Why all the apparent problems finding neutral?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY
Your simple answer leaves out a lot of bikes on the road right now. With my 16 RGS, neutral was so damn finicky when new. I figured it would wear itself in and it has to a point but thats also coupled with flushing the clutch fluid and making sure it was bled completely.
Last edited by Cygnusx51; Feb 1, 2019 at 02:49 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 65
Likes: 26
From: Lawrence, KS
I guess I've wrongly assumed HD has it adjusted? I haven't adjusted it yet since new. Stage IV, they were in it. 2018 hydraulic clutch, and I do have a manual, time for some reading.
Novice
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis, IN
I'm new to HD's, and the '15 UL I just purchased isn't too bad (3900 miles on it), but it's certainly more difficult than the Yamaha Roadliner I've had for 13 years. I'm sure some of it is just familiarity. However, I test rode 2 other '15 UL's, and they were both much more difficult (15k and 25k on the clocks). At one point, even my wife noticed how many long it was taking to find neutral.
I'm hoping it's just a technique thing.
joe
I'm hoping it's just a technique thing.
joe
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 2,423
From: USA
Based on my bike, nope. Bike off, up on the jack, shifting by hand, itll still pop past neutral very easily.
Ya know though, a second shift lever that can only move the existing one from 1st to neutral might not be a bad gee-age.
Ya know though, a second shift lever that can only move the existing one from 1st to neutral might not be a bad gee-age.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY
This is why pjbs simple advice does people with new bikes no good at all.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 600
Likes: 231
From: Dewey, Arizona 86327
The King and I are growing old together and just like me, it gets a bit cantankerous at times. I've found that if I just put a little pressure on the shift lever and give just a tiny tweak on the throttle, it falls right into neutral very easily. Not a big rev like a kid pissing off his neighbors, just a tiny tweak on the throttle.
I remember on my British built Royal Enfield circa 1962, it had a neutral finder. A little extra pedal on the transmission that when you stepped on it, it instantly went into neutral from any gear. Handy, sometimes. Like panic stop when you're still in maybe 4th when you stop, and it REALLY doesn't wnat to work through the gears down to neutral while you're standing still.
I remember on my British built Royal Enfield circa 1962, it had a neutral finder. A little extra pedal on the transmission that when you stepped on it, it instantly went into neutral from any gear. Handy, sometimes. Like panic stop when you're still in maybe 4th when you stop, and it REALLY doesn't wnat to work through the gears down to neutral while you're standing still.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,741
Likes: 1,599
From: Danbury CT
Primary oil makes a difference. My 06 FX finds neutral with anthing in it. My 09 Heritage is picky. After putting in a screaming eagle clutch pack and changing to spectro primary, neutral was impossible. After many clutch adjustments And no help I switched to HD Formula I. Better but no cigar. Finally I switched back to Rotella which I used for years successfully and the problem is completely solved. Neutral is now a breeze. Oil does make a difference.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,012
Likes: 298
From: Central Fl
Amsoil 20w50 in the primary and amsoil 75x140 in the trans. The neutral problem is sometimes caused by clutch plates sticking together when sitting unused for longer periods, Colder temps can cause problems too. I had a similar problem with my '15 after it sat for over a yr while I was going through some physical issues. 150 miles later the clutch issue has pretty much been solved .Hope this helps.
