Another Clutch Adjustment Help Thread...
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 115
Likes: 7
From: California
Another Clutch Adjustment Help Thread...
I feel stupid for even having to do this since I've had no trouble adjusting clutches before but I'd rather ask before I pulled everything apart.
This past weekend I did a 3 hole fluid change on my 12 Street Glide and figured I'd adjust the clutch while I was at it. With the engine cold I let the slack out of the cable, cracked the lock nut on the adjuster bolt and wound the bolt out a few cranks. Then I wound the bolt back in until there was slight resistance, backed it out between 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn, locked the nut back on and took the slack back out of the cable. When I started the bike up the clutch was dragging bad so I waited until the bike was cool and tried again. I've now redone this about 10 times and it keeps alternating between slipping and dragging.
At this point I think it may have something to do with the clutch cable but I'm not 100% sure. The cable is aftermarket (not sure the brand, it was on there when I got the bike) and has a soft plastic outer sleeve. When I let the slack out of the cable the adjustment screw backed completely off of the sleeve and I noticed that the sleeve was bunched up under where the screw had been sitting. Now I cant get the screw to slide back over the sleeve completely no matter how hard I try. I believe whats happening is when I make the adjustment to the clutch and tighten everything up the adjustment screw on the cable is slowly moving back up over the sleeve and throwing everything out of adjustment. There have been several times that I've tested the clutch in the garage and its spot on, only for it to be out of adjustment when I took it for a test ride.
So am I crazy or is it probably the cable? Sorry for the long post but I've been pulling my hair out for 3 days now.
This past weekend I did a 3 hole fluid change on my 12 Street Glide and figured I'd adjust the clutch while I was at it. With the engine cold I let the slack out of the cable, cracked the lock nut on the adjuster bolt and wound the bolt out a few cranks. Then I wound the bolt back in until there was slight resistance, backed it out between 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn, locked the nut back on and took the slack back out of the cable. When I started the bike up the clutch was dragging bad so I waited until the bike was cool and tried again. I've now redone this about 10 times and it keeps alternating between slipping and dragging.
At this point I think it may have something to do with the clutch cable but I'm not 100% sure. The cable is aftermarket (not sure the brand, it was on there when I got the bike) and has a soft plastic outer sleeve. When I let the slack out of the cable the adjustment screw backed completely off of the sleeve and I noticed that the sleeve was bunched up under where the screw had been sitting. Now I cant get the screw to slide back over the sleeve completely no matter how hard I try. I believe whats happening is when I make the adjustment to the clutch and tighten everything up the adjustment screw on the cable is slowly moving back up over the sleeve and throwing everything out of adjustment. There have been several times that I've tested the clutch in the garage and its spot on, only for it to be out of adjustment when I took it for a test ride.
So am I crazy or is it probably the cable? Sorry for the long post but I've been pulling my hair out for 3 days now.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 433
I've adjusted the clutch cable several times on my bike and my wife's bike without any problems. The last time I did it to mine was the evening before a poker run. Did the adjustment without any noticeable problems.
The next day on the ride to the dealership where the run started, my clutch kept dragging and changing gears was not easy. Frustrated, I went into the service department and payed them for a complete clutch adjustment. The bike was warm and they did a great job. That was a couple months ago and it's worked fine since.
My point is, there may not be anything wrong other than something in your adjustment may be wrong. Give it another go and it may be just fine. I never did know what I did wrong but obviously I screwed it up somehow.
The next day on the ride to the dealership where the run started, my clutch kept dragging and changing gears was not easy. Frustrated, I went into the service department and payed them for a complete clutch adjustment. The bike was warm and they did a great job. That was a couple months ago and it's worked fine since.
My point is, there may not be anything wrong other than something in your adjustment may be wrong. Give it another go and it may be just fine. I never did know what I did wrong but obviously I screwed it up somehow.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 115
Likes: 7
From: California
Thank brother. I'm gonna give it another go tonight after work. If it can't get it in one more try I'm gonna swap out the cable with an extra I have laying around. The more I think about it the more I think its the cable.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 565
Likes: 152
From: Calgary, Alberta
Did you set the free play on the lever to about 1/8"? If you did, and the clutch slips, then it's not fully engaging and is getting hung up somewhere. If the clutch drags, then there's too much 'give' in the cable. The fact that the cable jacket is bunching up could have everything to do with it. If you get everything set up and the clutch drags, pull back the boot where the cable jacket is bunching up and pull the clutch lever a couple of times. If you see any change in the bunching, then that is the problem. At every interface of the cable to an adjuster or stop, it is important that there is no movement possible that would change the length of the cable (aside from the clutch lever movement).
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 115
Likes: 7
From: California
Before I did the clutch adjustment there was no freeplay in the cable on the bars (how I got it from the previous owner). I loosened it up once to try and give it some slack and the clutch started dragging so I tightened it back up again. I was trying to fix that problem by doing the adjustment. I've put nearly 5k miles on since I got the bike 2 months ago and aside from there being some slight drag in the clutch and there being no slack in the cable I've had no issues with it... until I decided to **** everything up!
So far I haven't had a second set of eyes to keep a lookout for any movement in the clutch cable and with the aftermarket clutch its too stiff to pull and have a look around at the same time. I have a buddy coming over tonight so we should be able to check it out.
As a temporary fix I might just strip away some of the ribs on the bunched up jacket to get it to seat properly. If that fixes it then I know its the cable.
I appreciate all the replies so far.
So far I haven't had a second set of eyes to keep a lookout for any movement in the clutch cable and with the aftermarket clutch its too stiff to pull and have a look around at the same time. I have a buddy coming over tonight so we should be able to check it out.
As a temporary fix I might just strip away some of the ribs on the bunched up jacket to get it to seat properly. If that fixes it then I know its the cable.
I appreciate all the replies so far.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 565
Likes: 152
From: Calgary, Alberta
Yeah, it's worth a try. Worst case you'll need a new cable.
It should help to have your buddy pulling the clutch while you watch. My guess is that you'll see some movement. There should always be some free play in the clutch lever to allow for temp variances changing internal and external tolerances. If there is no free play in order to eliminate any drag, then your assumption that sumpin' ain't right is correct.
Best of luck!
It should help to have your buddy pulling the clutch while you watch. My guess is that you'll see some movement. There should always be some free play in the clutch lever to allow for temp variances changing internal and external tolerances. If there is no free play in order to eliminate any drag, then your assumption that sumpin' ain't right is correct.
Best of luck!
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 11
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From: Kamloops
hey Iam new on here anew ohms like to ask a question on this site but can't seem to
any help would be great !! my 97 road king, I installed a new barrette clutch kit in it yesterday and now totally have way to much slack in my able not sure why !! I tried adjusting the adjusting bot and cable basically runs out of adjustment not even close
any help would be great !! my 97 road king, I installed a new barrette clutch kit in it yesterday and now totally have way to much slack in my able not sure why !! I tried adjusting the adjusting bot and cable basically runs out of adjustment not even close