Clutch dragging with lots of cable slack when hot.
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2023
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From: OK
Clutch dragging with lots of cable slack when hot.
1989 4 speed 883. When the bikes cold, the clutch seems fine and the bike shifts okay but as the transmission gets got, the clutch lever slack increases and the clutch wants to drag sometimes - especially if I'm slipping it during low speed maneuvers. The transmission is noticeably harder to shift as well. Ive done the clutch and cable adjustments multiple times but it's still giving me issues. Any advice?
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,512
Likes: 3,924
From: San Diego, CA
It appears you do have a spring plate in your 1990 clutch, but, oddly enough, I've never read of one failing like '91 and later. You also might consider the release bearing as well. Do a proper (by the book) clutch adjustment, and then you might have to take a look at the clutch pack and bearing. Good luck.
Of course, 86-90 bikes are quite different in some important areas than '91 and later, which is what most of us here have.
John
Of course, 86-90 bikes are quite different in some important areas than '91 and later, which is what most of us here have.
John
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 521
From: USA
Interesting thread.
Heat is causing the clutch cable to lengthen (so to say) and causing the clutch discs to drag.
FWIW
I am not familiar with the year 1989.
Seems that the lever from the clutch cable (inside primary) end to the clutch assm alters its position.
The bearing may be the answer as our co-member writes.
Perhaps the clutch fiber plates are expanding or contracting from heat.
Could it be the clutch cable is lengthening from heat?
It may be time to disassemble for inspection of the clutch basket plus install 100% new clutch plates.
My vote: as a stopgap, change your trans oil to Harley branded and report.
Good luck, again interesting thread.
Heat is causing the clutch cable to lengthen (so to say) and causing the clutch discs to drag.
FWIW
I am not familiar with the year 1989.
Seems that the lever from the clutch cable (inside primary) end to the clutch assm alters its position.
The bearing may be the answer as our co-member writes.
Perhaps the clutch fiber plates are expanding or contracting from heat.
Could it be the clutch cable is lengthening from heat?
It may be time to disassemble for inspection of the clutch basket plus install 100% new clutch plates.
My vote: as a stopgap, change your trans oil to Harley branded and report.
Good luck, again interesting thread.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 222
Likes: 117
From: Kentucky
If it were me I'd open the primary and inspect the clutch and everything inside, One thing you don't want the clutch hub chewing up your stator and hub magnets. It doesn't's it sound like it but better safe than sorry. It's not that much trouble to check.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,093
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From: South Carolina
If the clutch is not adjusted correctly and is slipping, it will overheat the clutch and it will feel like there is a lot of slack in the lever.
Try adjusting the clutch (when cold) in accordance with the service manual, if that doesn`t help, it will be time to disassemble and inspect the throwout bearing and the clutch plates, especially the spring (aka grenade) plate.
Try adjusting the clutch (when cold) in accordance with the service manual, if that doesn`t help, it will be time to disassemble and inspect the throwout bearing and the clutch plates, especially the spring (aka grenade) plate.
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spgtti
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