Hard Shifting - 93 FLSTC 114k Miles

[mfiumano]

My bike generally runs really well, original engine and tranny and clutch (as far as I know, got it at 80k). Recently I have been having a problem with hard Downshifting. It seemed to me that the bike was pulling a tiny little bit when sitting at a light with the clutch pulled in, so I fully adjusted my clutch, so now the bike doesn't 'pull' anymore, but this doesn't seem to have helped much with the tough downshifting, 'maybe' a little. Upshifting is fine and smooth, but it often gets stuck trying to downshift, forcing me to have to stomp on it somewhat. Pretty much all gears, not limited to any one gear. I read somewhere that I should check my primary chain tension and belt adjustment, but I don't see how those could cause this problem. Any suggestions for next steps?

[hogg831]

....with 114k, maybe its time to take the "original" clutch plates out.

[Bluesman]

I had the same problem and the answer is:
The shifting dog in the tranny is not centered. Take the bike to a good tranny man
he will pull the top of the tranny put the bike in 3th gear and adjust
the shifter dog to be centered.
After that you will think it is a different bike because the ease of shifting
Good luck.

[mfiumano]

Awesome, thanks bluesman, I'll have to look into that, I don't think I'll be taking it to any tranny man though, I usually try to do everything myself, all mechanics say all you have to do is follow the manual and you should be fine. I'm starting to believe that they are right.

Anybody have any different ideas before I go through all the trouble of removing my tranny? other than hogg831....

[hogg831]

...................... ................no good huh?

[Bluesman]

Don't Remove the Tranny ....You remove the top plate 4 bolts and just slide
the top cover plate to the side....... (You cant remove completely)
move it to the side will give you room to get at the shifting dog
the problem is you will need a special tool to make the adjustment
it is a shorten Allen wrench. That is why I took my bike to a shop they
have the tools to do the job.
If you have the Manual for your bike then follow the instruction
on how to do the job.
Good luck

[mfiumano]

Ok, so I adjusted my Clutch and my Primary Chain Tension and also topped off the primary fluid. Still no luck. Getting stuck when trying to downshift still. It seems a bit better down shifting from 5 to 4 and 4 to 3, but 2 to 1 still jamming hard. Next steps? Gear Engagement Adjustment (3rd gear thing) from the Maunal? This adjustment doesn't require to pop the top on the tranny.

Then if that doesn't work, pop the top on tranny and check the Shifter Forks?

[Bluesman]

mifiumano
OK lets look at a few things
#1 yes you can adjust the shifting dog with out removing the top cover.
#2 what direction do you need to adjust the dog for center ?
#3 one would not take the time to remove the cover if that was not required.
#4 you need to see the location of the shifting dog. Is it forward or is it to the back?
to do that the top cover must be off
#5 without looking at the shifting dog you will not know when it is centered
and you should use a scale or some measuring device to make sure the spacing
on each end of the dog is the same on both sides.

I don't know what you level of Harley tranny repair knowledge is so I don't want to
get to deep other then.
If you are sure you want to do the adjustment the manual you spoke of
sounds as if it is not a good service manual I would suggest that you go to your local
Library and pick up a Service manual for your bike.... The ones I like best are
"Clymer" Service & repair manual (for your bike).

I took my tranny to a none Harley dealer because they are great on tranny and engine work
The job is a $40.00 job takes about 30/40 minuets if you know what you are doing and you
have the right tool

The tool problem is because the little space between the tranny and the primary case.
There is a eccentric stud that sticks out from the tranny it has a flat locking nut
on it .
The problem is the stud requires an allen type wrench to make the adjustment
and without some special grinding on the wrench there is not room to get
the wrench into the stud becouse of the primary case.

You do what is best for you, but I did see there is a ton of Cycle repair shops
in your area.
Good luck

[candubrain]

Originally Posted by mfiumano

Ok, so I adjusted my Clutch and my Primary Chain Tension and also topped off the primary fluid. Still no luck. Getting stuck when trying to downshift still. It seems a bit better down shifting from 5 to 4 and 4 to 3, but 2 to 1 still jamming hard. Next steps? Gear Engagement Adjustment (3rd gear thing) from the Maunal? This adjustment doesn't require to pop the top on the tranny.

Then if that doesn't work, pop the top on tranny and check the Shifter Forks?

Sounds identical to what happened to my 97 FLHTC with only 30K on the clock......the rivets let go in the clutch, ended up replacing everthing. BIG money.