Clutch plates
Clutch plates
Hi. I have a 2005 Custom Sportster. I am having clutch problems. My dad and I have gone through all of the adjustments and checked everything and have it narrowed down to the clutch plates must be warped. When the clutch is engaged, the rear wheel will not dissengage. The wheel keeps spinning and cant be stopped. When I shift, I get a grinding "clunk". I called Harley and asked them for a guestimate price on this repair... they said between 500-700 dollars. Did I mention I am a full time student... unemployed? I was wondering if any of you have done this repair and how much of a nightmare would it be for me to do the work myself? I do regular maintainance on my bike, but that is about it. My dad is a pretty good mechanic though, even though he rides a Gold Wing. My bike is my primary transportation to and from school. I ride 70plus miles a day, rain or shine. I am sure it isn't good for me to still be riding with this problem, but I don't have much choice. Anyway, thanks in advance. I would appreciate any helpful advise I can get.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
How many miles are on the bike?
One of the plates in the clutch pack is what's called a Spring Plate and it's a common failure item somewhere between 25K-50K miles, earlier with mostly city riding, later with mostly highway riding.
Once the Spring plate starts to go you loose clutch adjustment. Repaired quickly and it's just the Spring plate + labor. Keep riding it and you'll be replacing the entire clutch basket + labor, and that's in the neighborhood of $800-$1000 if it's done by the dealer.
One of the plates in the clutch pack is what's called a Spring Plate and it's a common failure item somewhere between 25K-50K miles, earlier with mostly city riding, later with mostly highway riding.
Once the Spring plate starts to go you loose clutch adjustment. Repaired quickly and it's just the Spring plate + labor. Keep riding it and you'll be replacing the entire clutch basket + labor, and that's in the neighborhood of $800-$1000 if it's done by the dealer.
you can buy everything seperate i bought drag specialties friction discs and steel plate for around 95 through an indy then the spring plate through a dealer. oh an barnett heavy duty spring for 32. if you do it your self make sure to buy the tool that will push down all the fingers of the spring down or the snap ring will never go down.
my buddy made mine its very simple just might be harder for someone without a welder just study it. and when you take your clutch apart lay it down in order so you know how to put it together. the service manual is a must also
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Does the "mistress" in your name apply to you or your bike?
I ask because the Spring Plate and the problems it causes, every 25K or so miles, can be eliminated by replacing the spring plate with two additional steel plates and a friction plate. This is basically what the optional HD SE clutch pack consists of and what I did to mine.
The downside to eliminating the spring plate is that the force required to pull and hold the clutch level almost doubles. You need a strong hand to handle it.
I ask because the Spring Plate and the problems it causes, every 25K or so miles, can be eliminated by replacing the spring plate with two additional steel plates and a friction plate. This is basically what the optional HD SE clutch pack consists of and what I did to mine.
The downside to eliminating the spring plate is that the force required to pull and hold the clutch level almost doubles. You need a strong hand to handle it.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
Here is a thread I started about the clutch a year or 2 ago. I know more about this than I ever wanted.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...tch-alert.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...tch-alert.html
Does the "mistress" in your name apply to you or your bike?
I ask because the Spring Plate and the problems it causes, every 25K or so miles, can be eliminated by replacing the spring plate with two additional steel plates and a friction plate. This is basically what the optional HD SE clutch pack consists of and what I did to mine.
The downside to eliminating the spring plate is that the force required to pull and hold the clutch level almost doubles. You need a strong hand to handle it.
I ask because the Spring Plate and the problems it causes, every 25K or so miles, can be eliminated by replacing the spring plate with two additional steel plates and a friction plate. This is basically what the optional HD SE clutch pack consists of and what I did to mine.
The downside to eliminating the spring plate is that the force required to pull and hold the clutch level almost doubles. You need a strong hand to handle it.