75 Ironhead clutch slipping
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
75 Ironhead clutch slipping
Hi Everybody,I'm having clutch slipping problems with my Ironhead. I have about 45 miles on it since I bought it and I really don't have any background on the bike. This is what is happening. In 2nd and 3rd gear when I stop on it and the rpms get up there it starts to slip and I have to throttle back for the clutch to fully grip. I've gone through and adjusted the cable, made sure the right amount of oil is in it and have the correct oil in it...what's next. If I have to replace the plates that is fine but what else should I replace once I have the clutch apart? Are the OEM replacement plates the best way to go or is there better ones, I noticed that there are many differnt options.ThanksJeremy
When you adjusted the cable, did you follow the detailed procedure in the factory manual, doing the adjustment behind the access plug in the primary cover? I ask this because many guys are used to other bikes where the adjustment is done at the handlebar. Not so with ironheads.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
Hi Everybody,I'm having clutch slipping problems with my Ironhead. I have about 45 miles on it since I bought it and I really don't have any background on the bike. This is what is happening. In 2nd and 3rd gear when I stop on it and the rpms get up there it starts to slip and I have to throttle back for the clutch to fully grip. I've gone through and adjusted the cable, made sure the right amount of oil is in it and have the correct oil in it...what's next. If I have to replace the plates that is fine but what else should I replace once I have the clutch apart? Are the OEM replacement plates the best way to go or is there better ones, I noticed that there are many differnt options.ThanksJeremy
(1) The clutch plates are worn out. This is the least likely to be the cause.
(2) The clutch adjustment has been done incorrectly. In 95% of the cases this is the cause.
People can read the manual and still fail to follow instructions.
So here are the directions to adjust your clutch.
Follow each step in order and do not take short cuts..........
1) Loosen the lock nut on the cable adjuster and run the adjuster into the primary cover until you have lots of free play up at the clutch lever.
2) Remove the plug on the center of the primary cover.
With a 13/16 socket loosen the lock nut on the clutch adjustment screw.
3) Turn the adjuster screw inward until it gets harder to turn. (It is now touching the pressure plate)
Turn the screw in an additional 2 full turns.
4) Now go back to the cable adjuster and screw it out of the primary cover. Watch the slack begin to disappear at the clutch lever.
Continue to turn the adjuster out until the slack is gone. Stop.
You want zero slack and zero load at the lever. Just a neutral no slack/no load adjustment.
5) Tighten the cable adjuster lock nut down.THIS IS THE LAST TIME YOU WILL TOUCH THIS ADJUSTER!So move on to the following steps........
6) Now go back to the clutch adjusting screw and turn it outward until it gets easier to turn. Stop.
Turn the adjuster back in until you feel it touch the pressure plate. Stop.
Now turn the adjuster screw out 1/8 to 1/4 turn. Notice this last step is what gives you the desired amount of slack up at the lever.
7) Carefully tighten down the lock nut on the adjuster screw without allowing the screw to move.
Replace the center plug in the primary cover and you are now done.
If it slips at all after this adjustment then you have worn clutch plates. And slippage means you need to look at replacing the plates. No other course of action is possible.
Let us know the results please.
pg
Trending Topics
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Thanks for the info.I'm giving it a try now.Im concerned about the plates being worn seeing how the problem of slipping just popped up out of no where.Ive had the bike for over a year and the clutch allways worked fine (besides being a little hard to pull lever).Is clutch adjustment something that needs to happen periodically as a preventive maintanance?
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
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
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
All clutch plate wear as time goes by, so yes, you need to do the adjustment from time to time. More like once a year though as a rule.
So what you need to do next is adjust the clutch according to what I posted.
Then try it out.
If it still slips, then it is time to take the clutch apart and check the plates for wear and the clutch basket for burrs in the grooves.
pg
So what you need to do next is adjust the clutch according to what I posted.
Then try it out.
If it still slips, then it is time to take the clutch apart and check the plates for wear and the clutch basket for burrs in the grooves.
pg