2012 ultra driveline problem
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Stage IV
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4
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2012 ultra driveline problem
I have a 2012 Ultra Limited I bought new 5 months ago and now has 12,300 miles on it so it's still under warranty. I'm experiencing what feels like gear slipping in 5th gear at around 2800-3000 RPMs. It's not making any unusual noises and not happening in any other gear than 5th. If I take it easy, it stays hooked up but if I get on it a little bit, it's almost like the clutch is engaging as the RPMs kinda take off on their own.
I realize it's still under warranty but need to see if I can chase this fix down as much as possible myself since I'm not off the thing long enough for it to be down too terribly long. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I realize it's still under warranty but need to see if I can chase this fix down as much as possible myself since I'm not off the thing long enough for it to be down too terribly long. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 14
From: navarre ohio
it sounds like you have bad 5th gears.. there is little fingers on the side that engage, the edge wears down some times(could be a bad casting) that lets it slip out under power.. you should let the dealer look at it,, could need a new trans.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
I have a 2012 Ultra Limited I bought new 5 months ago and now has 12,300 miles on it so it's still under warranty. I'm experiencing what feels like gear slipping in 5th gear at around 2800-3000 RPMs. It's not making any unusual noises and not happening in any other gear than 5th. If I take it easy, it stays hooked up but if I get on it a little bit, it's almost like the clutch is engaging as the RPMs kinda take off on their own.
I realize it's still under warranty but need to see if I can chase this fix down as much as possible myself since I'm not off the thing long enough for it to be down too terribly long. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I realize it's still under warranty but need to see if I can chase this fix down as much as possible myself since I'm not off the thing long enough for it to be down too terribly long. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
The reason you feel it most predominantly in 5th gear is because that is where the engine torque curve and the vehicle load create the "perfect storm" for clutch slippage. It may not slip in lower gears because there is less load on the bike, although if it slips in 5th gear you should be able to make it slip in 6th gear also since the load is even greater there.
A clutch adjustment may help. Do you have enough freeplay, both at the lever and inside the cover? Not enough can cause slippage.
If the adjustment is correct, then a stronger clutch spring should be your next step.
With only 12,000 miles I really doubt that your clutch could be worn enough to be the cause of the slippage, but it is possible.
Last edited by 2black1s; May 10, 2012 at 11:39 AM.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
1.) if you have a warranty, use it. It is their problem.
1b.) don't monkey with or improve your bike in a way that violates that warranty- otherwise their faults become your problem.
2.) get the manual
3.) keep in mind that some responses you get on an internet forum are from techs, some are from riders who work on their bikes, and some will be guesses from people who do not have a fundamental understanding of mechanics.
consensus say clutch adjustment.
easy to do, easy to do wrong.
mike
1b.) don't monkey with or improve your bike in a way that violates that warranty- otherwise their faults become your problem.
2.) get the manual
3.) keep in mind that some responses you get on an internet forum are from techs, some are from riders who work on their bikes, and some will be guesses from people who do not have a fundamental understanding of mechanics.
consensus say clutch adjustment.
easy to do, easy to do wrong.
mike
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 4
From: pittsburgh, pa
1.) if you have a warranty, use it. It is their problem.
1b.) don't monkey with or improve your bike in a way that violates that warranty- otherwise their faults become your problem.
2.) get the manual
3.) keep in mind that some responses you get on an internet forum are from techs, some are from riders who work on their bikes, and some will be guesses from people who do not have a fundamental understanding of mechanics.
consensus say clutch adjustment.
easy to do, easy to do wrong.
mike
1b.) don't monkey with or improve your bike in a way that violates that warranty- otherwise their faults become your problem.
2.) get the manual
3.) keep in mind that some responses you get on an internet forum are from techs, some are from riders who work on their bikes, and some will be guesses from people who do not have a fundamental understanding of mechanics.
consensus say clutch adjustment.
easy to do, easy to do wrong.
mike
Any time the clutch in my '08 FLHTP was starting to go, I'd notice slippage in 5th & 6th gear (We eat a lot of clutches on the police motors).Get an internal adjustment first, and let the dealer's mechanics do it since you're under warranty. If there are any other issues with the clutch they should find them.
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4
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Thanks everyone for the input. I adjusted the clutch and that took care of the issue. Seems like fifth gear is the perfect storm for showing where a clutch adjustment might be necessary. I never could get it to slip in sixth though. Anyway, I adjusted it out and have since put another 750 miles on it and it's running like a champ. This was the first time I adjusted it. I was mistakenly under the impression that it was fine and dandy where it was so why monkey with it as part of a service interval. I've seen the light. Thanks again.