J&P Community

After a long ride on Sunday, I noticed my clutch on my 2005 Fatboy(9,000 miles) was getting a little more difficult to shift into gears as if it wasn't engaging properly. Thinking this would be a good opportunity to adjust the clutch myself for the first time I got all of the gaskets and right gear to do the job. Took the primary or derby cover off and did the usual adjustment of the lock nut and adjustment bolt(after loosening the clutch on the cable adjustment). I did the slight tighten of the bolt then the tightening of the locknut. I adjusted the cable(thought I did it properly), and away we go right? Nope.

In Neutral the bike starts up fine, clutch feels good as far as resistance, shift it into first and it jerks and dies. Basically it's like I don't even have the clutch pulled in. Now I don't know if I did the proper adjustments on the cable adjuster or not. I would greatly appreciate the help. Like I said it just seems as if I pull in the clutch lever it should be engaged but clicking down in first kills the bike....Very frustrating and dissapointing...

Any help is greatly appreciated...Thanks in advance... 

Vike,

 You should bottom out the clutch rod adjustment, then back it out 1/8 to 1/4 turn. Sounds like you have too much play in the clutch lever/cable. Try taking some play out of the cable, you only need about 1/4 inch.

FX:

Vike,

 You should bottom out the clutch rod adjustment, then back it out 1/8 to 1/4 turn. Sounds like you have too much play in the clutch lever/cable. Try taking some play out of the cable, you only need about 1/4 inch.

 I did the "bottom out and 1/2 turn" maybe it was too much of a turn?

Also when putting slack into the cable(before adjusting the clutch rod), do I need the slack in the cable to be signifcant or just slight?

I appreciate that help!!

Vike,

 You just need 'some' slack in the cable. enough that when you bottom the clutch rod out, it doesn't take all the play out of the handle.

And yes, you came out too far with the rod adjustment. Try 1/8 turn out, then adjust the cable to about 1/4" play. You can adjust the cable from there for your comfort zone, as long as when you pull the handle all the way in, the clutch isn't dragging like it is now.

FX:

Vike,

 You just need 'some' slack in the cable. enough that when you bottom the clutch rod out, it doesn't take all the play out of the handle.

 

And yes, you came out too far with the rod adjustment. Try 1/8 turn out, then adjust the cable to about 1/4" play. You can adjust the cable from there for your comfort zone, as long as when you pull the handle all the way in, the clutch isn't dragging like it is now.

 I appreciate the help, I will mess with it tonight when I get off work. Hopefully that is the answer! I will let you kno....

Yes, let us know Vike. You shouldn't have to replace the derby cover gasket/O-ring every time you take the cover off, as long as it still looks good.

 The first time I adjusted my clutch when I "bottomed out" the adjuster, I tightened it completely than I backed it out a 1/2 turn ('96 FLSTC). You want to tighten the adjuster till it begins to get hard to turn, then back it out. That may be your problem there. Best of Luck...

 Thanks guys, appreciate it! Glad I found this forum..

 Well guys no luck for this guy. I tried all of the above and followed the service manual to the "T". It feels like I have a perfectly adjusted clutch yet it won't disengage(or is it engage) when I shift to first. My bike basically won't roll when I have it in first with the clutch in. As you tell if it's in neutral and I shift to first to take off, well jerks forward and dies....

My only idea is that the clutch cable is maybe stretched? Don't know....Any more ideas would be great..if not I guess it's off to the shop for me....

 Do the adjustment procedure, whit the derby cover off see how the inner drum moves out.  It should come a bit out when you press the lever.  Now, put first gear, bike should move a bit back and forth, now pull the lever and do the same, it should be free to move. Put the derby cover on and start the bike.  Try shifting again.  If it dies, check rods and trhowout bearing, cable.

I adjusted my clutch +100 times doing this.  The clutch is a very simple mechanism, so dont get nervous. It should take you 10 minutes as much.

I would adjust the adjuster very slightly when it just turns hard.  Thats the point for me, the result is sometimes that you need to pull more the lever to fully release but rods and T bearing suffers less. Is my opinion.

CesarElectraGlide:

 Do the adjustment procedure, whit the derby cover off see how the inner drum moves out.  It should come a bit out when you press the lever.  Now, put first gear, bike should move a bit back and forth, now pull the lever and do the same, it should be free to move. Put the derby cover on and start the bike.  Try shifting again.  If it dies, check rods and trhowout bearing, cable.

I adjusted my clutch +100 times doing this.  The clutch is a very simple mechanism, so dont get nervous. It should take you 10 minutes as much.

I would adjust the adjuster very slightly when it just turns hard.  Thats the point for me, the result is sometimes that you need to pull more the lever to fully release but rods and T bearing suffers less. Is my opinion.

 Thanks I've tried all of this. It seemed as if the clutch plate(s)/drums are moving fine. I had the bike on a stand so when I shifted it into first and held the clutch in the rear wheel still wouldn't move freely. Thanks though!

Vike,

Do a search on clutch adjustment. We just got into this extensively with mechanical problems, and what to look for.

Just found the thread, It's on page 4 right now:

Clutch Adjustment problem 89 flhtc

FX:

Vike,

Do a search on clutch adjustment. We just got into this extensively with mechanical problems, and what to look for.

Just found the thread, It's on page 4 right now:

 

Clutch Adjustment problem 89 flhtc

 Thanks appreciate it!

WOW IF what I told you didnt helped, I should quit here LOL, Darn Twin Cams!!!

CesarElectraGlide:

 

WOW IF what I told you didnt helped, I should quit here LOL, Darn Twin Cams!!!

 You guys aren't going to believe this. After going through everything and nothing working, one of my dad's friends came over after work yesterday. I hop on the bike to show him how the lever feels great but when I shift into gear it jerks and dies. Except it worked perfect. Now I can't figure this one out. Between the 15 years of being around bikes, my dad's experience, and this guy working on them his whole life we couldn't figure it out.

Now the clutch works better than ever! LOL So apparently your guys tips had me adjust the clutch to perfection. I don't know if the old oil was going bad or what? When I had first done the adjustment I switched it out with Screaming Eagle synthetic so I don't know if something was just stuck together and it took awhile for the oil to get in and loosen things up or what.

Talk about my bike making me look dumb! haha I guess the least I can take from this is gaining knowledge on clutches...

Thanks for the help guys!