Reading the thread about being clunking going into first gear got me to thinking...I sometimes find it difficult to find neutral. Downshifting is fine, when I get to a stop light it seems to go from 2nd to 1st and neutral is illusive. I have a 2003 Fatboy with about 12k miles. Is this the nature of the 5 speed or will a different/better transmission fluid help with this issue?

 

It could be a loose primary chain, check that first.

 

Neutral seems to be a piece of cake to find if you're rolling/downshifting to a stop. As soon as I stop, it's sometimes hard to find.

 

do you have a heel-toe shifter?

if you do, Use the heel shifter to find neutral..

I have a 2010 Heritage and it was hard for me to find neutral until I started using the heel shifter.....all I do is "tap" it and it finds neutral FAST!

 

I bought the bike used and it did not have the heel shifter. I'll get one and see if that helps. Thanks the for the input.

 

If you don't have a heel shift, you can't just get one unless your shift lever clamp area will accept Try 2 things first 1. Change Trans and 2 change Primary oil or Adjust clutch. If that don't help its just that some transmissions are more difficult than others. My wifes trans is hard to find Neautral and its just that way. I have tried all, and with a little practice I have found that just be real easy when coming up with the foot lever when finding neautral is best with hers.

 

The previous owner removed the heel shifter. There is room to clamp on the heel shifter. By the way, the previous owner does not have the heel shifter any longer.

 

Try installing a hydraulic chain tensioner. I installed the M8 tensioner.
Had the same problem before installing.
Now I never miss neutral and the shifting is smooth and quite.

Good luck

 

It's worth replacing the trans fluid with Redline Shockproof before doing anything else. I replaced mine at about 500 miles and noticed a difference. Less of a clunking noise and neutral was easier to find. I replaced my fathers as well in his 94 Nostalgic and without me saying anything he mentioned the bike seemed to shift better.

 

Primary chain adjustment and clutch adjustment (not just at the cable).

Get those two things dialed in perfect, and then see if you have a problem.
Until then, you are masking a problem with the better fluids.

I do agree though, that Redline Shockproof is great (I run it) and I also like Redline MTL in the primary. But nothing comes close to a well adjusted system.


Adjust it cold and follow the book.



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