Finding Neutral
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,981
Likes: 48
From: Northern Illinois
This is not normal or "just the way a Harley Is", as others have said, you need to adjust the clutch. My new 2012 Ultra was this way at first, adjusted the clutch and now it shifts into neutral like butter.
Another thing to check is the Shift Shaft (round piece that the shift levers rotate on). Sometimes the fitting on the engine side of the shaft is too close to the housing so when the bike heats up and the metal expands, it get's too tight causing hard shifting.
Another thing to check is the Shift Shaft (round piece that the shift levers rotate on). Sometimes the fitting on the engine side of the shaft is too close to the housing so when the bike heats up and the metal expands, it get's too tight causing hard shifting.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
It does get easier. My 2012 was terrible to get into neutral, so was my 2010. at about 3000 miles the transmission loosened up enough that it just pops in there no problem. Still Kawasaki has the best neutral finder of any transmission. If the bike is stationary and in first gear, you can not go to second. It just stops at neutral every time. Too easy.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
From: British Columbia
so, several say it's clutch. Tend to think that may be it for my Dyna, new clutch this past summer. Was a pain in the past before clutch but would clink in, now not unless engine off... thanks .... going to check in to red-line suggestion in primary as well
question though, now in to the clutch, my 26 year mechanic tells me to neutral her at lights or stopped as it is hard on clutch if I don't. I'm thinking he means the new clutch as apparently things aren't the same as they used to be, any input?
question though, now in to the clutch, my 26 year mechanic tells me to neutral her at lights or stopped as it is hard on clutch if I don't. I'm thinking he means the new clutch as apparently things aren't the same as they used to be, any input?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,981
Likes: 48
From: Northern Illinois
so, several say it's clutch. Tend to think that may be it for my Dyna, new clutch this past summer. Was a pain in the past before clutch but would clink in, now not unless engine off... thanks .... going to check in to red-line suggestion in primary as well
question though, now in to the clutch, my 26 year mechanic tells me to neutral her at lights or stopped as it is hard on clutch if I don't. I'm thinking he means the new clutch as apparently things aren't the same as they used to be, any input?
question though, now in to the clutch, my 26 year mechanic tells me to neutral her at lights or stopped as it is hard on clutch if I don't. I'm thinking he means the new clutch as apparently things aren't the same as they used to be, any input?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
This is not normal or "just the way a Harley Is", as others have said, you need to adjust the clutch. My new 2012 Ultra was this way at first, adjusted the clutch and now it shifts into neutral like butter.
Another thing to check is the Shift Shaft (round piece that the shift levers rotate on). Sometimes the fitting on the engine side of the shaft is too close to the housing so when the bike heats up and the metal expands, it get's too tight causing hard shifting.
Another thing to check is the Shift Shaft (round piece that the shift levers rotate on). Sometimes the fitting on the engine side of the shaft is too close to the housing so when the bike heats up and the metal expands, it get's too tight causing hard shifting.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,981
Likes: 48
From: Northern Illinois
Well its normal for mine since I drove off with it. Had the stealer adjust it. I adjusted it cold 3/4 turns out, then 1/2 turns out. I don't really care be honest with you because id rather have it like this then the way it was on my metric. I would like a buck for how often I would shift to second only to rev the chit of of it cuz its in neutral...now that pissed me off. There's a small area from first to second with neutral inbetween I'm guessing the MoCo did that because it had the same issue the metrics needed to address.....fine with me as long as I can start it in neutral which is cake once the engine is off.
If you like it that way, great, I'm just saying for all the folks that have a hard time finding neutral (that don't like it), they don't have to "just live with it".
A couple simple adjustments and problem solved. Like I said, I had the same issue on my 12 Ultra, when it was cold it wasn't too bad, but after I had been riding for awhile, the only way to get it into neutral was to shut it off.
I learned that just because a bike is new, it doesn't mean that the clutch is adjusted correctly. After I adjusted it to specs, problem solved.
Gotta remember too that during that first 1000 miles, the clutch cable is gonna stretch a little and the clutch plates are gonna "wear in" a little, so it might actually need to be adjusted a couple times.
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