Up shifting
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Which shift method do you use, toe up or heal down when upshifting? On my EG, I prefer toe up, but heal down yields a considerably smoother shift. When using toe up, on occasion I’ll have my boot under the shifter getting ready to pull, but there is enough upward pressure to pop it out of gear as soon as I start to pull the lever in. I guess it’s a brain/hand/lifting the foot to shift timing issue for me (all of which are becoming a challenge for me because according to some...I have no brain). 
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 807
From: Washington
Back to Basics?
Hello
I have a 2014 Street Glide 103. When I up shift I can feel the gears fighting back. Almost like it’s not synced right. The clutch seems to be disengaging ok while stopped but just seems to be coming up short while up shifting. I change all fluids regularly. Any ideas?
I have a 2014 Street Glide 103. When I up shift I can feel the gears fighting back. Almost like it’s not synced right. The clutch seems to be disengaging ok while stopped but just seems to be coming up short while up shifting. I change all fluids regularly. Any ideas?
1) Adjust/ check the linkage per the shop manual.
2) Lubricate the rotating points on the linkage (ball joints)
3) Change primary and transmission fluids using HD Formula One - their are a lot of opinions but thats what it came from the factory with. You can experiment later after your problem is solved.
4) Be very exact about the amount of fluid you put back in. Let them drain well, then put in what the shop manual says. A few ounces can make a difference.
Once you do that you have a known starting point for any needed troubleshooting, whether you do it or a mechanic does.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Fill to the dip-stick! Putting in the amount specified in the FSM doesn't guarantee the correct level and may cause over-fill - that is why there is a dip-stick.....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 217
From: Puyallup Wa.
flush the hydraulic clutch fluid and rebleed the system. If your fluid looks really bad you might have to do this a few times. I have a 14 street glide and I'm having the same problem. First time when I read blood the system worked like jam then the same symptoms came back. Irie bled the system second time and it's good as of right now. With lots of digging on the internet I found a reference on the internet the guy said he literally flushed a couple quarts through system and then he hasn't had a problem for a couple of years. He said he kept having the same problems. There's a two year extended warranty on the clutch system but my Harley shop here they are no help.
Man, glad I have an old adjustable cable clutch. I don't like the sounds of these hydraulic clutches.
My friend was sitting in traffic with his 2018 RG and it just started creeping forward with him. He had to lock the brakes and kill it to get it to stop. Found out the system needed bleeding.
My friend was sitting in traffic with his 2018 RG and it just started creeping forward with him. He had to lock the brakes and kill it to get it to stop. Found out the system needed bleeding.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 403
Likes: 7
when you up shift only pull the clutch leaver enough to take away torque not all the way to the bar. it will shift more positive like shifting without a clutch but without the harshness.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Man, glad I have an old adjustable cable clutch. I don't like the sounds of these hydraulic clutches.
My friend was sitting in traffic with his 2018 RG and it just started creeping forward with him. He had to lock the brakes and kill it to get it to stop. Found out the system needed bleeding.
My friend was sitting in traffic with his 2018 RG and it just started creeping forward with him. He had to lock the brakes and kill it to get it to stop. Found out the system needed bleeding.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 11,732
Likes: 9,168
From: Georgia
I only use the heel shifter to stop my foot sliding backwards off the foot board! The shifter mechanism is rather like a two stage trigger - there is slack in the system which I take out using my toe, before disengaging the clutch. The only motion of the shifter while the clutch is disengaged is the second stage of movement. Indeed I apply pressure on the second stage as I start releasing the clutch.