Clutch Cable Adjustment Question
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 378
Likes: 100
From: PA
Clutch Cable Adjustment Question
This is my first Harley and I have question about adjusting the clutch cable. I know how to adjust it, that isn't the problem, but the issue I'm having is that the adjuster keeps loosening itself (red arrow) despite the jam nut (green arrow) being tight. The attached picture isn't my bike, just an image I pulled off google.
Even after tightening the jam nut, I can still move the adjuster with my fingers. I just got back from an 800 mile weekend and had to adjust this cable three times. The threads on the adjuster are oily for some reason. The last time this happened, I sprayed carb cleaner on the threads and cleaned them up the best I could in the parking lot of autozone. I then put a dab of blue locktite on the threads where the jam nut sits. I let it cure for an hour while I had lunch next door. This 'fix' held for 300 miles and I made it home without issue. This morning before I left for work, I checked the adjuster and it's loose enough to move with my fingers again.
The threads aren't stripped...am I missing something? It's a 2009 street glide, probably the original clutch cable (I'm the second owner) if I had to guess. 23k on the odo.
Even after tightening the jam nut, I can still move the adjuster with my fingers. I just got back from an 800 mile weekend and had to adjust this cable three times. The threads on the adjuster are oily for some reason. The last time this happened, I sprayed carb cleaner on the threads and cleaned them up the best I could in the parking lot of autozone. I then put a dab of blue locktite on the threads where the jam nut sits. I let it cure for an hour while I had lunch next door. This 'fix' held for 300 miles and I made it home without issue. This morning before I left for work, I checked the adjuster and it's loose enough to move with my fingers again.
The threads aren't stripped...am I missing something? It's a 2009 street glide, probably the original clutch cable (I'm the second owner) if I had to guess. 23k on the odo.
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 8
From: illinois
well if your gonna adjust your cable its a good idea to do the clutch itself as well since one controls the other, I myself have never adjusted the cable alone and not the clutch itself. so with that said it is possible. I would look at the manual for your bike. on mine there is a spring in the clutch cable housing if I'm remembering right. and adjusting the clutch tightens that spring I believe. I'm not looking at the manual I'm going off memory.
just adjust your clutch and see what happens if not maybe its the spring in the clutch cable housing on the right side of your bike. not knowing your mileage , the type of cable you have on your bike. weather its the original cable or not. if its the original cable it could just need replace. in which case you will have to adjust your clutch when you put a new cable on. like I say there are a lot of factors there to look at
just adjust your clutch and see what happens if not maybe its the spring in the clutch cable housing on the right side of your bike. not knowing your mileage , the type of cable you have on your bike. weather its the original cable or not. if its the original cable it could just need replace. in which case you will have to adjust your clutch when you put a new cable on. like I say there are a lot of factors there to look at
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,625
From: along the shore of Mishigami
I've never had the problem you are describing but then I cinch the jam nut to the adjuster pretty good. Do a complete adjustment on a cold engine and let us know how that works out for you.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 310
From: coastal sc
I would try tightening it more, It Is a little hard to get to but I snug it down tight and have never had 1 move. Is the jam nut backing off of the adjuster. A picture of yours might shed some light on the problem. post a pic when u get a chance.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 378
Likes: 100
From: PA
I appreciate the advice. I tried to do the clutch adjustment last night, but discovered that I'm going to need to pick up a set of wrenches with a heck of a lot more offset than the set in my toolbox offers.
I can see where someone tried to back that nut off before and chewed a corner up. Might as well change the oil since the cover is off and I'm in there anyways.
I can see where someone tried to back that nut off before and chewed a corner up. Might as well change the oil since the cover is off and I'm in there anyways.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,476
Likes: 193
From: Las Vegas, NV
It sounds like you might have a bad cable that is leaking if you have oil on it. It shouldn't be that hard to tighten up the adjuster/jam nut
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 967
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From: Reno, NV
All the above, and you should pull on it at the clutch perch, and have 1/16 to 1/8 inch of play on the hand lever also.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,172
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From: Georgia
A nickel on edge is an excellent way to get that gap right.