Clutch Adjustment : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

JOKERS IMPALA · 07-09-2009, 10:02 PM

Hey Im tryin to adjust the clutch on my brothers sportster and the manual really not making much sense, I know how its done on the Big Twins figured thiswould be very much the same. Its an 86 or maybe 87 poss 88 not 100% which year, the lever is almost all the way out when the clutch starts grabbing. Can anybody give better instructions on how to adjust on the sportster

JOKERS IMPALA · 07-12-2009, 05:59 PM

I just read another post about this and now am wondering is the adjustment opposite of the biig twin, instead of turning the screw in to remove all freeplay do you turn the screw out until freeplay is removed then adjust 1/2 turn in for proper adjustment then adjust cable for freeply

Dr.Hess · 07-15-2009, 11:27 AM

What part of the manual isn't making sense? "3. ...Turn the clutch adjusting screw (5) counterclockwise until free play has been removed from the screw. 4. Turn the clutch adjusting screw (5) clockwise 1/4 turn, then install the lockplate...."

Seems pretty straightforward to me. More than likely, the clutch is worn and needs replacing anyway.

JOKERS IMPALA · 07-15-2009, 11:56 AM

Dont remember exactly what the manual said but it wasnt simply turn adjuster counter clockwise till freeplay is gone and back in 1/4 turn. If it had said that I would have done that and not wasted any ones time here on the forum, but I had seen another post about a 2003 sportster that explained it like that and figured what the hell no body is responding on the forum, I figured what the hell its worth a shot and there u go it worked out. The manual for that 87 sucks, its not very clear on alot of repairs or u have to do some very close searching to find what u want, its the harley service manual so I wouldve figured itd be good with everything I need. But its done I got the exprience with the sportster now I know for next time and now on.

Mohead1 · 07-15-2009, 12:22 PM

If you watch closely you can tell or see when the freeplay is taken up on the clutch spring/pack, as it will start to compress. Then turn the opposite way 1/4 or so and lock down. Then take up freeplay in the clutch cable. You want about an 1/8 inch on the freeplay looking at the cable ferrel as you pull on the cable. You did loosen the cable all the way before adjusting the clutch, right?

Dr.Hess · 07-15-2009, 01:32 PM

I dunno what manual you have, but I have a HD 1987 Sportster manual, bought in 1987, and what I quoted is right out of there, page 6-10. I did skip over the part about loosening the cable all the way.

I'm doing the clutch on our 1987 883 right now, so this is all quite fresh in my mind. When you do a clutch job on that, you'll need the Jim's clutch compressor tool or make one. Putting the big retaining clip on had it's moments, otherwise it's pretty straight forward. Use new plates (both kinds), springs and the 25448-84a lock plate. And the plates and hub ain't cheap. I'm waiting on a new clutch cable yet, then it gets the cover on.

Mo, I don't think you can see the spring pack on these Sportsters when it is adjusting time. You are looking through the little access plug only.

JOKERS IMPALA · 07-15-2009, 02:39 PM

Well thanks for the replies, yeah I did the cable before the adjustment, I think I was looking somewhere else in the book but it said clutch adjustment I dont think it was right at the beginning, thats like I said the way that manual is setup is goofy, Ill have to look next time im over there and tell u what pages for adjustment I was looking at