Clutch pull
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Sandpoint, Idaho
Clutch pull
Just picked up an 05' xl883 a couple of months ago, 14,500 miles. Had not been started since 2015. Got all of the fluids changed and it runs perfect but it seems like the clutch pull is excessively hard. Twice that of my Road King or my privious Ironhead. Is that normal?
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From: Pennsylvania
And/or the clutch cable needs to be cleaned/lubed or replaced. The grease/oil in the cable may be old & hardened.
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: Sandpoint, Idaho
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 89
Likes: 29
From: GTA
Lube the clutch cable with cable lube (or even motor oil is fine I believe) first. If it's still a strong pull, you'd either need to install a softer diaphragm spring (if it was indeed upgraded), or consider replacing your clutch ramp mechanism with one that has a longer arm (I installed a Muller clutch ramp on my bike and like it a lot), or both.
Edit: Oops, beaten by good comments above. Nice bike!
Edit: Oops, beaten by good comments above. Nice bike!
Last edited by epswing; Jan 15, 2024 at 10:28 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2022
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From: LA Ca.
If you plan to lube the cable, there are some lube tools to make life easier. Motion Pro, for instance, has two different types. Both are designed to be used with an aerosol spray lube, like WD40, or one of the actual lubes.
https://www.jpcycles.com/search?_utf...ry=cable+luber
The two with the two screws seem to fit many cables. The first one, blue plastic, is a nice one, but may not work on all cables, like a throttle cable that has the adjuster built into the cable. You need the clamp style so you can get below the adjuster.
And as always, this is just an example and aprox. price. Check your favorite store for pricing. You can get them from various brands at the rain forest river or the bay of fleas.
Good luck!
Tom
https://www.jpcycles.com/search?_utf...ry=cable+luber
The two with the two screws seem to fit many cables. The first one, blue plastic, is a nice one, but may not work on all cables, like a throttle cable that has the adjuster built into the cable. You need the clamp style so you can get below the adjuster.
And as always, this is just an example and aprox. price. Check your favorite store for pricing. You can get them from various brands at the rain forest river or the bay of fleas.
Good luck!
Tom
Last edited by Tom H; Jan 15, 2024 at 10:52 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: Sandpoint, Idaho
Thanks guys, I'm very familiar with Harleys, ridden since '69. Just wanted to make sure excessively hard pull was not normal for the 04' later Sporty before I started looking for a non-existant problem.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2019
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From: Santa Ana, CA
There have been a lot of threads on this and it is somewhat subjective. Personally, I think the stock clutch pull on the sportster is very stiff (with everything fuctioning properly) compared to any bike I have owned or ridden. I ride a 2003 and the stock clutch action will have my hand cramping in an hour of city riding. The rubber mounts I have ridden felt the same way generally so I would say that it's normal.
Last edited by OCSpringer; Jan 17, 2024 at 12:02 AM.
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HDF Community Team
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From: San Diego, CA
A knowledgeable member over on XLF said one of the aftermarket diaphragm springs was a better design (maybe Energy One) and was an easier pull even though it was an upgraded spring with more pressure. IDK, maybe someone has tried one? It wasn't the judder spring mod he did to his bike, just a clutch/spring upgrade.
John
John
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From: The Wasteland
My bro in law has a 99 Sportster that will break your damn hand after a few pulls.
I have an 07 Sporty that is like butter compared to his.
Start by lubing the cable real good and go from there.
I have an 07 Sporty that is like butter compared to his.
Start by lubing the cable real good and go from there.