clutch trouble
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: ohio
clutch trouble
hello all my 76 ironhead im building the clutch wont disingage when i pull lever i feel the clutch moving and it feels good but wont free wheel when lever is pulled has been setting for who knows how long could the plates be stuck together
trying to get ideas before i tear it apart thanks mike
trying to get ideas before i tear it apart thanks mike
From what i hear on these forums bike sitting for a long time can result in stuck clutch plates. However i would work thru the adjustment procedure first. Do you have a manual? The procedure is clearly detailed in all of them: FM, Clymer, Haynes.
I have no experience unsticking clutch plates myself. I have heard of guys push starting in 4th gear [or whatever works], riding, switching gears among 2, 3, 4, and having them free up. I have heard various versions of this and that it does work. Someone else here might be able to comment more reliably.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
hello all my 76 ironhead im building the clutch wont disingage when i pull lever i feel the clutch moving and it feels good but wont free wheel when lever is pulled has been setting for who knows how long could the plates be stuck together
trying to get ideas before i tear it apart thanks mike
trying to get ideas before i tear it apart thanks mike
Now understand that a clutch on an ironhead will never be without some slight amount of drag.
By that I mean don't expect a Sportster to have the same smooth clutch as say a Honda, or even a Twin-cam 88 for that matter.
They are always going to 'CLUNK' into first gear, sometimes accompanied with the bike jumping forward a bit. This is normal.
However, if the bike goes into first gear and you have the clutch pulled while it is going down the driveway, then that is another matter.
If that is the case, then you need to remove the primary and take the clutch plates out.
You will need a clutch tool to do this. You can buy one for $$$ or you can make one if you have a fair talent for fabrication.
Look at your manual. It describes how you do the removal and the reinstall. It also has a pic of the clutch tool in case you want to make your own. All that it takes is some cold roll steel rod, drilling and tapping some 1/4-20 studs and a piece of angle or barstock, allthread rod and a couple of nuts. Light welding will make it better but it can be made without any welding.............. pg
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: ohio
thanks pinion this helps alot i may not have any trouble then im used to kawasaki crotch rockets this is my first harley it just has some drag when clutch is pulled ill wait for my test ride and see what happens thanks again painting right now shouldnt be much longer
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Here is my home made clutch spring compressor. A piece of pine 2X2, two lengths of threaded rod, two nuts, two fender washers [large OD, small ID], and a couple of parts from a puller. The nuts on the engine side are not needed.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
thanks pinion this helps alot i may not have any trouble then im used to kawasaki crotch rockets this is my first harley it just has some drag when clutch is pulled ill wait for my test ride and see what happens thanks again painting right now shouldnt be much longer
When you put most motorcycles into first gear you hear a snick!
Drop an ironhead into first gear and you hear a Crash-Clunk! I must also add that you feel it as well as hear it!
pg
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chopperdude
Primary/Transmission/Driveline/Clutch
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Nov 8, 2010 06:45 PM
1st, clutch, compressor, davidson, gear, harley, home, homemade, honda, made, motorcycle, spring, tool, trouble, unsticking
