finding neutral
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Yes, it takes some practice. Mine can still be a bit tricky but I can eventually find it.
For LeFat1 - I need to find neutral when I get to my work. I have to swipe my ID card across a card reader, which is on my left, to get the gate to open. Kinda hard to do (impossible) holding the clutch in. So the OP may have a very valid reason for needing to go to neutral. Just sayin.......
For LeFat1 - I need to find neutral when I get to my work. I have to swipe my ID card across a card reader, which is on my left, to get the gate to open. Kinda hard to do (impossible) holding the clutch in. So the OP may have a very valid reason for needing to go to neutral. Just sayin.......
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Utah
Thanks, I have this same oil on standby for my next change. But this ballet dance is a tad annoying. So much more I could bitch about in life but it really would be nice to just shift to neutral in one or two tries..
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Sounds like a silly topic but seriously. I have owned multiple non Harley motorcycles, never had such a hard time finding neutral. Its not a huge issue but sometimes I tap and up click 6 plus times to get my 2012 street glide to find neutral. What is the deal? I feel like I need the finesse of a ballet dancer to get it to go in. I was told this is normal for a new Harley but I'm now going on 3200 miles and it still takes a magic trick to find neutral. Any comments are welcome. Even you smart asses lol.
Next I've found it is easiest to use the heel shifter to lightly "tap" down it into neutral.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 575
Likes: 4
From: SouthWestern Ontario
Getting them into neutral the first attempt is always easier after the motor is shutdown. This is what I have gotten into the habit of doing or if I am not shutting the motor down, try to get it into neutral while still rolling. Doesn't always go as planned.
After reading the initial post, the engineering side of my brain went automatically into problem solving mode. I have a simple design in mind, for a thumb latch that would hold the clutch lever in the closed position, eliminating the need to shift into neutral in order to free up your left hand. It could be done but safety issues such as creeping or accidental release would be a concern.
After reading the initial post, the engineering side of my brain went automatically into problem solving mode. I have a simple design in mind, for a thumb latch that would hold the clutch lever in the closed position, eliminating the need to shift into neutral in order to free up your left hand. It could be done but safety issues such as creeping or accidental release would be a concern.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
The trick for mine is go into first, if a light tap up doesn't find neutral I roll the bike a little bit and lightly tap it down.
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Novice
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
Used to take me forever to get it to go into neutral. I'd have to fish around with it forever, always seeming to go just a little too far one way or the other. That changed at around 4K miles for some reason. Now I have no problem. It just goes into neutral without having to dance. Not sure if it's the bike or if I just got the hang of it. It does help to roll it a bit, though, as some posters have said. And the heel trick also works more often than not.
Combination of redline shockproof in the tranny and the clutch adjusted right should make neutral easy to find, even on a new bike.
Only time I ever have had problem getting neutral is when the engine is not running and there is tension on the gears from being on an incline...in that case pull in the clutch and rock it a bit.
Only time I ever have had problem getting neutral is when the engine is not running and there is tension on the gears from being on an incline...in that case pull in the clutch and rock it a bit.
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