Clutch slipping?
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 594
Likes: 10
From: Seminole County, FL
Clutch slipping?
Last night a stretched out custom came up beside me in the next lane, and a little cat and mouse took place. We both had our own lane and no traffic around so we both kicked it hard. I'm on an '07 FLHR with minor mods to exhaust and fuel no telling what the other guy was sitting on other than about 30k of iron. Anyway, before I could drop into second it felt like I missed a shift, though I didn't even pull the clutch. Needless to say I got a good look at his tail light. This is the hardest I have ever wound this bike up, it is my daily rider so I tend to baby it I don't have a tach so I don't know how high I was revving.
So, do I have a clutch failure in my near future or if I ride like I normally do will it last for a while? I have about 35k miles on it with all stock clutch parts. Also, should I upgrade the clutch? I ain't no feather weight, and when the old lady is on back and the bags are full we are hauling some weight for sure. Any input is appreciated thanks
So, do I have a clutch failure in my near future or if I ride like I normally do will it last for a while? I have about 35k miles on it with all stock clutch parts. Also, should I upgrade the clutch? I ain't no feather weight, and when the old lady is on back and the bags are full we are hauling some weight for sure. Any input is appreciated thanks
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 123
Likes: 2
From: dual locations: wash. & az.
Heavier spring needed
It doesn't take much for the stock clutch to slip on Slight modifications you have done.
There are a couple of Springs that work good.. The cheaper after market one (so i've been told ) is the Lighter and better one to replace the stock one with.
OP saying about 29$ or so...
Sorry No brand name or part numbers....
Don't get something with too much tension. When in there and replaced,,, adjust your clutch at 1/2 to 5/8 (no more) turned out when COLD...
signed....REDHEAD
There are a couple of Springs that work good.. The cheaper after market one (so i've been told ) is the Lighter and better one to replace the stock one with.
OP saying about 29$ or so...
Sorry No brand name or part numbers....
Don't get something with too much tension. When in there and replaced,,, adjust your clutch at 1/2 to 5/8 (no more) turned out when COLD...
signed....REDHEAD
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 279
From: North Cental Iowa
First off be sure it's the clutch slipping, it's unusual for it to slip in 1st gear once in motion since the torque multiplication is greatest in 1st, it usually occurs in a higher gaer, 3rd on up.Since you're not used to doing this it, and you don't have a tach, could be you just hit the rev limiter, it comes pretty fast in 1st. To test the clutch cruise bike in 4th gear at, was going to say 3K rpms but no tach, where bike seems to have best acceleration and hit the throttle as hard as you can, heavily loaded if possible, if your clutch doesn't slip there it's OK for more miles.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,236
Likes: 95
From: lancaster, pa
like others have said.
I replaced the stock spring for an inbetween weight spring 330lbs,heaver then stock but lighter then se. good for upto 120 hp.Im thinking of inspecting the clutch plates this winter.Once you have takein the primarey cover off once the second time takes 30 minutes.the 6th gear light will flicker so ive been told if u hit the throttle hard in 6th gear if slippage ,ive watched that and never noticed any.from what ive been told by someothers is a lot of people waste there money on clutch work...that is uneccesary.
I replaced the stock spring for an inbetween weight spring 330lbs,heaver then stock but lighter then se. good for upto 120 hp.Im thinking of inspecting the clutch plates this winter.Once you have takein the primarey cover off once the second time takes 30 minutes.the 6th gear light will flicker so ive been told if u hit the throttle hard in 6th gear if slippage ,ive watched that and never noticed any.from what ive been told by someothers is a lot of people waste there money on clutch work...that is uneccesary.
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Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 594
Likes: 10
From: Seminole County, FL
First off be sure it's the clutch slipping, it's unusual for it to slip in 1st gear once in motion since the torque multiplication is greatest in 1st, it usually occurs in a higher gaer, 3rd on up.Since you're not used to doing this it, and you don't have a tach, could be you just hit the rev Olimiter, it comes pretty fast in 1st. To test the clutch cruise bike in 4th gear at, was going to say 3K rpms but no tach, where bike seems to have best acceleration and hit the throttle as hard as you can, heavily loaded if possible, if your clutch doesn't slip there it's OK for more miles.
The only other consideration is that as she was going forward and I was hanging on I could have kicked it out of first, but I don't think so as lie I said I ain't no feather and sit firm in a custom seat.
Thanks for the input, I will try that load test...
