clutch trouble - help! : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Jardim · 11-03-2009, 11:01 PM

Hey, buddies, what´s up?
Such a long time I don´t post here, but I´m back, and asking you to help me, please!
I´ll try to make myself as clear as possible, cause my english isn´t very good...
Two weeks ago I rode about 750km, and it was very hot, but the bike was ok.
I came back to São Paulo (BRAZIL) on sunday, and monday at night, after a pit-stop to fill my tank (belly-tank) with beer, I felt the clutch grip very hard. But after pulling it the first time it was better, but a little bit strange, stocking.
Then, every time the bike stops for 10 minutes - or all night long -, it happens again. And it´s getting worst, I think, including to change speed.
At the first time, the grip is very hard, but after that, works better, but not perfectly...
Questions:
1) do you think the cable is damaged?
2) could it be a trouble with the "easy-boy"?
3) could it be the clutch disks?
The cable is a braided, and the bike is a FXSTB Night Train 2000, with 52.000km, or 32.500 miles.
I´m a total newbie in mechanics, then I ask you to answer me as clear as possible, ok?
Thank you, dudes!!
Send you a hug! (as we do here in Brazil)
Saulo Jardim

anubisss · 11-03-2009, 11:18 PM

Has the cable ever been lubed? Has the clutch ever been adjusted? Those are a couple of things that come to mind.

JustDave71 · 11-03-2009, 11:24 PM

is the fluid good and level correct in the primary?

that's what I'd do. Lube cable, adjust clutch, and change or at least add fluid if needed, then go from there.

Jardim · 11-03-2009, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anubisss

Has the cable ever been lubed? Has the clutch ever been adjusted? Those are a couple of things that come to mind.

Thanks for answering, annubis!
By the way: What a fckn´ nice bike, bro!! Fantastic!!
The cable has been lubed, but maybe it must be again, and the clutch, do you mean the primary chain? I don.t remember, but do you think that a non-adjusted primary chain could cause the symptoms I´ve describe?
Thanks for your help, dude! If you have other things in your mind, please, let me know! I really apreciate your help!
A hug,

Saulo Jardim

Jardim · 11-03-2009, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustDave71

is the fluid good and level correct in the primary?

that's what I'd do. Lube cable, adjust clutch, and change or at least add fluid if needed, then go from there.

HI, Dave!
Tks for answering!
The primary oil is ok, so is the level. I´ve checked, and it´s fine.
I´m worried, cause here in Brazil everything is very expensive regarding HD bikes...
Tomorrow I´ll try to see a mechanic, but it would help me a lot the opinions from the guys of this forum, who I respect a lot!
Cheers!

JustDave71 · 11-04-2009, 12:05 AM

he's not talking about your primary chain

he's talking about adjusting the clutch plates to get them to mesh properly.

I'm assuming you have a manual, if not, try to get one but in the meantime you can use google and search for clutch adjustment procedure for your bike.

JustDave71 · 11-04-2009, 12:09 AM

Here is an almost fool proof method for clutch adjustment. It takes the guesswork out of the "feel" for the adjuster.
Once you have opened up the derby cover and are ready to proceed...

1)Collapse the adjuster on the cable sleeve all the way.

2)Pull the lever against the bar and hold it there with slight force.

3)Turn the pushrod adjuster bolt in while holding the lever against the bar lightly until it starts to force the lever away for some distance. (Do this more than once to get the feel). While keeping light pressure on the lever back the adjuster bolt out just until the lever touches the bar again and then another little bit, about 1/2 turn , then lock it.

4)Adjust the cable freeplay at the lever for 1/16" free play.

You should be good to go .

Always adjust the clutch on a cold bike for best results.

**It's better to adjust the clutch so that it starts to grab at least an inch or more from the bar for complete disc separation, which translates into better/quieter shifting.Using this method, you can "feel" where the lever is going to grab with a little practice.

Buy yourself a cheap 11/16 deep well socket and weld a nut on top of it. This makes the perfect tool for the adjuster lock nut. You can then use an Allen wrench inside the socket and a wrench on the nut you have just welded on. Makes it a lot simpler.

You can also see "clutch adjustment by the book" in this same forum found...

Jardim · 11-06-2009, 10:12 AM

Thank you, very much for the explanation, Dave! It certainly will help me in the future, but the trouble was the cable, wich wasn´t properly fitted, and burned at the pipe. Now I´m using a stock one, till I buy a braided from USA to change.
Thanks again.
Cheers

JustDave71 · 11-06-2009, 01:01 PM

well hey...a cable is easy!

by the way...my post above was a cut and paste, not my own. can't take credit for it.

Jardim · 11-06-2009, 05:19 PM

Hey, Dave! Sure you take credit! You searched and posted it to help me! It´s very kind from you, dude.
Thanks again!
Regards from Brazil!
Cheers

Locodave · 11-08-2009, 11:23 PM

Hi, On clutch & after the clutch adjustment, the cable adjustment. At -> http://www.ehow.com/video_2330184_ad...utch-pack.html After you adjust the clutch, do this-> http://www.ehow.com/video_2330185_ad...tch-cable.html Other how to do's there. Dave

Jardim · 11-09-2009, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locodave

Hi, On clutch & after the clutch adjustment, the cable adjustment. At -> http://www.ehow.com/video_2330184_ad...utch-pack.html After you adjust the clutch, do this-> http://www.ehow.com/video_2330185_ad...tch-cable.html Other how to do's there. Dave

Thanks, Loco!!
It´s easier than I thought. Even a newbie like me can do it!!

Cheers!!

Best Wishes, and a hug for ya!!

FXDRYDR · 11-09-2009, 07:04 AM

Those directions are right on target and it truly is very easy to do. The shop manual and the parts manual are good things to have.