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Clutch issues????

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Old Apr 21, 2012 | 05:19 PM
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Default Clutch issues????

I may have a few issues going on. First the clutch pull is very stiff. I lubed it and it helped a bit but still stiff. When the bike is cold it will not shift into 2nd gear because my foot does not have the strength because it is so tight. I have to reach down with my right hand and pull it up into second then back into first and repeat 4 or 5 times before it loosens up enough. When the bikes warms up it shifts fine. Also on decceration or coasting when the clutch is engaged I hear a chirping sound for lack of a better explanation. When I pull in the clutch lever the chirping goes away. What doyou all think? I just got the bikes late last year in trade for my Chevelle so I am just now taking care of this issue.
 
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Old Apr 21, 2012 | 06:53 PM
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What year is your bike? The shifting problem could be as simple as a linkage issue.
 
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Old Apr 21, 2012 | 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by 1960lespaul
I may have a few issues going on. First the clutch pull is very stiff. I lubed it and it helped a bit but still stiff. When the bike is cold it will not shift into 2nd gear because my foot does not have the strength because it is so tight. I have to reach down with my right hand and pull it up into second then back into first and repeat 4 or 5 times before it loosens up enough. When the bikes warms up it shifts fine. Also on decceration or coasting when the clutch is engaged I hear a chirping sound for lack of a better explanation. When I pull in the clutch lever the chirping goes away. What doyou all think? I just got the bikes late last year in trade for my Chevelle so I am just now taking care of this issue.
If it's an 06 or earlier (except Dynas) you may need to adjust the primary chain.
07 and later have auto adjust. 07 and later the clutch pull should be pretty easy. Maybe just a clutch adjustment.
We need to know what year and mileage.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2012 | 09:20 PM
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It is a 95 fxsts with 57k and forward controls.
 
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 08:44 PM
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Only time I had a hard time shifting was when I put in 80-145 GL in the tranny.. Way tooo stiff.

Have u even changed the oils yet, or even adjusted the clutch pac... besides just lube Ur cables.

If Not I recommend trying some 20-50 SYN oil in the Pri and SYN 75-90 GL in the tranny.


.


.
 
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Old Apr 23, 2012 | 10:28 PM
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95 is way before the easy pull clutch change HD did in 05/06. So a very stiff lever pull is likely more or less normal. My 02 FLHTI blew out my elbow in the first few thousand miles - tendonitis.

That said, I'd start by replacing the cable. If you want the COB (cheap ole bastard) version, pull the cable, get some graphite powder, pull the cable out of the housing, coat it all really good with the graphite, and then work the cable back and forth for an hour or so. [Think - girlfriend's out of town for a month and you need to take matters into your own hands.] The graphite will lube as the action smooths the rough cable - made a huge difference on my old 82 FXRS.

The shifting issue may well be that your clutch isn't adjusted properly. If the clutch doesn't fully release when you pull the lever, the tranny is still under tension from the drive. Makes shifting a real treat.
 
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