This is very embarrassing but I just changed my primary oil after 2 and half years owning my 2002 883C.

I changed it because it was becoming difficult to change gears.

After changing the oil, it became slightly easier but I'm having new problems:

1) Squeaking noises
2) Difficulties to gear up or down
3) Bike stalling on first gear when stopped
4) Impossibility to move rearward to park the bike even if the clutch handle is squeezed.

What could be the problem and what can I do to fix it?

Thanks!

 

Sounds like your clutch is way out of adjustment, then check your primary chain for proper tension.

A Factory Service Manual is highly recommended.

John

 

What john said times 100. It's a machine, service it and take care of it. And you can't do that without a freaking manual.

 

+1 for clutch adjustment. If you're also having trouble finding neutral and moving the bike after a proper adjustment you should check the spring plate in the clutch pack. The rivets coming out and screwing things up is common. I was having that problem and the rivets had come out of mine. I replaced the clutch with a kit from Energy One that eliminates the spring plate.

 

I will check the clutch adjustment and I do own a manual (which doesn't do much of troubleshooting).

 

I think if you adjust it properly, you won't need to worry about any troubleshooting. You have this forum for that.

Let us know how it goes, I hate giving advice and never hearing whether it worked or not. Feedback helps all of us learn.

John

 

I promise to let you know! I will work on it tomorrow morning :-)

 

Cool, thanks I need that information too. My bike is also making squeaking noises and it's impossible to move forward or backward even if the clutch is fully squeezed.

 

+1 adj clutch.
Further thought...what oil did you use?
(Perhaps the clutch plates are sticking together.)

 

I don't recall what oil I used but it was a generic one called (I think) Motor Oil.

I tried to adjust the clutch following the instructions on the service manual and the instructions from a Youtube video.

I don't know if I did something wrong but I'm back to square one. I am not sure whether I should stop turning the adjustment screw counter-clockwise as soon as I feel any kind of resistance, or a lot of resistance.

Either way, the clutch became very loose and I still can't backup the back even if the clutch lever is fully squeezed.

I also noticed that, on the clutch cable, there is very little room to move the adjustment thingie up and down after I loosened the jam nut.

Any idea?