Clutch Adjustments
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
Buy the tools and do it yourself if you can.
Novice
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
new question
when going to adjust the allen screw in the clutch, how tight should that nut be in there so you can adjust it?? and is there something special to get it off tried doing this over the winter and couldn't get the nut loose.
So if anyones done this i'm looking anyones .02 cents
Thanks
So if anyones done this i'm looking anyones .02 cents
Thanks
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
when going to adjust the allen screw in the clutch, how tight should that nut be in there so you can adjust it?? and is there something special to get it off tried doing this over the winter and couldn't get the nut loose.
So if anyones done this i'm looking anyones .02 cents
Thanks
So if anyones done this i'm looking anyones .02 cents
Thanks
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
Just yesterday morning, I adjusted the 'King's clutch.
Maybe this will answer some questions, issues.
With bike at garage temp, I put the bike on the lift just to level it up and kept weight on the wheels. Noticed free play at the clutch handle was a little more than what I like, usually about the thickness of a dime. Probably could have remedied the problem at the cable adjuster, but what the heck, checked it all out.
Slid back the boot on the cable, backed off locknut, relaxed cable adjustment to insure clutch handle was plenty loose.
Removed clutch side cover, gasket looked great (again), wiped off and put aside.
Observed oil level, just touching bottom of the pack. Does not need to be too high, can cause problems, just touching to sling it around is fine.
Put bike in second gear, took angled 11/16" wrench and put securely on the lock nut, quick whack of the hand and it came loose. With bike in gear and weight on the wheel, a whack or two is usually all it takes. If very stubborn, hold rear brake - but the element of "surprise" usually does it, not just some slow jive.
Backed the nut out away from the clutch, inserted the allen wrench, and as my habit; I turned the screw IN just to see what I had to start with. It went in one and a quarter rounds. Noted. I screwed it in and out a few times to make sure of what I had, then in to good contact, and out one half turn. Tightened lock nut to hold that setting.
Back to clutch cable adjuster, screwed adjuster, observed clutch handle at grip moving out as slack was removed. Stopped when free play was about the thickness of a dime - no more - and locked it down and slid boot over the adjuster.
Worked the clutch 3 or 4 times, observed operation.
Clutch must be well seated when the clutch handle is released.
Clutch must be pulled out fully when Clutch handle is pulled in.
Note how some pull goes into tensioning the cable.
Carefully replace cover, do not over tighten the torx screws.
Some minor adjustments may be made only with the cable adjustments, but it is a good idea to check both. My process took only about 10 minutes.
As mentioned before, temps can change clutch characteristics.
Ride safe!
Maybe this will answer some questions, issues.
With bike at garage temp, I put the bike on the lift just to level it up and kept weight on the wheels. Noticed free play at the clutch handle was a little more than what I like, usually about the thickness of a dime. Probably could have remedied the problem at the cable adjuster, but what the heck, checked it all out.
Slid back the boot on the cable, backed off locknut, relaxed cable adjustment to insure clutch handle was plenty loose.
Removed clutch side cover, gasket looked great (again), wiped off and put aside.
Observed oil level, just touching bottom of the pack. Does not need to be too high, can cause problems, just touching to sling it around is fine.
Put bike in second gear, took angled 11/16" wrench and put securely on the lock nut, quick whack of the hand and it came loose. With bike in gear and weight on the wheel, a whack or two is usually all it takes. If very stubborn, hold rear brake - but the element of "surprise" usually does it, not just some slow jive.
Backed the nut out away from the clutch, inserted the allen wrench, and as my habit; I turned the screw IN just to see what I had to start with. It went in one and a quarter rounds. Noted. I screwed it in and out a few times to make sure of what I had, then in to good contact, and out one half turn. Tightened lock nut to hold that setting.
Back to clutch cable adjuster, screwed adjuster, observed clutch handle at grip moving out as slack was removed. Stopped when free play was about the thickness of a dime - no more - and locked it down and slid boot over the adjuster.
Worked the clutch 3 or 4 times, observed operation.
Clutch must be well seated when the clutch handle is released.
Clutch must be pulled out fully when Clutch handle is pulled in.
Note how some pull goes into tensioning the cable.
Carefully replace cover, do not over tighten the torx screws.
Some minor adjustments may be made only with the cable adjustments, but it is a good idea to check both. My process took only about 10 minutes.
As mentioned before, temps can change clutch characteristics.
Ride safe!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
Just yesterday morning, I adjusted the 'King's clutch.
Maybe this will answer some questions, issues.
With bike at garage temp, I put the bike on the lift just to level it up and kept weight on the wheels. Noticed free play at the clutch handle was a little more than what I like, usually about the thickness of a dime. Probably could have remedied the problem at the cable adjuster, but what the heck, checked it all out.
Slid back the boot on the cable, backed off locknut, relaxed cable adjustment to insure clutch handle was plenty loose.
Removed clutch side cover, gasket looked great (again), wiped off and put aside.
Observed oil level, just touching bottom of the pack. Does not need to be too high, can cause problems, just touching to sling it around is fine.
Put bike in second gear, took angled 11/16" wrench and put securely on the lock nut, quick whack of the hand and it came loose. With bike in gear and weight on the wheel, a whack or two is usually all it takes. If very stubborn, hold rear brake - but the element of "surprise" usually does it, not just some slow jive.
Backed the nut out away from the clutch, inserted the allen wrench, and as my habit; I turned the screw IN just to see what I had to start with. It went in one and a quarter rounds. Noted. I screwed it in and out a few times to make sure of what I had, then in to good contact, and out one half turn. Tightened lock nut to hold that setting.
Back to clutch cable adjuster, screwed adjuster, observed clutch handle at grip moving out as slack was removed. Stopped when free play was about the thickness of a dime - no more - and locked it down and slid boot over the adjuster.
Worked the clutch 3 or 4 times, observed operation.
Clutch must be well seated when the clutch handle is released.
Clutch must be pulled out fully when Clutch handle is pulled in.
Note how some pull goes into tensioning the cable.
Carefully replace cover, do not over tighten the torx screws.
Some minor adjustments may be made only with the cable adjustments, but it is a good idea to check both. My process took only about 10 minutes.
As mentioned before, temps can change clutch characteristics.
Ride safe!
Maybe this will answer some questions, issues.
With bike at garage temp, I put the bike on the lift just to level it up and kept weight on the wheels. Noticed free play at the clutch handle was a little more than what I like, usually about the thickness of a dime. Probably could have remedied the problem at the cable adjuster, but what the heck, checked it all out.
Slid back the boot on the cable, backed off locknut, relaxed cable adjustment to insure clutch handle was plenty loose.
Removed clutch side cover, gasket looked great (again), wiped off and put aside.
Observed oil level, just touching bottom of the pack. Does not need to be too high, can cause problems, just touching to sling it around is fine.
Put bike in second gear, took angled 11/16" wrench and put securely on the lock nut, quick whack of the hand and it came loose. With bike in gear and weight on the wheel, a whack or two is usually all it takes. If very stubborn, hold rear brake - but the element of "surprise" usually does it, not just some slow jive.
Backed the nut out away from the clutch, inserted the allen wrench, and as my habit; I turned the screw IN just to see what I had to start with. It went in one and a quarter rounds. Noted. I screwed it in and out a few times to make sure of what I had, then in to good contact, and out one half turn. Tightened lock nut to hold that setting.
Back to clutch cable adjuster, screwed adjuster, observed clutch handle at grip moving out as slack was removed. Stopped when free play was about the thickness of a dime - no more - and locked it down and slid boot over the adjuster.
Worked the clutch 3 or 4 times, observed operation.
Clutch must be well seated when the clutch handle is released.
Clutch must be pulled out fully when Clutch handle is pulled in.
Note how some pull goes into tensioning the cable.
Carefully replace cover, do not over tighten the torx screws.
Some minor adjustments may be made only with the cable adjustments, but it is a good idea to check both. My process took only about 10 minutes.
As mentioned before, temps can change clutch characteristics.
Ride safe!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post