Shift lever tension

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Apr 25, 2018 | 08:20 AM

clhollister

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Stage II

Joined: Apr 2018

Posts: 2

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From: MN

Shift lever tension

2017 FLHXS purchased new January 2018. The shift lever is very tight. The reach and amount of effort needed to pull clutch lever to shift gears causes hand fatigue. What are options to help decrease tension?

Last edited by clhollister; Apr 25, 2018 at 08:26 AM.

Apr 25, 2018 | 08:34 AM

btsom

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2012

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From: Oklahoma

SHIFT lever or CLUTCH lever? If it is the clutch lever, many have complained about the higher effort of the hydraulic clutch system. This is such a personal evaluation that a trip back to the dealer is about the only sure way to find out. Squeeze the lever on several similar machines on the display floor and see if they are similar. The unfortunate answer may turn out to be "They all do that". There may be a few after market fixes, but they won't be covered under warranty.

Apr 25, 2018 | 10:37 AM

Cygnusx51

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2011

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From: Olean, NY

The clutch pull may loosen up slightly over time as parts wear in (I found this to be the case with my ‘16 RGS). I’ve also read some people have liked the clutch pull better than it came stock after some miles and then flushing the clutch fluid out with new stuff. (Which I will be doing a clutch and brake flush this weekend).

Apr 25, 2018 | 12:13 PM

Yardstick

Road Captain

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 697

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From: SA TX

That lever is hard effort when new. As you get milage on the bike it will ease up some. Whether it is still to hard to work it is personal. Do a search on easy levers...I believe someone makes a replacement.

Apr 26, 2018 | 06:28 AM

Campy Roadie

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Joined: Aug 2011

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From: SW Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cygnusx51

The clutch pull may loosen up slightly over time as parts wear in (I found this to be the case with my ‘16 RGS).

More likely the musculature adapts to the load. OP, the clutch pull is what it is. Get some hand squeezer exercisers and ride more; it'll work out

Apr 26, 2018 | 06:59 AM

btsom

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2012

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From: Oklahoma

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomadmax

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More likely the musculature adapts to the load. OP, the clutch pull is what it is. Get some hand squeezer exercisers and ride more; it'll work out

So the human must adapt to the machine, rather than the other way around. Perhaps Harley indeed needs new management. How can a piece of new equipment which is harder to use than the old piece, hydraulic vs cable clutch, be considered an improvement?

Apr 26, 2018 | 07:04 AM

Campy Roadie

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 11,814

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From: SW Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by btsom

More HP and TQ require stronger clutch springs; you can't have it both ways. Customers demand more of everything without the first idea of what goes along with it. Can't blame Harley for that. The hydraulic clutch was something a salesman could tell a new bike buyer that didn't need adjusted, knowing it needed fluid flushes at a greater rate than brake systems because it's used more often. Again, this is customer driven because surveys and focus groups showed today's potential and current Harley owner want less maintenance. They never thought they'd get a non adjustable clutch with a harder pull that required fluid flushes.

Cruise around here an have a look at some of the threads in the General and Touring Forums. The sh*t these people want to come standard on a motorcycle rivals what a car has. The moral of the story is this, be careful what your wish for.

Last edited by Campy Roadie; Apr 26, 2018 at 07:19 AM.