Another clutch problem/question
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1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Kennesaw
Another clutch problem/question
(2011 Road Glide, 103, 5K miles)
Sorry about the lengthy explanation!! Ive got an extremely annoying clutch problem, the clutch lever sticks when I let it out slowly, almost feels rachity, like it might even freeze up at a point and since Im not the best with a clutch anyway as you may imagine this is about to make me pull my hair out, what little I have left that is! Ive owned a few other bikes and this clutch is just not right to me. Ive had it look into by the dealer and an independent shop and still no joy. Both shops adjusted the clutch cable and call it good (even though I tell them its not the cable) Ive checked out quite a few other road glides at dealers and such, new to way used and all of the clutchs feel way better than mine, way smoother that is? It started about the same time I let the bike tip over to the right side (had one of those days) and very shortly after I had Rinehart Duels put on the bike, both events may have nothing to do with the problem but the following is what Ive done to troubleshoot the clutch: Clutch cable and lever have been lubed and adjusted into oblivion, removed and inspected cover at gearbox right hand side where clutch cable enters the gearbox, found clutch cam and cable operates very smoothly could not detect any problems there. So Im left with what must be a problem in either the clutch push rod or the clutch assembles itself??? Im not a great mechanic and hate the idea of breaking into the bike any further without some idea or advice of what Im looking for, can anyone help???? !!! Hay Thanks for even reading this!!!!
Sorry about the lengthy explanation!! Ive got an extremely annoying clutch problem, the clutch lever sticks when I let it out slowly, almost feels rachity, like it might even freeze up at a point and since Im not the best with a clutch anyway as you may imagine this is about to make me pull my hair out, what little I have left that is! Ive owned a few other bikes and this clutch is just not right to me. Ive had it look into by the dealer and an independent shop and still no joy. Both shops adjusted the clutch cable and call it good (even though I tell them its not the cable) Ive checked out quite a few other road glides at dealers and such, new to way used and all of the clutchs feel way better than mine, way smoother that is? It started about the same time I let the bike tip over to the right side (had one of those days) and very shortly after I had Rinehart Duels put on the bike, both events may have nothing to do with the problem but the following is what Ive done to troubleshoot the clutch: Clutch cable and lever have been lubed and adjusted into oblivion, removed and inspected cover at gearbox right hand side where clutch cable enters the gearbox, found clutch cam and cable operates very smoothly could not detect any problems there. So Im left with what must be a problem in either the clutch push rod or the clutch assembles itself??? Im not a great mechanic and hate the idea of breaking into the bike any further without some idea or advice of what Im looking for, can anyone help???? !!! Hay Thanks for even reading this!!!!
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5
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From: Kennesaw
Hammz !
I thought that as well, when I had the gearbox cover off I could move the clutch cam by hand (with the cable and lever still attached) very easily, smooth with no notable sticking?
1988 Yamaha Virago 750!!!!! One of the other bikes I used to have was a 96 Virago 1100, my first in fact! Had a ton of fun on her!!
Tom
I thought that as well, when I had the gearbox cover off I could move the clutch cam by hand (with the cable and lever still attached) very easily, smooth with no notable sticking?
1988 Yamaha Virago 750!!!!! One of the other bikes I used to have was a 96 Virago 1100, my first in fact! Had a ton of fun on her!!
Tom
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
hmm.
The ball and ramp under the rt cover uses a longer lever since about 2007- the lite clutch.
This longer lever makes for reduced hand effort, but does make clutch adjustment a little more fiddly.
all kinds of us have adjusted the clutch and found after a few miles that it is slipping, or hanging up. leading to a do-over.
when you are working the lever- you are moving a pushrod against a diaphragm spring to relieve or allow pressure on the plates from that spring- this should always be positive in feel.
I wonder if a heavier spring might make your feel more positive...
but yes, check the cable first that's easiest.
I wonder too if the push rod might be hanging up
mike
The ball and ramp under the rt cover uses a longer lever since about 2007- the lite clutch.
This longer lever makes for reduced hand effort, but does make clutch adjustment a little more fiddly.
all kinds of us have adjusted the clutch and found after a few miles that it is slipping, or hanging up. leading to a do-over.
when you are working the lever- you are moving a pushrod against a diaphragm spring to relieve or allow pressure on the plates from that spring- this should always be positive in feel.
I wonder if a heavier spring might make your feel more positive...
but yes, check the cable first that's easiest.
I wonder too if the push rod might be hanging up
mike
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1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Kennesaw
Mike, Skid, I'll try adjusting the cable again, and recheck it for binding, in the meantime are there any kit’s out there you could recommend, I mean a clutch plate or spring upgrade type kit that might give a smoother more positive feel at the clutch lever?
Tom
Mike, Skid, I'll try adjusting the cable again, and recheck it for binding, in the meantime are there any kit’s out there you could recommend, I mean a clutch plate or spring upgrade type kit that might give a smoother more positive feel at the clutch lever?
Tom
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Kennesaw
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From: Farmingdale, New York
I recently installed the Screaming Eagle heavy clutch spring(320lbs I think) I get a more positive feel from the clutch now, and I really don't notice a harder pull on the lever as some say............ its a $35.00 upgrade and takes about 45 minutes(have to remove the outer primary cover, after that you remove the bolts, remove the stock spring, install the new spring and bolts and torque it down as per the manual and your good to go........ I'm happy with it...... good luck............
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