Tough finding neutral
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Club Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 760
Likes: 2
From: South Carolina
Tough finding neutral
I've got an '09 FLTR and found it tough to find neutral when was nearly new and still running Syn3. With nearly 10K miles and Redline SP in the tranny, that's a thing of the past. However, my wife is struggling with her '09 FLHX....she bumps it between 1st and 2nd and has a hard time finding that N sweet-spot. She doesn't ride as much as I do, so she has <2K miles on her bike, but it has been running Redline since the 1K service. Can anything else be done to make finding neutral easier.....or is it just putting miles on the bike?
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Northern Nevada
With my bike, I had to get used to it. I need just the right amount of pressure going from 1st to N. It's easy now that I've got it down. I'd tell her to just keep practicing. She'll get it sooner or later.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,733
Likes: 9
From: MA
I still have a problem with mine, just can't seem to use the same amount of pressure each time I guess. Never had a problem with any other bike, this is my first HD, so figured it was just the way it is. Although it is easier for me to find N with the heal rather than the toe.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida, USA
It's a lot easier to get it from 1st with the heel. As soon as you fell the tension slacken check and see if you aren't in neutral. Then as you start to feel tension again it should be in second. Going from second to first with my toe I can't always feel that empty space for neutral. I also think it's a little easier to find it while the bike's still gently rolling.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
You might consider swapping the OEM shift linkage with the prone-to-breakage pivot joints to a HD custom gear shift linkage with the helm joints at the rod ends or just buy the helm joints for less than $20 and mod the original shift rod. The helm joints are much more durable and takes up a lot of the slack/play making neutral much easier to find--shifting more precise also.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,246
Likes: 3,268
From: west Michigan
+1 on the linkage upgrade. The ball and (rubber) socket joint on my Road King shift linkage came apart thirty miles from home. The roll of electrical tape in my tool kit saved the day.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: germany
I've been riding for 30 years...and it's a lot harder hitting N on my new ultra limited than any other harley I've owned........when it's sitting still...when it's rolling....it's not much of a difference......
Last edited by bluegrassboy; May 17, 2010 at 09:38 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,210
Likes: 375
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Have her try shifting to neutral when the bike is still rolling.
Another trick is to roll the bike a few inches backwards or forwards (with her feet) then try shifting to neutral again.
I had one bike that shifting to neutral when stopped was very difficult. If I put a little pressure on the shifter then eased the clutch out, it would pop right to neutral.
Another trick is to roll the bike a few inches backwards or forwards (with her feet) then try shifting to neutral again.
I had one bike that shifting to neutral when stopped was very difficult. If I put a little pressure on the shifter then eased the clutch out, it would pop right to neutral.