Clutch Slipping?
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 1
From: Port St. Lucie FL
Clutch Slipping?
2012 Ultra Classic with just under 10k miles...the last 2 rides I've noticed that when I am in 5th gear at low RPM (2200-2500) and I twist the throttle hard, the clutch appears to slip....RPMs will go quickly to about 4000 then come back down and go normally with the acceleration. I doesn't do it in any other gear but 5th, and I've tried purposely to reproduce it in the other gears.
Any thoughts? Hopefully its just an adjustment issue. Thanks!
Any thoughts? Hopefully its just an adjustment issue. Thanks!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
Dump your primary fluid, change to Formula +, re-adjust the clutch to 3/4 turn. Make sure you've got a penny's-width of free play at the lever.
If it still slips, then you've got a problem.
If it still slips, then you've got a problem.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 20
From: Southeast GA
Mine got out of whack after changing bars and slipped in high gear like yours. I had my Indy change cables and it still slipped. Took it to the dealership to get some work done and had them adjust it. They covered it under warranty and solved the problem.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
I would ask has it been adjusted previously? Mine was adjusted at first service around 1k. They totally hosed it. I do it myself now. 1/2 hour and 15.00. First, make sure it is adjusted correctly and change the primary fluid with a good quality primary oil. Second. Don't keep slipping it until then. If you know it ain't good, don't do it. Downshift if it stops the problem. Third. Ride safe!
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 1
From: Port St. Lucie FL
I would ask has it been adjusted previously? Mine was adjusted at first service around 1k. They totally hosed it. I do it myself now. 1/2 hour and 15.00. First, make sure it is adjusted correctly and change the primary fluid with a good quality primary oil. Second. Don't keep slipping it until then. If you know it ain't good, don't do it. Downshift if it stops the problem. Third. Ride safe!
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 14
From: Seattle
I do my own servicing but had my dealer do a "once over" on the bike before warranty expired. They changed the primary fluid and adjusted the clutch. Mine did what yours is doing. The tech didn't back out the adjusting nut on the clutch...it was a simple fix but goes to show you that they aren't always paying attention.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 1
From: Madison, WI
Take it back to the Indy and tell him it is slipping. May be an easy adjustment like previously said. That clutch adjustment is more accurate when all cooled down good.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
Good point. They usually do it hot which makes it hard to adjust, or at least less accurate, at the basket.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 1
From: Redding, CA
When I am planning on doing a service, I remove the derby cover from my stone cold bike, do the clutch adjustment, then lightly re-install the derby cover. Then I start the bike, go for a short ride to warm all the oils, return and dump the oils. I was never patient enough to wait until the bike cooled completely to do a good clutch adjustment if I waited until after I dumped the oil.