Here's the sitch:

When bike is in neutral, the neutral indicator light flashes but does not stay lit, even though the bike is not in gear. Next, start to ride the bike, takes off fine in first gear but when shifting up, the bike stays stuck in first or goes into neutral, if I get it into second gear, then try to shift up to third, I get a false neutral, meaning the gears completely disengage and I lose all power. Same thing happens when trying to shift back down. The bike seemed to be shifting very hard and heard quite a bit of "clacking" when shifting aka things are not running smoothly in the transmission.

Here's what I did:

1. Checked/Changed transmission fluid and it is at correct level.(there was quite a bit of tiny metal pieces on the magnetic plug when I pulled it out).

2. Did a clutch lever/cable adjustment and also made sure the adjusting screw was in correct position by taking off derby cover and checking.

3. Adjusted the primary chain to proper tension.

Result: No change, same problem.

I dont think it has anything to do with neutral indicator switch bc it flashes as I go past it (so wires obviously intact). Also, this would not explain the clunky shifting/false neutrals.

I now have the primary cover off, and have not seen any problems w/cable or any of those parts. I'm thinking it is deeper in the transmission. I thought it might need

1) Pawl adjustment
or
2) something wrong with shift forks

Anybody ever have this problem or have a suggestion for what it might be after I ruled out the obvious (clutch, fluid, primary)? I have the primary cover off and got a week to work on it so gimme some ideas!

 

You left out something that might be important, like year and model?

 

Bike is a 2003 XLH Sportster 1200

 

You may have one or more bent shift forks

 

Have you had any luck? I just bought a used 06 Lowrider 2 days ago, have put 150 miles on it, and this morning I'm having exactly the same problems you are describing. Any info you have found would be great.

 

got the primary cover off but I'm trying to get ahold of a spring compressing tool to pull the clutch apart. I think one of the dogs may have broke off or a gear got chewed up based on some metal fragments I found when I took the cover off.

 

got clutch spring compressor gonna checkitout this weekend

 

Did you ever figure out what the problem was. Experiencing similar issues.

Thanks.

 

I'm having the exact same prob on my 2001 1200s

 

ugh...same problems with my 02 883