Clutch Question (YEA AGAIN)
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: California
Clutch Question (YEA AGAIN)
I have an 89 sporty project I just finished. I have taken it on some shakedown rides to find the bugs and noticed that once the primary warms up I have a really hard time shifting gears. AT a complete stop I am having a real hard time getting into 1 st gear. Once the bike sits for a time and cools down I can shift again.
The first couple of times this happened the clutch was out of adjustment, I wrote it off as part of the shake out as the bike has sat for years before I got it and started the rebuild project. I have pulled the clutch due to a tranny issue and it looked solid, did not hear any rattles or see anything loose.
I am running 20-50w Castrol vtwin oil in engine and primary as per HD manual. I am leaning toward switching to a syn gear oil like Lucas 75w-90 or Bel Ray sport anyone have an idea if this my problem OR am I in the same boat as others with the rivet issue and needed a new clutch?
The first couple of times this happened the clutch was out of adjustment, I wrote it off as part of the shake out as the bike has sat for years before I got it and started the rebuild project. I have pulled the clutch due to a tranny issue and it looked solid, did not hear any rattles or see anything loose.
I am running 20-50w Castrol vtwin oil in engine and primary as per HD manual. I am leaning toward switching to a syn gear oil like Lucas 75w-90 or Bel Ray sport anyone have an idea if this my problem OR am I in the same boat as others with the rivet issue and needed a new clutch?
6th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: columbia
Check this thread
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...tch-alert.html
This thread was pretty comprehensive on the clutch spring issue. Take the time and read through it as it has some really good symptoms that you may be seeing and not realizing that they are a precipitant of the actual clutch issue.
If you pulled the friction plates, steel disks, and spring plate and the spring plate was faulty (at that time) it should have been apparent. That doesn't mean that it couldn't have failed in the mean-time. Hope that helps.
This thread was pretty comprehensive on the clutch spring issue. Take the time and read through it as it has some really good symptoms that you may be seeing and not realizing that they are a precipitant of the actual clutch issue.
If you pulled the friction plates, steel disks, and spring plate and the spring plate was faulty (at that time) it should have been apparent. That doesn't mean that it couldn't have failed in the mean-time. Hope that helps.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: California
OK I may have found what I need, it seems the 89 does not use the same spring plate as the newer models. The 89 uses a single spring flex style plate, no rivots of small springs. That said I am back to the drawing board and will have to play with adjustment at primary. I have done it by the book several times, but with bike's rear wheel up off the ground, clutch adjusted per manual, clutch cable adjusted and lever depressed, the rear wheel will not turn at all. I am sure the clutch is with in specs and as I understand it correctly adjusted and basket and cable, I should be able to move the wheel wheel with the clutch level depressed.
So again I am back to the adjustment and while I am at it changing oil to BEL-RAY Sport an oil made for Sportster Primary's. I would really and do need some help from anyone with an 89 stock clutch, I hate to be blasphemous but the manual is wrong.
So again I am back to the adjustment and while I am at it changing oil to BEL-RAY Sport an oil made for Sportster Primary's. I would really and do need some help from anyone with an 89 stock clutch, I hate to be blasphemous but the manual is wrong.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: California
Final, I pulled the clutch plates and found nothing visibly wrong. Wiped them down, and reassembled, read somewhere the rounded side faced out on the steel plates. I found one steel plate with the rounded side in when I disassembled, but made sure to face it the correct way. I am not sure if that was the problem or the fact that wiping clean the plate helped but just took on a 11 mile run no problem, come sun up tomorrow I will give it a proper run, Sorry for being a newb and all, but i learn hard and hate to be wrong, By the way the book adjustment still not completely on. Late all thanks for help and safe riding.
Last edited by RicRides; Jan 9, 2015 at 10:12 PM.
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 466
Likes: 1
From: wisconsin
Make sure your primary chain is in adjustment
set your cable slack at handle into spec
at the adjuster in the primary i like to go 1/4 turn
if you are using the stock plates and steels the 20w50 works better than atf fluid
these are all opinions from my 88
and dont apply to me anymore as am using the barnett scorpion clutch after going thru different plates
oh and the 4 speed definatly shifts a little harder than the later 5 speeds
set your cable slack at handle into spec
at the adjuster in the primary i like to go 1/4 turn
if you are using the stock plates and steels the 20w50 works better than atf fluid
these are all opinions from my 88
and dont apply to me anymore as am using the barnett scorpion clutch after going thru different plates
oh and the 4 speed definatly shifts a little harder than the later 5 speeds
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
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 431
Likes: 3
From: Virginia
It sounds like your spring underneath the primary cover isn't adjusted properly. Get a manual if you don't already have one.
In short though, take the lock nut with the spring on it off, and loosen the adjustment screw CLOCKWISE. It's a reverse screw that's why. Tighten it back up until you feel resistance, and then back it off 1/4 of a turn. Put the lock but back on and turn the adjustment screw clockwise to lock the nut in place. Put the primary cover back on and you're done.
In short though, take the lock nut with the spring on it off, and loosen the adjustment screw CLOCKWISE. It's a reverse screw that's why. Tighten it back up until you feel resistance, and then back it off 1/4 of a turn. Put the lock but back on and turn the adjustment screw clockwise to lock the nut in place. Put the primary cover back on and you're done.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: California
Thanks again for all the input. I pulled the clutch plates, found one of the plates had been install with the rounded side facing the motor, not facing out. I read a forum article mentioning the all needed to face out.
I wiped the frictions clean and cleaned the steels and basket. I reinstalled all plates and the spring plate looked good and solid. I took it on a couple short runs and no problems. Just a mention, I did follow the manual on the clutch and clutch lever adjustment as well as the primary chain. The clutch basketadjustment was not exactly to spec as I had to adjust it after first short run. BUT, I am on my third run with no issues and hoping I am good, usually I would get about 10 miles and the clutch would screw up. No fails so far.
I wiped the frictions clean and cleaned the steels and basket. I reinstalled all plates and the spring plate looked good and solid. I took it on a couple short runs and no problems. Just a mention, I did follow the manual on the clutch and clutch lever adjustment as well as the primary chain. The clutch basketadjustment was not exactly to spec as I had to adjust it after first short run. BUT, I am on my third run with no issues and hoping I am good, usually I would get about 10 miles and the clutch would screw up. No fails so far.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post