883 acts like it's missing a gear

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May 17, 2020 | 01:41 PM

Eric McGee

Thread Starter

Stage III

Joined: May 2020

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

From: Florida

883 acts like it's missing a gear

Hello, I'm a fairly new Harley rider and have only done some minor work on my 1987 Sportster 883 Hugger, like carb mod and rebuild. I'm having some trouble right around 60mph. While everything leads me to believe I'm in 4th (top gear since I only have 4), I get that terrible growl like back when I didn't shift at the proper RPMs. Like I said, I'm pretty sure I successfully shift into 4th but now I'm worried to keep throttling with that tranny growl. I've tried several times to up shift when it happens, just in case it slipped, but it's spongy, as I'm guessing it should be with no 5th existing. Before I start taking it apart with my MO Manual, I really want to get some feedback from some experts. Thanks for any help you can give.

May 20, 2020 | 12:22 AM

Zanthamos

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2015

Posts: 2,414

Likes: 433

From: Arkansas

1 easy test that you can try is; bike on a Jack so rear wheel off the ground and spark plugs out, shift through the gears stopping at each gear and turning the rear wheel, feel the wheel while turning it to see if there is a change in tension in each of the gears; if the difference between third and fourth gear is no difference then you likely have an issue and need to investigate further. And what is a MO Manual?