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Clutch adjust or replace?

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Old 06-23-2018, 06:44 PM
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Default Clutch adjust or replace?
Got an 883 this week. The clutch engages at near full travel, and I did an adjustment. Still engages at neatly full travel.

My guesses are a cable slightly too long or worn clutch plates. Your experience welcome. This makes for less than enjoyable shifting.

~john
 
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Old 06-23-2018, 06:53 PM
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did you adjust at the clutch basket first then the cable?
 
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Old 06-23-2018, 07:02 PM
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Yep. Turned left to just snug then backed off 1/4. Then tightened the adjuster on the cable.
 
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Old 06-23-2018, 07:52 PM
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My sons new iron 883 engages towards the top as well, and thats a new clutch. I’m sure you can adjust it just needs a lil work. I haven’t tried playing with it yet as it’s only a few days old and he’s getting used to it as a first bike.
 
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Old 06-23-2018, 08:06 PM
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I sure hope there’s a fix. This is anything but normal, to me.
 
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Old 06-23-2018, 09:50 PM
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Coming from owning all metric bikes (8 total in 30+ years) before the Sportster, I can tell you that Harley Davidson's clutch engagement is TOTALLY different. Both my son's '17 Iron and my '17 Superlow clutch engagement seemed abrupt compared to a metric bike. Took a few days to get used to it, but seems perfectly normal now.

And yes, both are adjusted correctly.
 
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Old 06-23-2018, 10:29 PM
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Originally Posted by firehawk6
Coming from owning all metric bikes (8 total in 30+ years) before the Sportster, I can tell you that Harley Davidson's clutch engagement is TOTALLY different. Both my son's '17 Iron and my '17 Superlow clutch engagement seemed abrupt compared to a metric bike. Took a few days to get used to it, but seems perfectly normal now.

And yes, both are adjusted correctly.
Having owned two Sportsters and a Super Glide, my experience doesn’t jibe with yours. I’m in danger of arguing where I’m looking for help, but, honestly, I consider the issue/problem I’ve posed to be solvable. Merely accepting it is not a satisfying solution.

Thanks.
 
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Old 06-23-2018, 10:42 PM
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Originally Posted by kre84u


Having owned two Sportsters and a Super Glide, my experience doesn’t jibe with yours. I’m in danger of arguing where I’m looking for help, but, honestly, I consider the issue/problem I’ve posed to be solvable. Merely accepting it is not a satisfying solution.

Thanks.
Sorry, I wrongly assumed the 883 was your first Harley, so I was just stating my personal experiences between a metric and an HD clutch engagement thinking that might be the issue.

Post up your fix for this as I'm curious what you end up doing.
 
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Old 06-23-2018, 11:47 PM
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I would adjust at the basket again and mess around with different backed out possitions to see what works for you. I've definitely had different clutch disengagement points in doing so. One thing I've found with the sportster is that the engagement point is very tempermental if both clutch basket adjustment and clutch lever adjustment aren't almost perfect.
 
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Old 06-24-2018, 12:24 AM
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Originally Posted by firehawk6
Sorry, I wrongly assumed the 883 was your first Harley, so I was just stating my personal experiences between a metric and an HD clutch engagement thinking that might be the issue.

Post up your fix for this as I'm curious what you end up doing.
Will do. Thanks!
 
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