adjusted my clutch according to the exact directions in the service manual. When I attempted to start the bike, in neutral with the clutch lever pulled all the way back, the bike wants to lurch forward when I hit the starter. So something aint right. Is this something to do with how I adjusted the adjuster nut in the clutch pack or is this more to do with where I have the cable adjusted? Right now the cable is adjusted so the clutch lever is nice and snug with just the right amount of freeplay per the service manual. Suggestions? Many thanks!
"
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
If it's still pulling when you have the lever squeezed in, the adjuster screw is probably turned too far out. Start the whole process over again including the cable adjustment and be certain that the bike has cooled to room temp before adjusting it.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,984
Likes: 8
you should not be starting it in gear. your clutch plates are stuck together. put in neutral and start the bike, shift into gear and ride. If it jumps with the motor running, when you shift it into gear, you did something wrong. If it does not then it is adjusted correctly.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 1
There should be NO LURCH when starting in neutral. It is normal, with a properly adjusted clutch, to have a small amount of lurch before the clutch plates disengage WHILE IN ANY GEAR. I would suggest doing as jamesw stated. Start over...
When you adjust the clutch screw and locking nut on the clutch itself, make sure to turn the screw in until you feel resistance, then back off half a turn. Then run the screw in again until you feel resistance, and once again back off half turn. You may see that the clutch screw turns in a little further each time, until all the play is taken up and it no longer moves in further on the next turn. Once you notice there is no further movement of the point of engagement, then back off the screw 1/2-1 full turn and tighten the lock nut. All of this is done while the cable adjuster has been fully collapsed, and absolutely no resistance felt when you depress the clutch lever.
Once you have the center clutch screw and lock nut adjusted, then adjust the clutch cable adjuster according to the book. Make certain you depress the clutch lever several times between each adjustment to the clutch cable adjuster, to alieve any slack in the cable.
If you still have any lurching while in starting the bike in gear, I'd then look at the clutch shift arm adjustment on the left side of the tranny behind the primary. In neutral there should be no resistance as the transmission itself has disengaged the gears.
When you adjust the clutch screw and locking nut on the clutch itself, make sure to turn the screw in until you feel resistance, then back off half a turn. Then run the screw in again until you feel resistance, and once again back off half turn. You may see that the clutch screw turns in a little further each time, until all the play is taken up and it no longer moves in further on the next turn. Once you notice there is no further movement of the point of engagement, then back off the screw 1/2-1 full turn and tighten the lock nut. All of this is done while the cable adjuster has been fully collapsed, and absolutely no resistance felt when you depress the clutch lever.
Once you have the center clutch screw and lock nut adjusted, then adjust the clutch cable adjuster according to the book. Make certain you depress the clutch lever several times between each adjustment to the clutch cable adjuster, to alieve any slack in the cable.
If you still have any lurching while in starting the bike in gear, I'd then look at the clutch shift arm adjustment on the left side of the tranny behind the primary. In neutral there should be no resistance as the transmission itself has disengaged the gears.
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 69
From: Al Bu Ker Key, New Mexico
Guys,
The bike is in NEUTRAL, clutch lever pulled in all the way back, bike lurches when I hit starter. I did it by the book including squeezing the clutch lever three times to seat the rod at the cam. I will repeat the process tonight. Will take 1931jamesw's advice. If the adjuster nut is to loose (backed out to far) exactly what does tightening or loosing do? Does the adjustment here affect where the clutch engages/disengages if the cable is properly adjusted? I just cant seem to get the hang of this.
The bike is in NEUTRAL, clutch lever pulled in all the way back, bike lurches when I hit starter. I did it by the book including squeezing the clutch lever three times to seat the rod at the cam. I will repeat the process tonight. Will take 1931jamesw's advice. If the adjuster nut is to loose (backed out to far) exactly what does tightening or loosing do? Does the adjustment here affect where the clutch engages/disengages if the cable is properly adjusted? I just cant seem to get the hang of this.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
Yes, the adjuster screw dictates where the clutch engages. The farther it is backed out, the sooner it engages. The farther in it is, the later (lever father out) it engages.
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 3
From: DFW Metroplex
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 3
my 08 Ultra will do the same thing if i start the bike in gear. start the bike in neutral
