Finding Neutral

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 14, 2008 | 08:40 AM

#11

Stisse

Novice

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 15

Likes: 0

From:

RE: Finding Neutral

I'm having some issues with the neutral on my new bike but I'll guess it will take som getting used to.

Apr 14, 2008 | 08:43 AM

#12

Retired_Ted

Road Warrior

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 1,296

Likes: 1

From:

RE: Finding Neutral

New clutch cables will stretch causing you to have a bit too much free play in the clutch lever causing the clutch to be on the verge of engaging. It's really important to have just the right amount of free play - usually by the 1K checkup, the stretching is finished.

Apr 14, 2008 | 08:44 AM

#13

Roadhog02

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 204

Likes: 0

From: Atascadero, CA

RE: Finding Neutral

Your bike will ease into neutral better as time goes on and you become more proficient at finding it. One thing that has helped me during the break in period was to put my boot on top of the shifter so that it touches both the front and back pads and gently rock it forward and backward until it found the right spot.

Apr 14, 2008 | 09:35 AM

#14

racklefratz

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 914

Likes: 1

From: Republic of Texas

RE: Finding Neutral

Quote:

ORIGINAL: beaucoup_dinkydow

Bought a band-new '08 FLHTCU. Have 300 miles on it.
I usually downshift through the gears when coming to a stop.
Having a problem finding neutral just before a fullstop.
Will this improve with more miles on the bike?
Thanks in advance for your comments.

Yes, as you note, it is something you will definitely have to get used to.

Finding neutral with these bikes is a lot more of a hassle than pretty much all the bikes I've owned over my lifetime (25 or so), including my other current bike, a Goldwing. It's simple to do with the 'Wing.

I also like to shift to neutral rolling to stops if I know I'm going to be there a while - I dislike futzing around with the shifter when I'm stopped and I much prefer having both feet on the ground. It's not that difficult to look around and decide if I'll "need an out" and need to stay in gear.

I generally don't go through all the gears in the process of slowing down - that's what brakes are for, and I don't need all that extra wear and tear on the clutch.

One thing I would note with 6K on my '08 UC now is that finding neutral got a little easier when I put some gear lube in the xmission, and dumped the Syn3 the dealer put in there.

Apr 14, 2008 | 09:50 AM

#15

jws833

Novice

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 15

Likes: 0

From:

RE: Finding Neutral

just got mt 08 ultra 4/11/08 and neutral is a bit hard to find I didnt think my 2003 road king was like this Im just going to miles on it like some of the members say