Shovelhead clutch issue : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Rigid Shoveller · 10-31-2009, 03:43 PM

Hello all, i've rebuilt & repaired my 1975 Ironhead hardtail w/ the help of this forum many times, thanks again. Now a friend bought a 1977 Shovellhead which runs great. He washed it a few days ago & his clutch became extremely hard to pull in, to the point of possibally snapping the clutch cable. It has an open-style plate on the primary where you gain access to chain/belt tensioner. We removed the clutch cover on primary side and discovered about 1 1/2 to 2 in. of muck & crap almost like wet mud under the clutch. It has a belt instead of chain drive primary, wasn't it chain drive originally in 1977? He says the guy he bought it from said it has dry clutch, could all of that gunk have gotten into the clutch plates & discs & be the culprit here by making them stick together? Thanks for any help & advice

brettman · 10-31-2009, 07:21 PM

hi, is the primary cover vented

brettman · 10-31-2009, 08:23 PM

my bad,open type primary,after clean up,oil cable,if still stiff take adjuster off and check push rod in center of clutch,i,ve seen them rusted up just a few suggestions good luck brett

Jonas · 11-01-2009, 09:54 AM

If you remove the adjustment screw from the clutch push rod. Do not pull the clutch lever. It will likey knock the retaining clip off the other end of the push rod. Your throwout bearing will come apart. This will cause you some extra work.

The clutch pushrod has to come out from the kickstarter side.

brettman · 11-01-2009, 01:05 PM

your right the oil slinger and clip from the kickerside cover have to come off

Rigid Shoveller · 11-02-2009, 01:03 PM

Thanks for the advice on this, definitely helpful. We pulled the pushrod from the kicker side & it seems perfectly straight, also checked cable for binding, looks good also. Going over this evening to check pushrod in the clutch side, I'll make sure not to pull in lever while it's out. Also we'll oil the cable as mentioned. Would be great if we don't have to pull the clutch plates but will if we have to. I've removed clutch's & basket in my ironhead to replace throwout bearing & kicker gear but never on a shovel. I'll keep you all updated, thanks again.

Jonas · 11-02-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rigid Shoveller

Thanks for the advice on this, definitely helpful. We pulled the pushrod from the kicker side & it seems perfectly straight, also checked cable for binding, looks good also. Going over this evening to check pushrod in the clutch side, I'll make sure not to pull in lever while it's out. Also we'll oil the cable as mentioned. Would be great if we don't have to pull the clutch plates but will if we have to. I've removed clutch's & basket in my ironhead to replace throwout bearing & kicker gear but never on a shovel. I'll keep you all updated, thanks again.

It's not a big deal to remove the clutch plates. With that much dirt built up, you might want to. Just to make sure everthing is clean. What part of NC are in you in?

Rigid Shoveller · 11-02-2009, 03:10 PM

Thanks Jonahs, I was thinking the same thing about going ahead & cleaning them while we were at it due to the amount of sludge in the primary under the clutchs. We're in Reidsville area, just south of Danville, Va.