Finding Neutral.....
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 728
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 242
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
I started a similar thread a short while back. Bought a new 2012 Ultra Classic Electra Glide and I find it almost impossible to find neutral when the bike is stopped. Somewhat easier if the bike is not running. Ironically, it sometimes finds neutral when I'm shifting from 1st to 2nd while moving.
This is my first Harley, but I owned sportbikes prior and I never had a problem finding neutral in any of those. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE the bike. But you'd think this wouldn't be such an issue and the HD could solve the problem. You shouldn't have to adjust anything on a new bike to make it work properly.
I'll tell the dealer about it when I bring it in for the 1000 mile service and hopefully they will fix it.
This is my first Harley, but I owned sportbikes prior and I never had a problem finding neutral in any of those. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE the bike. But you'd think this wouldn't be such an issue and the HD could solve the problem. You shouldn't have to adjust anything on a new bike to make it work properly.
I'll tell the dealer about it when I bring it in for the 1000 mile service and hopefully they will fix it.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,594
Likes: 178
From: east texas
clutch is only needed when you stop completly with the engine running.
other than that, it is useless. belay that "not required"
neutral is there all the time, unless the shifter is not adjusted correctly.
or the rider does not understand how the pawl/shift uses the shifter drum.
with a broken clutch , you still can find neutral with the tension off the tranny.
rode many miles with a broken clutch cable ..got tired of rolling bike into motion (legs) then shifting into first.
had to hit neutral to come to complete stop ,oor kill engine .
other than that, it is useless. belay that "not required"
neutral is there all the time, unless the shifter is not adjusted correctly.
or the rider does not understand how the pawl/shift uses the shifter drum.
with a broken clutch , you still can find neutral with the tension off the tranny.
rode many miles with a broken clutch cable ..got tired of rolling bike into motion (legs) then shifting into first.
had to hit neutral to come to complete stop ,oor kill engine .
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
On my 99 RK it's a pain to find neutral once the bike warms up. On my Softails It had never been an issue. I've gotten to the point where I just ease the clutch out to roll the bike a few inches, pull the clutch back in, blip the throttle and then click it out of gear. I've tried different trans fluid, Harley, Bel-Ray and some stuff that came in a bright orange quart (forget the name off hand). I've tried adjusting the clutch the factory recommended way and also tried a little less free-play as well as a little more (on the clutch nut for the basket). I've taken the plates out and checked them to make sure they aren't warped or worn out and tried a new diaphram spring.
If you shut the motor off the thing pops right into neutral no problem. I'm tired of F'ing with it. I just figure I'll mess with it again when I upgrade to a 6 speed. Just for fun I'll put a new primary case bearing in as well. The bike just turned over 70K I guess there's something that's worn.
If you shut the motor off the thing pops right into neutral no problem. I'm tired of F'ing with it. I just figure I'll mess with it again when I upgrade to a 6 speed. Just for fun I'll put a new primary case bearing in as well. The bike just turned over 70K I guess there's something that's worn.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,373
Likes: 4
Finding neutral isn't a problem limited to just HD's. It pretty much runs across the board. Eventually I would hope it will get easier for you. Never had any problems on mine or the Kawi or the Honda. Just luck maybe.
I wouldn't lose much sleep over it and I'm not sure about wanting to be in neutral at a stop light. I wanna be able to chit and get if I need to.
I wouldn't lose much sleep over it and I'm not sure about wanting to be in neutral at a stop light. I wanna be able to chit and get if I need to.
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Mine's a 2011 Softail and I only have about 150mi on it and I've tried all types of things to get into neutral. Sometimes it works other times not.
Guess I've been lucky with the dozen or so different bikes I've owned previously as I've never had an issue finding neutral on any of them.
Mark H.
Really. I love amsoil and use a great many of their products but I went from amsoil to red-line shock proof and it was like night and day. Maybe it was just that I had slot if miles on the tranny fluid. 10 000 or so