Shifting issues
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Stage III
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 3
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From: Manitoba
Shifting issues
2006 Softail deluxe
Intermittent shifting issues when shifting into 1st from neutral
this issue does not happen all of the time. When trying to put the bike into neutral, the neutral light does not always come on, but we know it is in neutral as we let go of the clutch and the bike does not try to move.
We then pull in the clutch lever and try to shift it into 1st and it grinds.
But other than that it shifts just fine in all of the other gears.
The clutch does not drag or slip. All fluids are correct.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Intermittent shifting issues when shifting into 1st from neutral
this issue does not happen all of the time. When trying to put the bike into neutral, the neutral light does not always come on, but we know it is in neutral as we let go of the clutch and the bike does not try to move.
We then pull in the clutch lever and try to shift it into 1st and it grinds.
But other than that it shifts just fine in all of the other gears.
The clutch does not drag or slip. All fluids are correct.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,703
Likes: 6,479
From: Honah Lee
My thoughts are if it grinds, the clutch is dragging too much.
Do you have a standard OEM clutch?
How much free play do you have in the lever? (Cable play)
How much is the back off from no play behind the derby cover set?
When your are in first gear, as you let out lever, how far does lever come out before you fill tugging.
What fluid are you using? Where is the level in the primary cold with bike up right and on level ground?
Lot of questions and all need to be answered.
PS.. Welcome to the HDFORUM.
Do you have a standard OEM clutch?
How much free play do you have in the lever? (Cable play)
How much is the back off from no play behind the derby cover set?
When your are in first gear, as you let out lever, how far does lever come out before you fill tugging.
What fluid are you using? Where is the level in the primary cold with bike up right and on level ground?
Lot of questions and all need to be answered.
PS.. Welcome to the HDFORUM.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Aug 18, 2025 at 03:20 PM.
Thread Starter
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Stage III
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Manitoba
Hello and thank you for your reply
Once I put it into gear it does not drag nor pull forward. We just reset the clutch adjustment turned to just seated and backed off 3/4 turn. Tightened jam nut and set the clutch lever adjustment to 1/16 inch.
When releasing the clutch, approximately 1/4 to 1/2 before it starts to pull forward.
The bike has HD Formula & Transmission and primary chaincase lubricant. Level is as specified in Service Manual 26 oz
we had changed the oil to Amsol synthetic chaincase oil, then issues with shifting. Then we changed back to the HD Formula
Once I put it into gear it does not drag nor pull forward. We just reset the clutch adjustment turned to just seated and backed off 3/4 turn. Tightened jam nut and set the clutch lever adjustment to 1/16 inch.
When releasing the clutch, approximately 1/4 to 1/2 before it starts to pull forward.
The bike has HD Formula & Transmission and primary chaincase lubricant. Level is as specified in Service Manual 26 oz
we had changed the oil to Amsol synthetic chaincase oil, then issues with shifting. Then we changed back to the HD Formula
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,703
Likes: 6,479
From: Honah Lee
Couple questions I added above. Edit post 3 for them...
So far, that's exactly what I do. The backoff behind derby is sometimes off unless your careful to get a snug no play and lever a few times to set ball in cam.
Instructions manual sorta errors to imply loosen cable too much in the beginning. If you do, then you may fail to start back off at zero play.
However what you have said doesn't seem to imply that's your issue.
Hopefully Dan below will help. He's the expert. Harleys are just one of my hobbies.
So far, that's exactly what I do. The backoff behind derby is sometimes off unless your careful to get a snug no play and lever a few times to set ball in cam.
Instructions manual sorta errors to imply loosen cable too much in the beginning. If you do, then you may fail to start back off at zero play.
However what you have said doesn't seem to imply that's your issue.
Hopefully Dan below will help. He's the expert. Harleys are just one of my hobbies.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Aug 18, 2025 at 06:55 PM.
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