I have a 2005 Sportster 883C, carbed. I've had the bike for about 3 months, and have put 2,000 miles on it since then. There are 4,100 miles total on the odometer. Just recently, within the last 2 days, I've noticed that while the bike is in high idle, it won't shift into 1st gear from neutral, almost as if I'm not sqeezing the clutch. Even after the bike is warmed up, and the choke is off, going into 1st from neutral is a still a bit rough, the gears still skip a bit. What would cause this? This is my first bike and I am not a motorhead so please... layman's terms. Thanks.

 

Sounds like it's time for a clutch adjustment and check your primary chain (it's inside the primary case) adjustment as well. I also usually warm up the bike a couple minutes so you aren't shifting into first at high idle.

A factory service manual (FSM) should be your next purchase.

John

 

Yep. Best way to avoid any clutch issue if yours isn't in need of an adjustment. How are the rest of the gears?

 

i find that pumping my clutch a 2 or 3 times before i shift, makes it go smoother.
im no mechanic, but i know that the big "clunk" sound when i shift is a lot quieter, sometimes none existent when i pump the clutch.
the warmer the bike the less the "clunk".
i know not being able to shift and the sound it makes are different issues, but it might be worth a try

 

The rest of the gears seem ok. Gonna try those adjustments today and see what happens.