Finding Neutral
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
From: Nor-Kal
RE: Finding Neutral
When I changed the gear oil to redline shockproof and upgraded my shift linkage to a billet piece with quality heims I got everything dialed in to where Neutral is so easy to hit, I can't think of one time in the last two thousand miles since I did this that I missed neutral at a light.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 762
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Finding Neutral
My new 07 did this from day 1. Took it in for the 1,000 mile check up and told them and they fixed it. Now I am at 4,000 and it's starting to do it again. I think I will try adjusting my clutch cable.
Just today I also noticed that when I am shifting down from 3+ higher gear it is stopping......Like I am in 1st already! I end up being in 2nd or 3rd. The more I think of it it sounds like I need to adjsut my clutch cable. Don't ya think?
Just today I also noticed that when I am shifting down from 3+ higher gear it is stopping......Like I am in 1st already! I end up being in 2nd or 3rd. The more I think of it it sounds like I need to adjsut my clutch cable. Don't ya think?
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Republic of Texas
RE: Finding Neutral
ORIGINAL: Bass Ackwards
Is it just me, or are others having this same trouble??
Is it just me, or are others having this same trouble??
There are some techniques one can learn to maximize the chance that you won't overshoot neutral, but none are foolproof. At times, it's just gonna' happen. No bike's perfect - not even Harleys.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 602
Likes: 2
From: Lakewood, N.J.
RE: Finding Neutral
ORIGINAL: Bass Ackwards
Is it just me, or are others having this same trouble??[sm=wtf.gif] I'm riding an '00 UC, and I seem to always have trouble finding neutral when I'm on the road. I like to slip it into neutral, if I'm sitting at a long light, so I don't have to sit there forever holding the clutch in, or if I wanna light a smoke. But finding neutral can be a real pain in the ***!! [:@] So any insight would be most helpful!
Thanks!!
Is it just me, or are others having this same trouble??[sm=wtf.gif] I'm riding an '00 UC, and I seem to always have trouble finding neutral when I'm on the road. I like to slip it into neutral, if I'm sitting at a long light, so I don't have to sit there forever holding the clutch in, or if I wanna light a smoke. But finding neutral can be a real pain in the ***!! [:@] So any insight would be most helpful!
Thanks!!
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Republic of Texas
RE: Finding Neutral
ORIGINAL: RoadKing_Al
your biggest problem is sitting at a light in neutral. You should be in first gear ready to get the hell out of there when the a..hole is comimg up on your rear. Gives you a little edge by not having to pull the clutch and get to first gear to get out of there in a hurry. Always leave yourself an out.
your biggest problem is sitting at a light in neutral. You should be in first gear ready to get the hell out of there when the a..hole is comimg up on your rear. Gives you a little edge by not having to pull the clutch and get to first gear to get out of there in a hurry. Always leave yourself an out.
But clutching and staying in gear through 10-15 minute long intersections? Ride your bike however you want, but that's not for me.
Holding that clutch in is wear on bearings, and things like that don't have an infinite life. I try to operate my bike in ways that, in my opinion, will result in the maximum time between component failures. In a protracted traffic control situation, my priority is to get off all the bearing wear in the clutch disengagement mechanism, and get the bike into neutral.
Having done that, when stopped at a traffic signal, I keep a wary eye on my rear view mirrors, looking to see what traffic behind me is doing. My left hand is on the clutch lever, and my left foot is on the shifter, in case I need to shift and get moving, and I can make that happen in a split second. But all that's pretty "iffy", at best. If you're anywhere close to the car in front of you, you don't really have anywhere to go anyway.
All the talk about staying in gear so you can "get out of there" if anyone fails to stop doesn't pass the smell test, to me. A lot of drivers are pretty aggressive, and they come up one you from behind at a pretty rapid rate, and stop at the last split-second. It's danged near impossible to tell for sure if they're going to get it stopped or not. Whether you're "clutch-in" and "ready" or not, you're just not gonna' know till it's too late.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 1
From: Just South of Detroit, MI
RE: Finding Neutral
I had trouble finding neutral on my 01 Ultra when I first bought it. Two things- The bike was idling at 850 rpm. bumped it up to 950 where it belongs and adjusted the clutch. No problems since.
Stage II
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
RE: Finding Neutral
I have an 08 ScreaminEagle Road King
Friend as an 08 Screamin Eagle Ultra nuetral was a bitch at first if you have a heel toe shifter try finding nuetral with your heel hit it slightley this wotks pretty good and now becomes 2nd nature to find the N
Friend as an 08 Screamin Eagle Ultra nuetral was a bitch at first if you have a heel toe shifter try finding nuetral with your heel hit it slightley this wotks pretty good and now becomes 2nd nature to find the N
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
RE: Finding Neutral
ORIGINAL: DeJavu
+1, most problems with neutral are associated with clutch drag. If your lever play is more than 1/8" at the handlebar you may not be fully disengaging. If the play is right you may be running too thick an oil. If all that is right there is a chance you have a warped or unevenly worn clutch plate. If that is all OK your clutch pressure plate springs may be worn or broken.
Hopefully, a proper adjustment of your cable or clutch arm will take care of it.
ORIGINAL: rk99
I had this problem on my 99 RoadKing.. Had the 10K checkup which involved some adjustment...after I got it back, I had NO PROB with finding neutral...
I had this problem on my 99 RoadKing.. Had the 10K checkup which involved some adjustment...after I got it back, I had NO PROB with finding neutral...
Hopefully, a proper adjustment of your cable or clutch arm will take care of it.
After adjusting the clutch my problems wereover.
Peter
'99 RKC
