Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

wierd clutch problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 25, 2008 | 12:07 AM
  #1  
ImYourHuckleberry's Avatar
ImYourHuckleberry
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 920
Likes: 3
From: Austell, GA
Default wierd clutch problem

I was in the parking lot of my shop today, clowning around popping wheelies for about five minutes, and I pulled a really good one. Half dumped the clutch then eased out the rest of the way on it from a slow rolling start with the rpm's cranking, and walked the bike about 30 feet. When I pulled the clutch in turning around, the lever slung back half way before engaging at all. I pulled in and checked things out, and found nothing wrong. Cable was in great shape. So I pulled her inside and let her cool off, and then drained the primary oil to look at it (I changed it a month ago.) Nothing in it. Still loooked new. Nothing on the drain plug magnet. I pulled the derby cover and adjusted the clutch and the cable, and dumped in some more new oil and&nbsp\\;a little more Ford XL-3 friction modifier additive, and did a short test ride. Clutch was awesome. No issues at all. Smooth operation, smooth engagement and disengagement, and no sign whatsoever of slippage.
&nbsp\\;
Any thoughts on what may have broken, because that just ain't right. Now I'm a little worried.
 
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2008 | 11:28 AM
  #2  
grumpy irish again's Avatar
grumpy irish again
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 2
From: LAKESIDE CA.
Default RE: wierd clutch problem

I am worried also&nbsp\\; popping wheelies in the dealers parking lot??
have no idea what may be wrong with your clutch but you might check the nut behind the bars


[IMG]local://upfiles/5757/31A8ABAD3BEC4E17A4E50E3F3BAD884F.jpg[/IMG]
 
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2008 | 01:32 PM
  #3  
ImYourHuckleberry's Avatar
ImYourHuckleberry
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 920
Likes: 3
From: Austell, GA
Default RE: wierd clutch problem

No. it was the lot of the fleet shop I run. There is no hope for the nut behind the handlebars. I'm just wondering what went in my clutch.
&nbsp\\;
 
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2008 | 01:43 PM
  #4  
MICHALISLARNACA's Avatar
MICHALISLARNACA
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: wierd clutch problem

When you ajusted the the screw was it loose. If it was not, then you probably have a rod problem. Pull it out and check it.
 
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2008 | 01:50 PM
  #5  
mred1995's Avatar
mred1995
Novice
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: wierd clutch problem

The mechanism where the clutch cable comes into the transmission on my bike is essentially two plates with three bearings between them, such that when you pull the clutch lever, it separates the plates, and one&nbsp\\;pushes&nbsp\\;the clutch to disengage it.&nbsp\\; The bearings and plates are held together inside the transmission (not the primary drive, which is what it sounds like you took apart) by a large snap ring.&nbsp\\; If I had to guess, I'd think that one of the bearings got stuck, such that the plate that the clutch cable is attached to was stuck in the slightly rotated position.&nbsp\\; I'd drain your transmission oil, and pull off the outer cover of the transmission, and take a look at the plates, the bearings, and the snap ring.&nbsp\\; Oh yeah, do it with a service manual handy, you'll want to get the torques right on the transmission cover, and get the plates and the bearings back together in the right order.
 
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2008 | 03:36 PM
  #6  
ImYourHuckleberry's Avatar
ImYourHuckleberry
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 920
Likes: 3
From: Austell, GA
Default RE: wierd clutch problem

^^That's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks! I'll check it out.
 
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2008 | 03:37 PM
  #7  
ImYourHuckleberry's Avatar
ImYourHuckleberry
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 920
Likes: 3
From: Austell, GA
Default RE: wierd clutch problem

Oh, and no, the locknut was tight on the adjusting screw. Nothing was loose.
 
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2008 | 05:00 PM
  #8  
mred1995's Avatar
mred1995
Novice
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: wierd clutch problem

Just a heads up, it'll be a pain to get to the transmission cover, you'll probably have to remove your exhaust.&nbsp\\; I'd pull your derby cover off, and pull out the cultch rod (you should be able to do that without draining any oil), and make sure there's not anything funky with that before going through the hassle of pulling the exhaust and tranny cover.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 26, 2008 | 01:43 AM
  #9  
95CHUCK's Avatar
95CHUCK
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From:
Default RE: wierd clutch problem

The "throw out bearing " came apart in my end cover. Sometimes the cluch would act normal and then sometimes not.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Rusty Axle
Shovelhead
17
Jul 7, 2021 05:20 PM
ElectraJim
Touring Models
20
Mar 30, 2017 09:16 AM
MarcV125
Touring Models
59
Jul 7, 2013 11:31 AM
skorch
Sportster Models
26
Apr 16, 2011 02:16 AM
MaineHD
Primary/Transmission/Driveline/Clutch
5
Feb 8, 2006 12:37 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:05 AM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE