New fatboy problems
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
New fatboy problems
Okay I just picked up my 2012 fatboy three days ago and it finally got out of the thirtys and the road dried up so I rode it today and I noticed that it is really hard to get it into neutral. It just gies straight to second from first. And when I do start it from neutral and shift down to first it gives a hard jerk forward. It is like I don't have the clutch puled in all of the way but I do. Idk if I need to adjust the clutch cable or what? I don't wanna take it back to the dealership if it is something simple cuz it willmtake them 2 weeks to look at i am sure. Any opinions would be great!
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Sorry about the spelling. This yuengling is starting to get to me. Oh and I went from a sportster to the fatboy and besides the clutch problem it is amazing. I would have never imagined how much of difference there is in the ride. It is like riding on a lazy boy compared to the sporty.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Belgium
It's cold, the oil in your primary is thick and the clutch plates stick to one another. Just let it idle a bit so the oil to becomes warmer. No need to adjust clutch.
(Just for info, I live in the tropics, and with bike in 1st and clutch pulled in, I have a hard time moving the bike due to clutch plates sticking/dragging when oil is 'cold' - also get a bit of jump forward when putting in 1st sometimes ... only at first start, once bike/oil is at operating temp everything OK)
As for neutral, i find it easier to go from 1st to neutral. Also bike is new, give it some time.
(Just for info, I live in the tropics, and with bike in 1st and clutch pulled in, I have a hard time moving the bike due to clutch plates sticking/dragging when oil is 'cold' - also get a bit of jump forward when putting in 1st sometimes ... only at first start, once bike/oil is at operating temp everything OK)
As for neutral, i find it easier to go from 1st to neutral. Also bike is new, give it some time.
Last edited by Rakthi; Jan 6, 2012 at 08:49 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
First of all, this problem goes away after a few hundred miles TO SOME EXTENT. This is not a commercial, but I have found that the biggest and most immediate difference came when I switched to Amzoil. I had the break in oils, then went to Syn3 the second time, basically no change, except for the progressive improvement with time. Amzoil made a significant and immediate improvement in this regard.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 15
From: Peach Bottom, PA
Temperature plays a big role in the issue.....or non-issue. I agree with TORQUEY......Amsoil made a world of difference in my bike too. Once you get a few "break in" miles on the new ride change the primary to Amsoil and you'll never look back.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,248
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From: Jacksonville, NC
I had this same problem when I bought my 12' Fat Boy Lo back in November. Now that I have about 1300 miles on it, it's not as bad and getting a little better. I've found a good way to get into neutral for me is put it in first and kind of jab my heel down on the heel shifter. I had them put regular dino oil in it at the 1000 mile service but I'm switching to Mobil 1 V-twin when I do my 5000 mile service. I'll see if that helps or not.
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my '12 lo does it only when first crank and dont let it warm up, now i always let it idle for a few minutes and let the rpms get down, never had a problem since, only have 900 miles .....as far as finding neutral shift into first and then upshift into neutral with your toe and it's alot easier b/c you have way more control
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,626
Likes: 98
From: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Yeah, as the others have said that is not that uncommon. It took about a 1000 miles until my Heritage would slip into neutral with no effort.
Hell, now that I think about it, my gas cap was hard to get off at first as well.
Hell, now that I think about it, my gas cap was hard to get off at first as well.