Sportster - Problems Finding Neutral
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Stage I
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1
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From: United States
Sportster - Problems Finding Neutral
Dear Forum:</P>
I am glad I found you folks. Hey, I am having trouble finding neutral on my new 2003 Sportster 883 R. It goes right from first to second too many times and it is getting embarrassing.</P>
I have adjusted the clutch cable a couple of times now (to disengage the clutch more) and still can't find neutral on command. I have moved the "Cable Sleeve" towards the engine to make the cable tighter and still have some problems. Some guys have told me I have to "live with it" until it breaks in.My son's 883Custom has never had any problems shifting. Isthere a "starting point" to start over on my adjusting?</P>
Sitting in a parking lot trying to find neutral is a pain in the rear or driving around in little circles trying to do the same.</P>
Help!!!Jeff</P>
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: United States
Sportster - Problems Finding Neutral
Jeff,</P>
Welcome to HD's. They are a bitch to find neutral sometimes. As you get more miles it loosens up some. Synthetic oil will help some too.</P>
But all in all it can be a real PIA.</P>
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: United States
Sportster - Problems Finding Neutral
<img border="0" src= smileys/smiley16.gif>Jeff,</P>
I have a 2002 XL883H and it took about 5000 miles to get her where it now goes into N without too much problems. It's just kind of a trick to get her in. Give it some time, if you are still having trouble I'd take it back to the dealer and have them take a look. But I think it's just a BREAK-IN thing.</P>
Good Luck,</P>
Steve</P>
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Problems selecting neutral can often be traced to clutch adjustment, however the correct way to do that involves adjusting at the clutch itself, not only the cable. We have a Sticky here, which should help those of you with older bikes. With your new bike Daki, see if you can get through to the first service, then ask your dealer to check and adjust it. If it is too troublesome now, then take it in sooner, don't suffer!
Next time use a good synthetic oil. Mobil 1 the problem will go away.
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I had the same problem with my bike and it's actually two different factors causing the same problem.
One factor is the owner not quite familiar with with the bike and the other is break in.
Seeing as the bike is a 2003 and Jeff didn't tell us the mileage we can assume it's already broken in.
This leaves the new owner getting to know the shifter.
One factor is the owner not quite familiar with with the bike and the other is break in.
Seeing as the bike is a 2003 and Jeff didn't tell us the mileage we can assume it's already broken in.
This leaves the new owner getting to know the shifter.
Last edited by JustDave13; Dec 23, 2015 at 08:26 AM.
