Clutch Cable Adjustment Question?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,893
From: Oklahoma
I'm not going to pop my derby cover to verify this, but I believe that once the plunger has no clearance, the clutch can never fully lock up no matter how much slack there is in the cable. Put another way, the plunger has started to lift the pressure plate off the clutch pack. It may have enough friction that it hasn't slipped YET, but that hub adjustment is WAAAY over due.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
The responses that say to adjust only the cable are a little off-base in my opinion.
Here's why... Cables do not shrink. If anything they may stretch. Now, if it did stretch that would give you additional play in the cable/lever, not less. So the only way to lose freeplay in the cable/lever over a period of time is by a change inside the clutch hub. That's where you should be starting your adjustment process.
By some of the previous responses it's obvious that some other's have a differing opinion, but based on the facts presented by the OP, if it were me I'd be doing a full adjustment.
Here's why... Cables do not shrink. If anything they may stretch. Now, if it did stretch that would give you additional play in the cable/lever, not less. So the only way to lose freeplay in the cable/lever over a period of time is by a change inside the clutch hub. That's where you should be starting your adjustment process.
By some of the previous responses it's obvious that some other's have a differing opinion, but based on the facts presented by the OP, if it were me I'd be doing a full adjustment.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,893
From: Oklahoma
Harley is NOT the only manufacturer which provides guidance for adjusting the clutch release plunger/pin portion of the mechanism, not just the cable. Ignore at your own peril/expense. When you run out of luck, it may be a long walk to an area of cell coverage.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 150
Likes: 13
From: Fl
But would it be correct that if the clutch is working great, but the cable has stretched just a bit, it would be ok to take a little slack out with the cable adjuster and not necessarily do a whole clutch adjustment ?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
The only caution I would express is that without checking the clutch adjustment at the hub you'll never know how close it is to needing adjustment; and freeplay at the cable/lever is no indication of freeplay at the clutch. You can have freeplay at the cable/lever and have none at the clutch hub.
Conversely, if you have no freeplay at the lever then you can be assured there is none at the hub either.
Lack of freeplay in either is an invitation for clutch slippage.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,977
Likes: 85
From: Nevada
Yes!
The only caution I would express is that without checking the clutch adjustment at the hub you'll never know how close it is to needing adjustment; and freeplay at the cable/lever is no indication of freeplay at the clutch. You can have freeplay at the cable/lever and have none at the clutch hub.
Conversely, if you have no freeplay at the lever then you can be assured there is none at the hub either.
Lack of freeplay in either is an invitation for clutch slippage.
The only caution I would express is that without checking the clutch adjustment at the hub you'll never know how close it is to needing adjustment; and freeplay at the cable/lever is no indication of freeplay at the clutch. You can have freeplay at the cable/lever and have none at the clutch hub.
Conversely, if you have no freeplay at the lever then you can be assured there is none at the hub either.
Lack of freeplay in either is an invitation for clutch slippage.
A full adjustment is in order for sure.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
Full clutch adjust any time the primary cover is off which for me is every oil change. Primary oil change is cheap and easy. Another 15 minutes and clutch is adjusted. Just makes sense to me. No special tools and a quart+ of oil and a gasket.
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