5th Gear Slips!???
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Thornton
5th Gear Slips!???
So I have a 12 Softail Slim with 4k miles and have been thinking that 5th Gear(only 5th) slips when I give it about 1/3 WOT. I notice that the engine speed/sound doesnt seem to match the acceleration speed.
Everyone kept telling me I was crazy, however I didnt believe them. Today happened to have the "Gear/RPM" display up on my stock console, and when I got on the throttle I noticed the "5" gear indicator disappear just like when you pull in the clutch. When I saw this I let off the throttle and noticed very briefly a "4" show up and then back to "5". Proving that A) I'm not crazy, at least regarding this and B) Something is slipping.
Anyone seen or heard of this?? I have changed both tranny covers and primary cover to black, replaced oil to OEM specs however don't recall if the problem was occurring prior.
Any help or insight is much appreciated. I have an appointment scheduled at the dealer next week however if there is something I can do or check on myself I would rather not be without it for a week.
Thanks in advance!
Everyone kept telling me I was crazy, however I didnt believe them. Today happened to have the "Gear/RPM" display up on my stock console, and when I got on the throttle I noticed the "5" gear indicator disappear just like when you pull in the clutch. When I saw this I let off the throttle and noticed very briefly a "4" show up and then back to "5". Proving that A) I'm not crazy, at least regarding this and B) Something is slipping.
Anyone seen or heard of this?? I have changed both tranny covers and primary cover to black, replaced oil to OEM specs however don't recall if the problem was occurring prior.
Any help or insight is much appreciated. I have an appointment scheduled at the dealer next week however if there is something I can do or check on myself I would rather not be without it for a week.
Thanks in advance!
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Thornton
As far as getting on it starting in first, I have done that and notice no slippage except 5th. Which makes me think its not the clutch?? But hell I'm not sure.
As for clutch adjustment, it seems fine in other gears......Is it still possible that its that?
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Thornton
Was it only in a particular gear or all gears?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 9
From: Connecticut
if it's slipping then the rpm will go up without an increase in speed. If it does it in 5th then it should do it in 6th too. try readjusting the clutch again first.
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 7
From: USA
Sounds like you have too little freeplay in your clutch cable.
The reason it slips in 5th with too little freeplay is because 5th gear is a helicut gear and when you accelerate in 5th the two helicut gears push against each other because of the angle they are cut. This causes a slight amount of lateral movement to the main transmission shaft and this can cause the clutch to disengage slightly if you have no freeplay in the clutch cable.
Assuming the freeplay is adjusted correctly at the clutch hub adjustment you need to make sure you also have some freeplay at the clutch cable and lever.
Try this, in 5th gear accelerate WOT and at the same time see if you clutch lever has some freeplay. If not what I have described is probably your problem. Your manual will describe how to adjust cable/lever freeplay properly.
The reason it slips in 5th with too little freeplay is because 5th gear is a helicut gear and when you accelerate in 5th the two helicut gears push against each other because of the angle they are cut. This causes a slight amount of lateral movement to the main transmission shaft and this can cause the clutch to disengage slightly if you have no freeplay in the clutch cable.
Assuming the freeplay is adjusted correctly at the clutch hub adjustment you need to make sure you also have some freeplay at the clutch cable and lever.
Try this, in 5th gear accelerate WOT and at the same time see if you clutch lever has some freeplay. If not what I have described is probably your problem. Your manual will describe how to adjust cable/lever freeplay properly.
Last edited by Falcon195; Aug 8, 2013 at 09:33 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Thornton
Sounds like you have too little freeplay in your clutch cable.
The reason it slips in 5th with too little freeplay is because 5th gear is a helicut gear and when you accelerate in 5th the two helicut gears push against each other because of the angle they are cut. This causes a slight amount of lateral movement to the main transmission shaft and this can cause the clutch to disengage slightly if you have no freeplay in the clutch cable.
Assuming the freeplay is adjusted correctly at the clutch hub adjustment you need to make sure you also have some freeplay at the clutch cable and lever.
Try this, in 5th gear accelerate WOT and at the same time see if you clutch lever has some freeplay. If not what I have described is probably your problem. Your manual will describe how to adjust cable/lever freeplay properly.
The reason it slips in 5th with too little freeplay is because 5th gear is a helicut gear and when you accelerate in 5th the two helicut gears push against each other because of the angle they are cut. This causes a slight amount of lateral movement to the main transmission shaft and this can cause the clutch to disengage slightly if you have no freeplay in the clutch cable.
Assuming the freeplay is adjusted correctly at the clutch hub adjustment you need to make sure you also have some freeplay at the clutch cable and lever.
Try this, in 5th gear accelerate WOT and at the same time see if you clutch lever has some freeplay. If not what I have described is probably your problem. Your manual will describe how to adjust cable/lever freeplay properly.
Thanks again!