Trouble Finding Neutral
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 196
From: Boise, ID
Trouble Finding Neutral
Hey all,
I've found some different opinions on this, but nothing really specific to the M8 Touring line up.
It's my Ol' Lady's 2017 Road Glide Special. Almost 10k miles.
Recently she's complained about Neutral being hard to find. We've been running Syn3 in it, but I'm not married to that oil. It's also her third Harley so it's not her first rodeo either.
No complaints until this last day trip we took.
TIA
I've found some different opinions on this, but nothing really specific to the M8 Touring line up.
It's my Ol' Lady's 2017 Road Glide Special. Almost 10k miles.
Recently she's complained about Neutral being hard to find. We've been running Syn3 in it, but I'm not married to that oil. It's also her third Harley so it's not her first rodeo either.
No complaints until this last day trip we took.
TIA
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 520
From: VA
I have my clutch adjusted on the loose side at the clutch basket. I also run a lighter primary fluid. 15W40 Rotella T. Not saying it will help your situation. But I don't have any trouble finding neutral.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 196
From: Boise, ID
I have heard different reports of these new bikes not liking 20w-50 for anything but the engines. Maybe it's true....?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,593
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
I doubt it's the oil unless it's way too full. It truely takes practice. Alway from first gear, let clutch out to make sure it snatches in and really in first, re-clutch and pop it up into neutral.
Read your owners manual on oil. When SYN3 first came out, they put it in for that extra $$. It's a few more dollars a quart but they charge $10. It must be harder to pour out of the bottle for them.
A few years ago, in the manuals was changed back to formula + as #1 choice and SYN3 as second. From a engineer standpoint, you do not want the engine oil detergents or anti-friction additives in the primary or transmission without filters.
Detergents keep particles in suspensions to be caught in the oil filter. In the primary and transmission, you want it to settle and stick to the bottom. It will stay there in a gray buildup.
Read your owners manual on oil. When SYN3 first came out, they put it in for that extra $$. It's a few more dollars a quart but they charge $10. It must be harder to pour out of the bottle for them.
A few years ago, in the manuals was changed back to formula + as #1 choice and SYN3 as second. From a engineer standpoint, you do not want the engine oil detergents or anti-friction additives in the primary or transmission without filters.
Detergents keep particles in suspensions to be caught in the oil filter. In the primary and transmission, you want it to settle and stick to the bottom. It will stay there in a gray buildup.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jun 26, 2020 at 10:33 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,674
Likes: 11,462
From: State of Confusion
never ran anything but Formula+ in trans and primary in the dozen Harleys my wife and I owned .. finding neutral has not been a 'problem'..she's got a 2020 CVO now and it came with SYN3 all around, and she has almost 5000 miles on it and never mentioned any trouble..granted Harleys have never been 'snick it into gear as smooth as silk' transmissions but once you get accustomed to the technique it's second nature....you could ride it and see for yourself if you notice any change..or try a different fluid I guess...I'd be surprised if there's a 'problem' but it's possible I suppose
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HD EFI Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,490
Likes: 4,776
I've been thinking maybe the fluid should be swapped to a different weight/type. I have always ran Mobil 1 V-Twin oil in previous bikes, but not on these ones.
I have heard different reports of these new bikes not liking 20w-50 for anything but the engines. Maybe it's true....?
I have heard different reports of these new bikes not liking 20w-50 for anything but the engines. Maybe it's true....?
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,747
Likes: 419
From: Vermont
Before you do anything remove the derby cover and check the primary fluid level. Proper fill is when the bike is upright the fluid should just barely touch the clutch basket. If it's over filled it makes finding neutral much harder. If it's over filled (primary) check the transmission fluid level, if it's low then you have the typical fluid transfer problem.
its what works doing many bikes and years all the way back to 60s... Do as you feel works.
