Hi all,

I think my new (2012 model) FXST needs the clutch adjusted. When the lever is all the way in in really clunks going in to 1st gear and wants to move slightly when 1st is selected. Is the clutch adjustment on HD Softails user friendly. Shouls I attempt it myself? It's my first Harley (and my first bike).

Cheers

Piece of cake mate.....Buy a Service Manula and follow the instructions as its not complicated.

I took a look at the Youtube video and thanks. Firstly please forgive my total ignorance of clutch operation on a motorbike because I have little to no knowledge.

The video instruction looked pretty simple so I checked on my bike and the gap at the cable end and clutch lever housing is exactly 3/16ths of an inch. Now that is pretty well what was recommended in the video so on that basis the adjustment should be OK? Shouldn't it?

If that cable adjustment seems OK, why then would the clutch not quite disengage when completely squeezed in? When the bike is cold the 'CLUNK' going into 1st gear is quite Is quite pronounced. It seems to ease as the bike warms up.

But still, when the bike is in 1st gear and the clutch lever is fully disengaged (pulled in), there is still a very slight tendency for the bike to creep a bit... not a lot but it is noticeable. Is that normal and am I worried about nothing (as usual ) or is there some more complex adjustment required?

Harley's are supposed to 'clunk' into gear, just as they are real chits to get into neutral when stopped at the lights. It's the nature of the beast!

Thanks Tussuck
Well thank Christ for that... I thought it was me that was having trouble finding neutral.
I guess it isn't the 'clunk' that worries me as much as the (very) slight creep with the clutch disengaged. Is that the nature of the beast?

A little rev as you are shifting to neutral helps.

Adjust your clutch at primary

lf your not confident take it back to a harley dealer and get it looked at, buy your self a genuine workshop and parts manual read and learn. lt is not a good idea to work on your bike with out the knowledge or the tools, you dont want to damage the bike or worse, yourself.

The secrets are:
- Yes they clunk into gear often as not
- Always nudge her into neutral as your still moving when stopping at lights etc
- If you miss getting her into neutral before stopping, do not even bother trying anymore, just hold the clutch in
- If she is warmed up and in gear AND you have the clutch lever pulled in AND your creeping forward or needing to use the brake to hold you still then you need to adjust the clutch. The bit needing adjustment sits behind the cover on the left side of the bike in the primary. You WILL need a service manual.
- My bike will creep fwd a little until the primary is warmed up (say fir the first km or so) after that she is as sticky as glue and holds 110hp at bay very nicely (stock 86 clutch basically)

Just a bit of info, I thought my 09 FXST had the same issue with the clutch, all but disappeared when I installed the latest SE Compensator and changed the box oil.

Mind you I was unable (read sufficiently Harley inexperienced) to detect differences between clutch and compensator suteltites until I had about 12K's up then changed to the newer compensator.

It was around 9k's I changed gearbox oil to Mobil syn and this made a big difference, but when the bike felt "run in" at around 18K's with syn oil and SE compensator the shift "clunk" was definatley subdued to what I considered acceptable, which is really nothing.

So I would not worry to much, I would hazard a guess and say that you have not done 16 to 18K's yet, so in my humble opinion you will find a "clunk" until you are able throw a few k's on and loosen up the drive system and I would recommend a look at syn oil in the box.

Tussuck provides good operator instructions which you would be better to try first before outlaying dollars.

Good advice.....Make sure you use darn good quality Gearbox oil (search the forums here and you will find a million opinions on what brand - but basically there are only 5 or so and its a total crap shoot as to which one suits your bike and riding style - so do not be afraid to change barnds) Just do not fall into the trap of running Engine oil in the Transmission - the two 'needs' are very different.

Yep!....We just drifted a bit after supplying all the clutch info...lol

I bought my bike brand new in Feb and has now clicked over 13k. What your describing is exactly what my bike has done since new. I'm not too worried about it.

must need adjusting at the clutch it should not be doing what your discribing Crookneez.