Why all the apparent problems finding neutral?
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 811
Likes: 53
From: Emmett, Idaho
Why all the apparent problems finding neutral?
I have never had a problem finding neutral whether the cycle is hot, cold, standing still, rolling--and I took off the heel lever long ago. Is there something wrong with the newer cycles? This finding-neutral subject seems to arise regularly, so I am curious.
Now true, sometimes if I have a foot "spasm" and toe-up or down too forcefully, I will go into second toeing up or first toeing down; then again, I know everyone has experienced this. This has nothing to do with the motorcycle. It is my own operator error.
I have used Red-Line primary oil for years, but I doubt this actually makes any difference; I am almost certain it makes no difference even though, of course, there is much discussion here on oils--and I do NOT want to induce any rants about oils here. Any observations other than those about your favorite primary oils are welcome.
Thank you.
And these neutral problems cannot all be regular operator error either. Just curious about why all the neutral fussing.
Now true, sometimes if I have a foot "spasm" and toe-up or down too forcefully, I will go into second toeing up or first toeing down; then again, I know everyone has experienced this. This has nothing to do with the motorcycle. It is my own operator error.
I have used Red-Line primary oil for years, but I doubt this actually makes any difference; I am almost certain it makes no difference even though, of course, there is much discussion here on oils--and I do NOT want to induce any rants about oils here. Any observations other than those about your favorite primary oils are welcome.
Thank you.
And these neutral problems cannot all be regular operator error either. Just curious about why all the neutral fussing.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 168
From: Knoxville, Tn
Neutral
Well, if it's you that can't find neutral, then maybe you would look at it differently.
There are many reasons it happens...linkage, technique, engine heat, and most of the HDs I've had, don't shift into first or neutral well unless rolling.
Had a Road Glide Ultra that had true duals install by the previous owner. When he traded it in he removed the mufflers that went with the true duals and put the stock mufflers back on. Finding neutral was easy until it warmed up in the summer. At that point it was a crap shoot to find it... I put a new exhaust, head pipes and mufflers, and changed the linkage to heim joints and steel rod. After that, I never had another problem and gained low end torque with the new pipes.
There are many reasons it happens...linkage, technique, engine heat, and most of the HDs I've had, don't shift into first or neutral well unless rolling.
Had a Road Glide Ultra that had true duals install by the previous owner. When he traded it in he removed the mufflers that went with the true duals and put the stock mufflers back on. Finding neutral was easy until it warmed up in the summer. At that point it was a crap shoot to find it... I put a new exhaust, head pipes and mufflers, and changed the linkage to heim joints and steel rod. After that, I never had another problem and gained low end torque with the new pipes.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,032
From: Carlsbad, CA
My M8 always sifts into Beutal with ease. Not so much on my 12 TriGlide. Seems to me there is more platecdrag on the TCs. Or more sens8tive to fluid level, adjustment, and technique. The biggest PITA on the TriGlide is that it needs to be in neutral to put it in reverse. I many times have to shut off the motor, put it in reverse, turn the motor back on, then back up. On the flat 8ts easier to Fred Flintstone 8t.
Last edited by TriGeezer; Jan 30, 2019 at 04:10 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,896
From: Oklahoma
The OP's entry contains the reason he is asking, he has had that bike a long time, may not have bought it new. 99% of the complaints involve new bikes and new Harley owners. The neutral detent is easy to "pop' through. Add in new bike with stiff transmission, stiff shift linkage and a rider new to Harley and there is some loosening up AND a learning curve involved. Usually by 10,000 miles everything has loosened up AND the rider has mastered the feel and developed the skill needed to find neutral on the first try MOST of the time. An improperly adjust clutch or shift linkage in need of lubrication or repair may make the problem continue long past 10,000 miles.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,226
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
Alot of this problem is caused by the primary being overfilled. And if you have a cable, a clutch adjustment.
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#1 Reason. Other than that it's about proper adjustment, but then again I've never experienced any real issue.
