Clutch!!! : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

rdubya · 03-22-2007, 04:46 PM

well i isolate my primary today

.....i take off and the bike always has lurched when stopped so i decided i would fix it as the manual i has states and well now it never completly disengages.

i made the 13/16 gap.....set the push rod 1/8 back from contact......readjusted the slack outta the cable and nothing! as soon as you put it in gear you are going there is no stopping i went ahead and rode and shifted gears (wants to hang up gotta kick it) but no stopping thats for sure...

need some info here

RidingJerry · 03-23-2007, 08:07 AM

A thought...
If it has drag all the time, even after you adjust it, then maybe you have
a bad clutch plate or something inbetween plates that causes the plates
to drag against each other instead of slipping.
Maybe you need to pull the outer primary cover, pull the clutch, then
clean and inspect the plates. Is it possible that the plate order is mixed
up and there are two friction plates against each other?
You'll need to look at the exploded view in the manual.

ROY YOUNG · 03-23-2007, 11:11 AM

springer or maine can comment on this, but the shovel clutches can act up in ways you can't understand. There's been times before I switched to a Pro Clutch that I about pulled my hair out trying to get mine right. With the 3 or even the 5 stud hub, I've at times tightened two of the nuts on the studs tighter than the other to allow the clutch to release more evenly. I bet if you will look when you release the clutch, it is releasing uneven and causing the clutch to drag. This is just another possibility.

rdubya · 03-23-2007, 12:49 PM

i doubled check the hub and plates all is well i just put a barnett wet/dry in it so i thought i might have messed it up but it is right.

its a three stud and dyour right one is couple turns more to get it even at 1 1/32" ...

there was one time in its life that it did not lurch or drag it was right after a buddy adjusted it for me....now he is farming and impossible to find ...

i might just have to wait it out?! and have hime do it!

hell of a way to spend ur bday...busted clutch and waiting on parts

thanx for the input

rdubya · 03-23-2007, 12:49 PM

one more thing....the release arm just doesn't seem like it moves very far anyone have an idea of how far it should travel when i pull in the clutch

RidingJerry · 03-23-2007, 02:53 PM

After breaking a BDl, I gave up and installed a pro clutch in my shovel.

Best money spent on her so far.
Knock on Wood!!!! But this is a very good clutch!
The belvel disc does grab a little quicker than coil springs but it
always releases and never feels like it is slipping.

ROY YOUNG · 03-23-2007, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdubya

one more thing....the release arm just doesn't seem like it moves very far anyone have an idea of how far it should travel when i pull in the clutch

The arm doesn't move very far, but did you readjust the arm position first? There is a measurement that needs to be correct between the actual release arm that your clutch cable goes into, and the transmission top. This could very well be your problem. I can't remember the correct distance between the arm and trans., but it will tell in the book. Seems like a half an inch. If the arm is adjusted too far away from the trans. top when you set the 3/16" clearance, you won't get enough overall travel.

kink04fxd · 03-23-2007, 08:43 PM

Ram Jett, installed one on my 69, world of difference.

rdubya · 03-24-2007, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROY YOUNG

The arm doesn't move very far, but did you readjust the arm position first? There is a measurement that needs to be correct between the actual release arm that your clutch cable goes into, and the transmission top. This could very well be your problem. I can't remember the correct distance between the arm and trans., but it will tell in the book. Seems like a half an inch. If the arm is adjusted too far away from the trans. top when you set the 3/16" clearance, you won't get enough overall travel.

i will look into that......the only thing i know that i did was loosen the cable and run it all the way in......loosen the lock nut on the pushrod adjusting screw(middle of the basket)......measured 13/16 arm to the round thing?!? set the cable there ........set push road screw to contact back 1/8 turn and locked it down?!

the measurement you are talking about?! i will try to look into....if you mean the point were the cable conects to the arm down to the trans i have no clue the distance or how to change it....will refer to the manual....do not think i changed it but anything is possible with me somedays...

tomorrow i am back at it till its done or its in the river...

appreciate the help

Mister Breeze · 03-24-2007, 06:40 AM

On 79 and earlier the measurement between arm and starter motor is 3/8 to 5/8

rdubya · 03-24-2007, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Breeze

On 79 and earlier the measurement between arm and starter motor is 3/8 to 5/8

sorry should have stated its an 84 fxe, getting ready to give it a go now

Mister Breeze · 03-24-2007, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdubya

sorry should have stated its an 84 fxe, getting ready to give it a go now

No sweat........good luck
Sorry can't be more help

indiankris · 03-24-2007, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdubya

one more thing....the release arm just doesn't seem like it moves very far anyone have an idea of how far it should travel when i pull in the clutch

You may have already thought of this but perharps the clutch release bearing is fubar. A release arm that has been adjusted to nearly the end of it's
travel is a likely sign of it. Also, if the bearing is toast, nothing on the clutch
can be adjusted properly. I was working on a friend's clutch who had a similar
problem to yours. I tried everything until a guy suggested the release bearing,
and lo and behold, that was the cause. Should'nt be too much trouble to replace.... Unless you have a kick, which my friend does.
Good luck,
Kris

Hillside · 03-25-2007, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdubya

well i isolate my primary today

.....i take off and the bike always has lurched when stopped so i decided i would fix it as the manual i has states and well now it never completly disengages.

i made the 13/16 gap.....set the push rod 1/8 back from contact......readjusted the slack outta the cable and nothing! as soon as you put it in gear you are going there is no stopping i went ahead and rode and shifted gears (wants to hang up gotta kick it) but no stopping thats for sure...

need some info here

When our customers have totally had it with their antique (was never up-graded from knucklehead power) system, we install a Rivera Pro-Clutch and ALL the problems and troubles are gone. I mean gone.

FL84FXWG · 03-25-2007, 11:19 AM

These old clutches when set up right are FINE and can work well!

Good upgrades that help are a Ram Jett clutch retainer.

Keeps the basket from wandering back and forth as much.

Long bearing clutch basket, evenly distributes load on bearings.

New clutch basket if studs are significantly grooved. 3 or 5 finger.

I like the 3 finger stock style better, seems to be a little easier to adjust.

I also like the Hayden M6 automatic primary chain adjuster.

You can fix this. Have patience. It's not rocket science. When you get frustrated, walk away. I see you've found www.shovelhead.us.

Between these 2 sites you should be able to do it.

Forget about the 13/16 inches. Move the lever where you can get the system to work.

Good luck.