Back story: I'm more than likely the 3rd owner of the bike, got it from what should have been the second owner at 21k miles, he got it from probably the first owner with 5k miles. It has 23k miles on it now. It's a 2008 1200 nightster with again, 23k and some change on it. The guy I got it from said he never had the clutch replaced or adjusted.

Here's whats going on. I replaced the clutch and brake levers myself a few weeks ago, nothing went wrong, everything worked fine. I've put several hundred miles on it since then with no issues. Today, I went for a quick ride, about 15 miles or so, but it started to look like rain so I came back home, parked in front of my house and sat on the porch for a bit while pulling up the weather radar on my phone. Decided it was looking a bit sketchy and the window to ride was very slim, so I rode down to the end of my street and turned into my alley so I could park it in the garage. Get in front of my garage and I can't get it in neutral. Just bypasses it completely, goes into first easily enough, 2nd takes some effort with no grinding, but neutral is not there. Whatever. So I shut the bike off and go open the gate and garage door, fire it back up and ride into the garage. Still can't get it into neutral. Matter of fact, I've noticed even with the clutch in all the way in first gear, the bike is creeping forward slightly. Shut it off, and I can get into neutral easily. Fire it back up, same deal, neutral isn't there, and it creeps very slightly in first.

Primary fluid was changed earlier this summer, may only have 1000 miles on it. Clutch doesn't feel like it's slipping at all to me, it just feels like it's not disengaging all the way in my mind.

So my questions are: Is the tell tale symptoms of a clutch needing adjustment? Or is this ominous signs of a clutch going out? Clutch adjustment something I can handle without a service manual? I work on cars for a living, so turning a wrench is what I do all day, just new to bikes.

 

Classic symptom of clutch dragging. Clutch went out of adjustment, or the cable developed slack. If you didn’t get the cable installed properly it might have popped into place and developed slack.

 

If you haven't re-adjusted it since install go over your adjustment again, you will find the problem. After a new clutch I usually change the primary oil again at 500 miles. Are you filling the primary to the bottom of the derby cover or just to the bottom of clutch basket?

 

Thanks guys, that's what I was thinking. It was acting like an old fox body mustang with a cable driven clutch that was out of adjustment, so I was hoping it was the same deal. Replacing the clutch isn't exactly in the budget right now. I probably should have adjusted the cable when I swapped levers. I didn't because the pivot and cable attachment points were in the same exact location as the factory lever. Figured if everything was the same, just a different style of lever, no adjustment was needed. Plus, it worked fine for several hundred miles.

 

You were on borrowed time! Go through the correct procedure, adjusting at the clutch first, after which all should be fine.

 

Just a tip, make sure you use the clutch adjusting procedure for a Sportster. It is not the same as adjusting the clutch on a big twin. Just did mine like I always do and now have to go back and do it the right way. Turn the center screw under the primary cover until you feel resistance and BACK OFF 1/4 turn.

On a big twin you turn it till you feel resistance and then turn it an additional 1/2 to 1 turn, that is not correct for a Sportster.... need to buy a manual.....

 

I don't know the sporty,but you have that backward on the big twin.Turn in screw till you feel it contact the clutch release rod,then back off a half turn.need to buy a manual.

 

You are correct I was trying to think and type.....

 

First post hope I'm doing it right. Having identical issue as above. Just bought the sporty. Has new heavy duty clutch. Installed a lite clutch ramp for 40% reduced pull on lever. Bike creeps in first and doesn't like going into neutral at a stop light. Goes in ok with ignition off or before coming to a full stop. Clutch adjustment screw is set at 1/4 turn out. Still creeping at stop with lever pulled fully in. Cable was stretching prior to adding lite clutch ramp. Still plenty of adjustment left on cable. Has maybe 700 miles on primary oil. Previous owner using Amsoil. Wondering if it's a cheap clutch cable or what? Tis

 

I've had a similar problem and it turned out to be the compensator. I hope you don't have to deal with that. Also, make sure that your thrust bearing is in good shape. I replace the thrust bearing everytime I replace a clutch. Hard lesson learned 😮‍💨