New guy question
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Joplin, Missouri
New guy question
So i'm new to the whole bike thing and have recently purchased an '04 1200 Custom. I've noticed on a couple rides recently, when I try to switch to 3rd, it wont? If i retry once (sometimes it takes 2 attempts) it will engage. Any ideas where to start? Help the new guy!
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 22
From: Phoenix, AZ
There are a plethera of items it could be.
Let's start with the mileage it has when you bought it?
How many owners before you?
Did they beat the $#it out of the bike?
When was the clutch last adjusted? Who did it?
Let's start with the mileage it has when you bought it?
How many owners before you?
Did they beat the $#it out of the bike?
When was the clutch last adjusted? Who did it?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 1
From: manhattan beach
welcome!
how many miles on the bike?
4th is o.k.?
sure its not a new guy issue? agree with stefan that it could be a number of things- most likely adjustment somewhere (clutch or possibly linkage)
how many miles on the bike?
4th is o.k.?
sure its not a new guy issue? agree with stefan that it could be a number of things- most likely adjustment somewhere (clutch or possibly linkage)
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Joplin, Missouri
Sorry for leaving out the details. It's got 6100 miles on it, 1 previous owner who claimed to have never ragged on it and whose furthest ride was 35 miles away. I'm super new to two-wheels, so I'm not familiar with how to adjust the clutch. It had it's 5k tune-up done at the local HD dealership. All other gears engage fine. Am i looking at a novice operator error? Any help appreciated!
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 1
From: manhattan beach
our clutch is a pretty complicated assembly- usually a clutch problem is felt in first or second gear before others (thats my recollection anyway). with that few miles on the bike it seems to me more likely either driver error or an adjustment needed in cables (could have stretched slightly).
have you been to your local harley dealer? this should be a simple fix for them. they can road test the bike (or if you have a friend who rides, they can do this too) and can probably tell pretty quickly what the problem is.
have you been to your local harley dealer? this should be a simple fix for them. they can road test the bike (or if you have a friend who rides, they can do this too) and can probably tell pretty quickly what the problem is.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 1
From: manhattan beach
just checked the shop manual- it says to look for:
clutch dragging slightlty (clutch adjustment needed)
tranny fluid overfilled
tranny fluid too heavy for temps
shifter return spring bent (its inside the case)
shifter rod bent (this you can see- look for any bent connecting rods)
shifter forks sprung or damaged
corners worn off gear dogs and shifter dog rings (seems to me unlikely on such low mileage bike)
my conclusion- if you are sure its not you, and you cant see any bent rods, next stop is a mechanic...
clutch dragging slightlty (clutch adjustment needed)
tranny fluid overfilled
tranny fluid too heavy for temps
shifter return spring bent (its inside the case)
shifter rod bent (this you can see- look for any bent connecting rods)
shifter forks sprung or damaged
corners worn off gear dogs and shifter dog rings (seems to me unlikely on such low mileage bike)
my conclusion- if you are sure its not you, and you cant see any bent rods, next stop is a mechanic...
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 2
From: Fairmont, Wv
I would not guess it was the clutch. You can shift without the clutch wich also brings me to my thoughts. Shifting without the clutch (speed shifting) gets you there faster and puts you in the next gear in higher rpms. The downfall is that you do screw up the tranny (shifting forks ect.) You need to ask, what kind of guy did you buy the bike off? young? Look like me might want to race it? my guess is that he knew what he had done and pawned the bike off on you. the fact that it does not do this in any other gear is why I do not suspect the clutch....... have it checked out
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Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Joplin, Missouri
Thanks for the help everyone! I'mnot 100% it's not me, so I'll give it a few more weeks and see what develops. As for the guy I bought it from...mid-aged (forties) who sold it because he just bought a new Heritage and couldnt afford both payments. Didnt fit the road thrasher type really. Once again, thanks for the help!
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 22
From: Phoenix, AZ
[QUOTE=trlb21;6478166] It's got 6100 miles on it, 1 previous owner who claimed to have never ragged on it and whose furthest ride was 35 miles away. It had it's 5k tune-up done at the local HD dealership. QUOTE]
A 2004 with only 6100 miles? The tranny fluid (gear oil) is wicked old! You need to change the tranny fluid, or have it changed for you (the gasket can be a pain). New fluid works wonders for the shifting of the tranny, good synthetic fluid also reduces gear noise. Like any oil it should be changed 1-2 times per year or every 5k miles, whichever comes first. I have not used Syn3 in the tranny.
A 2004 with only 6100 miles? The tranny fluid (gear oil) is wicked old! You need to change the tranny fluid, or have it changed for you (the gasket can be a pain). New fluid works wonders for the shifting of the tranny, good synthetic fluid also reduces gear noise. Like any oil it should be changed 1-2 times per year or every 5k miles, whichever comes first. I have not used Syn3 in the tranny.