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Recommendations for finding neutral

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Old Jan 12, 2020 | 10:15 AM
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Default Recommendations for finding neutral

Wife bought a heritage right before the snow hit. 2016 with 146 miles on it. Barely broken in. Since I’m the only one with cold weather gear, I got to ride it the 50 miles home. Noticed some problems getting it into neutral. The usual tricks helped at a stop. But happens far more than I ever experience on my breakout or road glide. She had the same problem on her 12 deluxe, but I presumed it was more experience than her bike.

knowing this is an issue now, I predict this will be her biggest annoyance. Any suggestions to make that neutral easier? Probably going to change the oil and will likely go with redline. Never had this problem on my bikes. So looking for other suggestions.

pics because it’s a sweet ride.



 
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Old Jan 12, 2020 | 12:00 PM
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When my bike has a hard time finding neutral ,adjusting my clutch solves the problem . Have you tried adjusting your clutch?
 
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Old Jan 12, 2020 | 12:11 PM
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Practice is the cure. Only try to find it 1st gear up. Make sure the toe lever is adjusted. Most do not realize that is adjustable. Especially if you wear protective boots. Then if all that fails, proper 50 W non detergent gear oil in trans and primary

And when you do primary oil, make sure back off at clutch is about 3/4 turn cold and freeplay at lever is at minimum. Only need about 1/32" play checked at both locks of bars.

It will drop right in. If it has a hydraulic clutch actuator, no adjustment on clutch except first year it came out.
 

Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jan 12, 2020 at 12:14 PM.
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Old Jan 12, 2020 | 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by swifty
When my bike has a hard time finding neutral ,adjusting my clutch solves the problem . Have you tried adjusting your clutch?
Literally tried nothing yet as we just got the bike home and she has literally only taken it around the block a few times the day we got it home. Not enough good days in Michigan to put it through the paces. Just pre-gaming some tips before the riding season.
 
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Old Jan 12, 2020 | 12:27 PM
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It will get better once broken in a bit.... and with practice....

Until then...... Make sure you have the clutch adjusted properly, have the right fluids in the primary and trans, and make sure the primary fluid is at the proper level...

Not so much on newer bikes, but the ball joints on both ends of the shift rod are inferior, usually get loose quickly, and can/have actually disconnected when shifting...

As they loosen up, they can affect finding neutral.

One of my first mods on all my Twin Cam HDs has been to get a new shift rod with Heim joints to replace the OEM rod with ball joints...


 

Last edited by hattitude; Jan 12, 2020 at 12:28 PM.
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Old Jan 12, 2020 | 02:55 PM
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When you change oil in the transmission use a synthetic gear lube. Red Line, Amsoil.
 
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Old Jan 12, 2020 | 04:54 PM
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Adjusting the clutch and using the proper amount of primary fluid will be the cure...however I will add that in my experience that using redline is good but Harley just came out with a synthetic tranny/primary fluid that I believe has solved this on my bike.
 
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Old Jan 12, 2020 | 05:11 PM
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No advice from me, but her biggest annoyance is going to be keeping those White Footboards and Grips White.....


Mike
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Old Jan 12, 2020 | 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by leachman
Adjusting the clutch and using the proper amount of primary fluid will be the cure...however I will add that in my experience that using redline is good but Harley just came out with a synthetic tranny/primary fluid that I believe has solved this on my bike.
I’ve always gone synthetic on my bikes. This bike was bought by a guy who literally ride it twice. Dealer said he had ankle surgery and never got his balance back. So I’m betting everything is in need of being changed.
 

Last edited by matte; Jan 12, 2020 at 09:12 PM.
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Old Jan 12, 2020 | 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike NY
No advice from me, but her biggest annoyance is going to be keeping those White Footboards and Grips White.....


Mike
NY
that is the effing truth. thankfully the original owner spent all that money.
 
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