I was out on a trip this week and after about 2hrs of highway riding i pulled off to go through town and realized I had about 1" free play at my lever. Pulled over and adjusted it at the cable adjuster and checked to make sure the clutch adjustment locknut was in place. After about 15 minutes I could feel it doing it again so re adjusted and rechecked.
I thought my cable might be splitting so I rode it to the closest Harley to get looked at. I didn't have anymore issues with it.
The Harley tech told me I needed a new clutch and that he adjusted the clutch adjustment screw. My clutch is less than a year old and I've never had an issue with it slipping. I feel like he was just trying to get me to pay the bill and leave. 1200 miles later everything is all good.
Tonight I adjusted the clutch as per manual specs. Removed the cover at the tranny end for inspection. Ramp and cable look okay.
The thrust bearing is pretty burnt and there's a lot of play at the end of the small push that the bearings on. ​​​​​​​
Am I on the right track?
anyone have experience with this?
​​​​​​​where else do I look?
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I put some pictures in an album under my profile because I couldn't figure out how to post.

 

Pretty obvious that your clutch back off at the clutch behind the derby cover was not about 3/4 turn and there was enough free play at the lever in the cable length adjustment.

Since you said you now have adjusted it correctly, you know what I am talking about.

When it did not have the free play, the throw out bearing spun all the time. It's only designed to spin when you pull in the clutch. This could have created it's own play and saved your clutch if you truely felt no slipping.

However, You truly need to.

Replace the throw out bearing, probably the oil spinner, the pushrod and the adjuster screw since the cup is probably burnt. i probably would take a hard look at the clutch by removing it and inspect the steel plates and measure the fiber plates. Compare where they hit and do not hit for reference. Need a Harbour Freight micrometer.

That third attachment is the backoff screw with the burnt cup that the pushrod sets in. (probably burnt)

My guess is the mechanic knew what was the wrong and only way he could fix it and know all was OK was clutch and misc parts. By the time he inspected it, it would have cost you more and if he did not replace it and he errored on clutch wear which is easy to do, you would be pissed.

Add a signature line similar to mine on your bike

Also, Welcome from Hampton Roads Virginia..

 

When I originally bought the bike I rode it home 4hrs from up north. When I got home the clutch friction plates were wore down to the steel. I never thought to check the clutch adjustment screw set point or the pushrod and thrust bearing. Until you told me that I never thought about it.
Although ill never admit I never set it properly after replacing the clutch.
I will take a closer look at the pushrods and clutch.
Also the manual, because I didn't have an oil flinger on the thrust bearing end of my pushrod

 

Do you see my attachments?

What bike are we talking about?

 

1989 flhtc. I saw your pictures. It looks like the flinger on the one in the pictures is pressed on.
The picture in my album shows the thrust bearing as I pulled it off the bike. I'm not next to my manual right now so I can't refer back to it right now.

 

Rod pic

 

Pretty sure your parts are like my 2nd attachment. Make sure all those faces and cups and ball ends are smooth on that stack of parts that push thru transmission to engage the clutch.

 

Will do, thanks for the insight