Gear indicator in fifth gear disappears under full throttle

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Jul 13, 2022 | 11:21 AM

HD WEST

Thread Starter

Stage II

Joined: Apr 2020

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

From: Tucson AZ

Gear indicator in fifth gear disappears under full throttle

Gear indicator in fifth gear disappears under full throttle, So like the title says; curious if anyone else’s noticed this issue with their sporty? I have a 2017 iron 883 for reference. Thanks for your help

Jul 13, 2022 | 05:28 PM

cj24

Road Master

Joined: Nov 2018

Posts: 860

Likes: 262

From: CA

Is your clutch slipping? May need adjustment

Jul 13, 2022 | 06:58 PM

John Harper

HDF Community Team

Joined: Dec 2011

Posts: 8,512

Likes: 3,924

From: San Diego, CA

You've hit warp factor one, Mr. Scott.

John

Jul 13, 2022 | 11:16 PM

HD WEST

Thread Starter

Stage II

Joined: Apr 2020

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

From: Tucson AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj24

Is your clutch slipping? May need adjustment

I have play in my clutch lever ; it’s not too tight, maybe moving to a colder climate affects it ?

Jul 13, 2022 | 11:20 PM

TriGeezer

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 32,934

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From: Carlsbad, CA

The clutch I slipping.

Jul 14, 2022 | 03:38 AM

Rob Roy's Revenge

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2017

Posts: 1,963

Likes: 1,579

From: Scottish Highlands.

Surely you know what gear you are in without it having to be displayed on your speedometer, modern technology is taking the skill out of motorcycling in my opinion. My 2011 XL883N doesn't have a gear indicator and that suits me just fine and dandy as I know which gear I'm in without a micro chip telling me. The only problem I have is that I keep looking for a sixth gear on my five speed transmission, a sixth gear on the rubber mounted Sportster models would have been ideal as an overdrive.

Jul 14, 2022 | 03:47 AM

Andy from Sandy

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2017

Posts: 12,218

Likes: 4,930

From: England

Quote:

I have play in my clutch lever ; it’s not too tight, maybe moving to a colder climate affects it ?

The clutch adjustment is not performed with the cable but with the release mechanism under the derby cover. As the plates wear it is important to make the adjustment else the situation just gets worse. That is what the backing off the 1/4 turn does with the screw.

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Jul 14, 2022 | 05:09 AM

Rob Roy's Revenge

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2017

Posts: 1,963

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From: Scottish Highlands.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy from Sandy

Haven't you forgotten something sonny? After adjusting the clutch you also need to allow for 2mm to 3mm of slack at the top of the clutch cable to prevent the clutch plates from dragging against each other, the adjustment for the hand lever end is made using the adjuster on the cable. When the slack at the top of the cable is correctly adjusted the clutch will perform faultlessly.

After adjusting the correct slack at the lever, clean any rust from the adjuster, grease it and put a small zip tie at either end of the rubber gaiter. The gaiter is not waterproof so it's not unusual to have rust on the adjuster, a stainless steel adjuster would be far better than the zinc plated item that H-D use as stock equipment.