Clutch Gone after 450 miles
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Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 20
From: Greater St Louis, MO
Clutch Gone after 450 miles
The clutch on momma's tri-glide went out at 450 miles. We were riding home from work the other day and she was behind me in slow traffic on a hill when I heard her rpms were much higher than they should have been, so I yelled at her to let out the clutch and she yelled back that it was. When we got to the next hill it quit pulling, so I had to adjust the clutch on the side of the road with a narrow shoulder, not alot of fun. The clutch was not great but it was holding again, the next big hill and it quit again. I tried to adjust it again and nothing, had to have it towed.
When she talked to the service writer he said that it would probably not be covered by the warranty as they consider clutches to be a wear item. I was shocked that he would say that with only 450 miles on the bike. There is no way a clutch should go that quick, even if she was slipping the clutch too much due to not being used to it. I have seen what a clutch will go through during a two week police motor school, where the fluid smelled like burnt wood and it could still be adjusted to hold.
Anybody have anything similar?
When she talked to the service writer he said that it would probably not be covered by the warranty as they consider clutches to be a wear item. I was shocked that he would say that with only 450 miles on the bike. There is no way a clutch should go that quick, even if she was slipping the clutch too much due to not being used to it. I have seen what a clutch will go through during a two week police motor school, where the fluid smelled like burnt wood and it could still be adjusted to hold.
Anybody have anything similar?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,977
Likes: 85
From: Nevada
This would be my guess.
The clutch cable stretches quite a bit when new. Adjusting the cable hot is not preferable but doable if you know what your doing.
I'd adjust everything again cold and see what happens. If that doesn't work it should be a warranty issue. Yes it is a wear item but not at 450 miles.
The clutch cable stretches quite a bit when new. Adjusting the cable hot is not preferable but doable if you know what your doing.
I'd adjust everything again cold and see what happens. If that doesn't work it should be a warranty issue. Yes it is a wear item but not at 450 miles.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
From: Metro Denver
@450 miles brand new? Service Writer = EPIC FAIL!
I would suggest you speak to the GM of the dealership and get his thoughts (ie, "hey, wife's clutch went out the other day riding home...only have 450 miles on the trike. Thoughts??").
Something didn't pass QC...
Good luck.
I would suggest you speak to the GM of the dealership and get his thoughts (ie, "hey, wife's clutch went out the other day riding home...only have 450 miles on the trike. Thoughts??").
Something didn't pass QC...
Good luck.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 20
From: Greater St Louis, MO
I understand that adjusting one while hot is not the best, but I went a full turn out and it still would not catch. I know how to adjust one when cold or warm, as I have been doing my own wrenching for 20+ years, smoking hot is a different story. I considered adjusting it while it was cold, but thought that it was total bs to have to do that on a brand new bike; believing the dealer should take care of it.
Last edited by dougbk; Jun 26, 2011 at 03:49 PM. Reason: add content
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 1
From: Deep South Texas
It might be something simple like a defective/broken clutch spring. I would think that with that few miles, the dealership would at least be interested in taking a look for broken parts. If the plates are the only thing worn, they probably would not cover it.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 17
From: Southeastern Wisconsin
Is this your wife's first bike? Does she "cover" the clutch? The way they are adjusted it wouldn't take much to be slippin a clutch just by covering like I have seen some do. Still 450 is pretty quick.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 20
From: Greater St Louis, MO
I know the abuse that a clutch in a police training motor can withstand and don't see how this could be normal wear.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: western north carolina
Mine was slipping at 400 miles. Called to have dealer to check they all recommended to wait for until the 1000 mile service. I said BS, it would slip in 3rd gear when you would get on the throttle. At that time the bike had never been ran hard. The first remark they made was I doing burnouts.
Had to go out of state to a training class near the dealer I bought it from. Called them and said I would drop it off late Tue. and pick it up Fri afternoon. When they was writing it up and got the mileage they said if they knew that it only had 400 miles they would have said to wait till 1000. I told them to go ahead and check it out, I would pay for 1hr only if it was not covered.
They road tested and also found the clutch slipping when you rolled on it in 3rd gear.When picking it up the mechanic that worked on it said the adjustment was out. The cable adjustment was fine the whole time.
Had to go out of state to a training class near the dealer I bought it from. Called them and said I would drop it off late Tue. and pick it up Fri afternoon. When they was writing it up and got the mileage they said if they knew that it only had 400 miles they would have said to wait till 1000. I told them to go ahead and check it out, I would pay for 1hr only if it was not covered.
They road tested and also found the clutch slipping when you rolled on it in 3rd gear.When picking it up the mechanic that worked on it said the adjustment was out. The cable adjustment was fine the whole time.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 20
From: Greater St Louis, MO
Since it is brand new I assume it is HD trans/primary plus. I normally use mobil 1 v twin 20-50 in the primary and redline heavy shock in trannys.