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Having an issue with putting my bike in gear at first start up. Bike is a 1976XLH Sportster 1000. I have completed rebuilt everything on this bike except the frame. Everything inside the primary is brand new. Primary chain( properly adjusted ) new compensator, new ramp, new adjuster screw, new friction plates and steels, new cable ( properly adjusted) clutch is adjusted per FSM specifications. When I first start the bike, after warm up, it is a real bitch to get it into gear. After screwing around it will go into gear and works fine in operation on the road. But trying to get it in gear initially, it just grinds. I have even dropped the idle some just to see it it was just moving to fast to catch? No idea! Any suggestions what to check or where to look for problems? Sure hope it's not in the transmission!
I can't help but the 2008 I have here sounds like it might explode going into 1st. It has been like that for 22,000 miles of ownership. It literally needs good smash down on the gear lever else it will grind the gears a bit before engaging.
My Dyna will bang and lurch a bit on a cold first start going into first with everything adjusted properly. I learned something that helps me, maybe you as well.
When you start the bike and let it idle, hold in the clutch lever for a few moments (10-15 seconds?). When I do this, it's almost noiseless going into first.
My Dyna will bang and lurch a bit on a cold first start going into first with everything adjusted properly. I learned something that helps me, maybe you as well.
When you start the bike and let it idle, hold in the clutch lever for a few moments (10-15 seconds?). When I do this, it's almost noiseless going into first.
It's possible the clutch plates are sticking, that happens on the later Sportsters and causes a "clunk" when going into first when motor is cold. It goes away as things warm up.
It's possible the clutch plates are sticking, that happens on the later Sportsters and causes a "clunk" when going into first when motor is cold. It goes away as things warm up.
John
I did have Amsoil 20w50 full synthetic in the primary to begin with. I took it apart ( again) ,cleaned everything off ,refilled it with straight 60w, no improvement? I may try adjusting the clutch release again but without the 1/4-1/2 turn out just to see if that helps. At this point I'm kinda stumped.
Chris, yer 76 is the last year of the transfer valve. That means motor oil and trans/primary oil are all the same. Lucky you, ya got the damn crossover shaft. The Feds declared in 74 standardized left shift and right brake. Check the adjustment on the shifter. Glad to hear ya ain't gonna stomp it into gear. Sounds like it's an adjustment issue. Do ya have both clutch springs OR 1 heavy duty spring? Tight primary chain, tight drive chain, not enough cable freeplay and clutch basket adjustments off WILL cause hard to engage/disengage 1st gear. Think of the "recomended " adjustment turns out after lightly seated . . . . as a suggestion. What's happening is the clutch plated are not releasing completely causing pressure on the gears.
I think if you do not turn the adjuster back in that 1/4 turn you will not have any free play in the release mechanism. As the clutch wears you will then end up with a slipping clutch.
Stomping into gear, not actually but more a speed thing to do it quickly as opposed to forcibly.
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Hard initial gear engagement
