Do I need to adjust my clutch or is something else wrong?
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 39
From: Central Florida
Do I need to adjust my clutch or is something else wrong?
Noticed when I first got my 2013 FLHTK it sometimes had issues shifting into gear. 3rd or 4th usually. I had to often hit it twice for it to engage the gear. On my way back from Milwaukee the issue seemed to get a bit worse. I sometimes had to hit it 2, 3, or even 4 times (Although that was rare) to get it to go into the next gear. I use the heel shift and sometimes have to really smack on it to get it to go. I noticed that my clutch starts to engage almost immediately after letting it out, and if I start it while in first gear it sometimes lurches forward if I don't have it pulled in as much as possible.
I'm thinking I may need to adjust my clutch so that it engages later upon letting it out and fully disengages even if I have it a hair away from fully pulled in. Does this sound like it could be the issue or should I have the dealer look at it?
I know some people said it would take some time to wear in, but it seems to be getting worse and not better and certainly on a long ride I could be being lazy with my clutch pulls making the problem worse. I shifted a ton during my 2500+ mile trip so if it was break in I'd think that would have made it better.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I'm thinking I may need to adjust my clutch so that it engages later upon letting it out and fully disengages even if I have it a hair away from fully pulled in. Does this sound like it could be the issue or should I have the dealer look at it?
I know some people said it would take some time to wear in, but it seems to be getting worse and not better and certainly on a long ride I could be being lazy with my clutch pulls making the problem worse. I shifted a ton during my 2500+ mile trip so if it was break in I'd think that would have made it better.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 3
From: California
Good thing to point out. I have a few pair of boots and on one pair in particular I noticed that I sometimes had to hit the gear shift a couple of times when up-shifting. Raised the back shifter by one cog and that solved the problem. I guess the boot heal was hitting the floorboard.
There are two clutch adjustments and you may need the second, more in depth one done, not just a little cable slack on the cable.
There are two clutch adjustments and you may need the second, more in depth one done, not just a little cable slack on the cable.
Last edited by UltraClassicElectraGlide; Sep 7, 2013 at 01:02 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 123
Likes: 2
From: dual locations: wash. & az.
I'll LOOK like a smart a$$ here:
WHY HIT/STOMP on the shifting lever??????????
These bikes need to be treated a little better.....
IF you firmly push/press NOT POP or HIT the shifter and HOLD it UNTIL Fully Engaged,,,,,,, IT should shift the first try....
Old School never changed on these newer bikes...........
SEE I told you would NOT like my Response.....
Learn HOW to ride would be a first thing needed........
signed....REDHEAD
ADDED today:
YES the clutch is way out of adjustment BUT Easy Does IT..
You should be able to shift the bike using the throttle and Leaving Off and On it...
Holding the shifter lever in the shifted position is Important follow through UNTIL it has fully shifted...Especially when the clutch is Not adjusted properly...
WHY HIT/STOMP on the shifting lever??????????
These bikes need to be treated a little better.....
IF you firmly push/press NOT POP or HIT the shifter and HOLD it UNTIL Fully Engaged,,,,,,, IT should shift the first try....
Old School never changed on these newer bikes...........
SEE I told you would NOT like my Response.....
Learn HOW to ride would be a first thing needed........
signed....REDHEAD
ADDED today:
YES the clutch is way out of adjustment BUT Easy Does IT..
You should be able to shift the bike using the throttle and Leaving Off and On it...
Holding the shifter lever in the shifted position is Important follow through UNTIL it has fully shifted...Especially when the clutch is Not adjusted properly...
Last edited by REDHEAD; Sep 9, 2013 at 08:59 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,226
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
i've seen way to many people stomping on their heel shifter. adjust the clutch and shift it like you would a car ,feel it go into gear. it'll last a lot longer if you learn to feel the bike.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 39
From: Central Florida
What's next? You guys are going to tell me I have to sweet talk my bike to get it to shift easier? LOL..
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
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 123
Likes: 2
From: dual locations: wash. & az.
Maybe the difference HERE in riders IS that we DO sweet talk our bikes......
For ME, I Become "ONE" with my bike... Think about THAT statement for a while................
Believe me, I do ALL my own mechanical work and really can appreciate riders Who take care and KNOW HOW to use/ride their bikes...
Become ONE with your ride and it will serve you better.
YES adjust the clutch... You can bend the mechanical things inside the shifters and then it will be questions like "WHY does my bike Miss a shift or grind the Dogs when shifting????" I Use sin 3 in the tranny...
WE see it here all the time on the forums...
It is like the rider that asks...
"Will My RPM change when MY shop Indy makes my 96" into 103"...?????
For Crying Out Loud....... LEARN the mechanics about you ride....
Usually it is some rich pert that can run it to the shop and just say fix it..OR go trade it off for the next years model.... Just because he can....
Nothing Wrong with that "IF"
I find Most who do their OWN work, Take Better Care of the stuff they repair.....
LOVE to ride is what it's ALL about then the Journey......
signed....REDHEAD
For ME, I Become "ONE" with my bike... Think about THAT statement for a while................
Believe me, I do ALL my own mechanical work and really can appreciate riders Who take care and KNOW HOW to use/ride their bikes...
Become ONE with your ride and it will serve you better.
YES adjust the clutch... You can bend the mechanical things inside the shifters and then it will be questions like "WHY does my bike Miss a shift or grind the Dogs when shifting????" I Use sin 3 in the tranny...
WE see it here all the time on the forums...
It is like the rider that asks...
"Will My RPM change when MY shop Indy makes my 96" into 103"...?????
For Crying Out Loud....... LEARN the mechanics about you ride....
Usually it is some rich pert that can run it to the shop and just say fix it..OR go trade it off for the next years model.... Just because he can....
Nothing Wrong with that "IF"
I find Most who do their OWN work, Take Better Care of the stuff they repair.....
LOVE to ride is what it's ALL about then the Journey......
signed....REDHEAD
Maybe the difference HERE in riders IS that we DO sweet talk our bikes......
For ME, I Become "ONE" with my bike... Think about THAT statement for a while................
Believe me, I do ALL my own mechanical work and really can appreciate riders Who take care and KNOW HOW to use/ride their bikes...
Become ONE with your ride and it will serve you better.
YES adjust the clutch... You can bend the mechanical things inside the shifters and then it will be questions like "WHY does my bike Miss a shift or grind the Dogs when shifting????" I Use sin 3 in the tranny...
WE see it here all the time on the forums...
It is like the rider that asks...
"Will My RPM change when MY shop Indy makes my 96" into 103"...?????
For Crying Out Loud....... LEARN the mechanics about you ride....
Usually it is some rich pert that can run it to the shop and just say fix it..OR go trade it off for the next years model.... Just because he can....
Nothing Wrong with that "IF"
I find Most who do their OWN work, Take Better Care of the stuff they repair.....
LOVE to ride is what it's ALL about then the Journey......
signed....REDHEAD
For ME, I Become "ONE" with my bike... Think about THAT statement for a while................
Believe me, I do ALL my own mechanical work and really can appreciate riders Who take care and KNOW HOW to use/ride their bikes...
Become ONE with your ride and it will serve you better.
YES adjust the clutch... You can bend the mechanical things inside the shifters and then it will be questions like "WHY does my bike Miss a shift or grind the Dogs when shifting????" I Use sin 3 in the tranny...
WE see it here all the time on the forums...
It is like the rider that asks...
"Will My RPM change when MY shop Indy makes my 96" into 103"...?????
For Crying Out Loud....... LEARN the mechanics about you ride....
Usually it is some rich pert that can run it to the shop and just say fix it..OR go trade it off for the next years model.... Just because he can....
Nothing Wrong with that "IF"
I find Most who do their OWN work, Take Better Care of the stuff they repair.....
LOVE to ride is what it's ALL about then the Journey......
signed....REDHEAD
