I picked up a 99 1200S last week off ebay. My first Sporty - been a big twin owner for quite a while At any rate, the effort required to pull in the clutch lever is astounding! I lubed the cable, but that doesn't appear to make much difference. I have not yet checked to see what sort of spring(s) are installed. I did note in the new HD Accessories catalog that the EZ Pull ball and ramp used on newer big twins is not available for Sportsters.

Is this kind of effort normal on a Sporty? Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

it shouldnt be that bad. i would try to compare it to another sporty in person to be sure, kinda hard to describe in words through a forum how its supposed to feel.

 

Also lube the pivot point at the lever, if not try a new cable, if it is original it's probably worn out.
I think there was someone on here a while ago that had installed an easy pull kit that included a cable and pully mounted down by the clutch actuator arm.
Here one thread on the topic.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sportster-models/238763-easy-pull-clutch.html

 

I installed a drag specialties Muller power clutch on both my sportsters, makes a huge differance in the pull.

 

I installed the ez pull clutch on my '08 XLC...I'd say it reduced the "effort" by about 30%...and of course as the cold weather crept upon me, it got even tougher...but I don't regret the purchase....

 

I installed a Drag Specialties Muller power clutch on my bike and am happy with it.

 

Sportster clutches do have a bit of a pull to them, You should see my Popeye forearms from my sportster. Check some other sportsters in the same age range. They shouldn't be "too" hard to pull.

 

on my 2000 1200 it took both hands to pull inthe clutch so we added a White Brothers easy pull to the tranny and that made it wonderful. Also a company called Amp Research does a clutch pull helper that is external and help reduce the pull about 50%.

 

I installed an AMP power clutch on my wifes 02 and it works.The internal type changes the amount of clutch throw/cable travel and the AMP power clutch doesn't.Here is a link and my wife likes it.The newer Sporties,mines an 06 are easy to pull. http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup...=Harley&page=1